Econos Invest Journey
Redesign of the investment process for subscription based green shares.
Client:
Pelion Green Future
My Role:
UX/UI Designer
Product:
Subscription Portal
Year:
2022
Introduction
Econos, an innovative startup under the Arvantis Group, envisioned democratizing the green investment sphere by offering alternative investment opportunities to private investors. With a backbone of blockchain technology, Econos tokenized these opportunities, digitizing the entire investment process. Initially managed by an external service provider, the investment process was not user-friendly and required optimization. My role was to delve into this process, conduct a thorough analysis, and redesign the user journey to be more intuitive and aligned with the digital nature of the services. However, despite the progress and a successful user testing phase, the project had to be discontinued in April 2023 due to regulatory repercussions from BaFin.
Problem Analysis
The journey began with a comprehensive competitive analysis to identify market standards and the pain points in Econos' existing investment process. This analysis provided a clearer understanding of the gaps and the areas where Econos lagged behind, especially in terms of user interface and user experience. For instance, the lack of intuitive navigation and a cumbersome onboarding process were identified as major hurdles in attracting and retaining investors.
Design Process
Transitioning from insights to action, I embarked on the iterative design process. Initially, sketching and wireframing were utilized to visualize the improved process, followed by the creation of interactive prototypes. These prototypes aimed at simplifying the process and making it more engaging for the investors. The highlight was a simplified step-by-step investment wizard designed to guide users effortlessly through the investment process.
User Testing
Before moving towards implementation, it was crucial to validate the design solutions with real users. Conducting user tests provided essential feedback, most of which were positive, affirming the enhancements made towards a more user-friendly investment process. This phase was crucial as it not only validated the design but also provided insights for any further refinements.
Preparation for Implementation
Armed with positive feedback from the user tests, the project was poised for implementation. The designs were finalized and ready to be translated into a live environment. Yet, the unexpected regulatory challenges led to a premature halt of the project, leaving the implementation phase unfulfilled.
Unique Features of Econos
Econos stood out for its unique blend of financial and ecological interests, offering a range of green investment opportunities. Whether it was a venture capital fund focused on climate technology or forest investments, Econos had a diversified portfolio aiming to align financial gains with ecological sustainability.
Conclusion
The Econos project, despite its untimely conclusion, was a rich learning venture. It underscored the importance of user-centric design in enhancing digital investment platforms and provided a real-world scenario of navigating through regulatory landscapes. The experience has not only enriched my expertise in Design Systems but also underscored the essence of adaptability and readiness to pivot in response to external challenges in the design journey.
