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Comet ¢

Researcher & Designer

March 2023 - June 2023

Team: Test

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Design an app to provide financial knowledge for UTD students and assist them with budgeting, managing student loans and credit cards.

CONTEXT

In the current economic landscape, the United States is grappling with an unprecedented level of debt, and notably, college students appear to be among those most profoundly affected by this financial challenge. As the burden of student loans continues to mount, young adults pursuing higher education often find themselves facing significant financial stressors. Despite the critical need for financial literacy education to navigate these financial hurdles effectively, college campuses often lack the necessary resources and structured programs to equip students with the knowledge and skills required for sound financial management. This context underscores the pressing necessity for comprehensive solutions that can empower college students to make informed financial decisions and mitigate the long-term consequences of the burgeoning debt crisis.

Key Fact:
- As of 2023, one out of every 10 Americans has defaulted on a student loan, and 5% of all student loan debt is currently in default.

- 30,000 college students from more than 440 schools across the country, only 53% said they felt prepared to manage their money.

- 70% of college students stressed about finances.

Finanical Literacy in Students

Financial knowledge increases with age, which would sometimes be synonymous with financial experience.“
allows
Self-efficacy” combined with financial literacy creates better financial behavior as the confidence in students allow for improved decision making.

Model of how to imrpove in Finncial Behavior
ContextResearch
Interviews
User Testing
Conclusion

WHAT ABOUT UTD STUDENTS

After interviewing 20 UTD students around the campus. We learn what we can do to help UTD students increase their financial literacy and make better financial decisions; we:

- Collected and analyzed data through secondary research.
- Interviewed multiple students to gain insight into their current financial literacy state.
 - Attended and reviewed information provided by a student focus group.
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The questions focused on how students manage their finances, and how versed they are in financial topics such as credit, budgeting, loans, and investing.

‍From these different research methods, we determined that UTD needs the most help in these areas
- Credit Cards
- Student loans
- Budgeting
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Survey Result (Click Image to See All Responses)
Voices of UTD Students
User Persona
ContextResearch
Interviews
User Testing
Conclusion

USER TESTING

During the development phase of Comet Cents, we conducted user testing employing high-fidelity paper prototypes to validate our design and assess the users' ability to create budgets, interpret financial data, and perform key functionalities. To mimic the interactive experience of a digital platform, we placed these paper prototypes on cardboard to emulate the tactile feel of a smartphone. This approach provided valuable insights into user interactions, allowing us to make informed design refinements and ensure a seamless user experience before moving into the digital implementation phase. The use of high-fidelity paper prototypes effectively bridged the gap between conceptualization and digital execution, setting a strong foundation for the application's intuitive and efficient design.
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CONCLUSION

In conclusion, working on the Comet Cents project has been an educational journey that has deepened my understanding of core user research principles and their pivotal role in developing user-centric applications. This experience has equipped me with the skills to leverage user insights effectively in creating solutions that address user needs and pain points. It underscores the importance of empathy and a user-focused approach in the design process, which will be invaluable in my future endeavors as a UX designer. Comet Cents has been a significant milestone in my professional growth, enhancing my ability to contribute to impactful, user-centered solutions for real-world challenges.
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Interfaces

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Figma Link
ContextResearch
Interviews
User Testing
Conclusion
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