A tool to help current and incoming college students understand budgeting and goal-setting fundamentals for success in college and beyond.

A tool to help current and incoming college students understand budgeting and goal-setting fundamentals for success in college and beyond.

Project Overview

Fundify's Background Story

Fundify's Background Story

I never fully understood the importance of saving money at a young age. Learning about the value of money isn’t often taught in depth, it’s sometimes touched upon briefly.


My inspiration in learning how to save money came from friends and my family. When I was adjusting to high school and college, I didn’t understand how hard it would be to save money, or how important understanding the fundamentals would be when you got older.


My final project focuses on developing issues I've dealt with as a student who lived on campus. Research indicates that more than 40 percent of students are still not equipped with adequate financial literacy knowledge and skills. EBSCO


Here comes the most important question:

How can I help students understand and learn the fundamentals of budgeting and goal setting before a problem arises?

I never fully understood the importance of saving money at a young age. Learning about the value of money isn’t often taught in depth, it’s sometimes touched upon briefly.


My inspiration in learning how to save money came from friends and my family. When I was adjusting to high school and college, I didn’t understand how hard it would be to save money, or how important understanding the fundamentals would be when you got older.


My final project focuses on developing issues I've dealt with as a student who lived on campus. Research indicates that more than 40 percent of students are still not equipped with adequate financial literacy knowledge and skills. EBSCO


Here comes the most important question:

How can I help students understand and learn the fundamentals of budgeting and goal setting before a problem arises?

I never fully understood the importance of saving money at a young age. Learning about the value of money isn’t often taught in depth, it’s sometimes touched upon briefly.


My inspiration in learning how to save money came from friends and my family. When I was adjusting to high school and college, I didn’t understand how hard it would be to save money, or how important understanding the fundamentals would be when you got older.


My final project focuses on developing issues I've dealt with as a student who lived on campus. Research indicates that more than 40 percent of students are still not equipped with adequate financial literacy knowledge and skills. EBSCO


Here comes the most important question:

How can I help students understand and learn the fundamentals of budgeting and goal setting before a problem arises?

Timeline
Timeline
Timeline

August 2023 - May 2024

August 2023 - May 2024

August 2023 - May 2024

Team Members

Team Members

Team Members

Manuela Mensah

Manuela Mensah

Manuela Mensah

Role

Role

Role

UI/UX Designer

User Experience Researcher

UI/UX Designer

User Experience Researcher

UI/UX Designer

User Experience Researcher

Tools

Tools

Tools

Figma

Photoshop

Illustrator

InDesign

Figma

Photoshop

Illustrator

InDesign

Figma

Photoshop

Illustrator

InDesign

The importance & what we wanted to achieve:

The importance & what we wanted to achieve:

Problem Statement & Objectives

Problem Statement & Objectives

the discovery

the discovery

the discovery

The Problem

The Problem

The Problem

College students aren’t being taught or informed about financial literacy. Students look into learning about the importance of financing when a problem arises.


This results in students not knowing or understanding the basic financial skills to succeed in college and prepare themselves afterward.

College students aren’t being taught or informed about financial literacy. Students look into learning about the importance of financing when a problem arises.


This results in students not knowing or understanding the basic financial skills to succeed in college and prepare themselves afterward.

College students aren’t being taught or informed about financial literacy. Students look into learning about the importance of financing when a problem arises.


This results in students not knowing or understanding the basic financial skills to succeed in college and prepare themselves afterward.

Key focus

Key focus

Key focus

Project Goals

Project Goals

Project Goals

  1. Designing a educational tool for current and incoming students


  2. Enhance students financial knowledge and skills


  3. Make the application fun but informative!



  1. Designing a educational tool for current and incoming students


  2. Enhance students financial knowledge and skills


  3. Make the application fun but informative!

  1. Designing a educational tool for current and incoming students


  2. Enhance students financial knowledge and skills


  3. Make the application fun but informative!



The Solution

The Solution

What is Fundify?

What is Fundify?

What is Fundify?

A mobile application designed for college, and incoming students aiming to educate them on financial responsibility and saving strategies.


The app provides organizational tools such as goal-setting and budgeting features to help support students future success beyond their collegiate year.

A mobile application designed for college, and incoming students aiming to educate them on financial responsibility and saving strategies.


The app provides organizational tools such as goal-setting and budgeting features to help support students future success beyond their collegiate year.

Data Overview - Research

Data Overview - Research

How'd we first discover the problem?

How'd we first discover the problem?

How'd we first discover the problem?

The first task was to gather topics of interest that fell into a category of being Disrupting, Optimizing, Expressing, Connecting or Empowering. These categories allowed me to understand the impact the product I wanted to create will have.

The first task was to gather topics of interest that fell into a category of being Disrupting, Optimizing, Expressing, Connecting or Empowering. These categories allowed me to understand the impact the product I wanted to create will have.

Reduce concert ticket purchase stress.

Teach college students the importance of budgeting.

Help students prioritize their mental health.

RESEARCH

RESEARCH

The first topic I chose was 'discovering the financial impact college payments have on students' mental health'.

I gathered and analyzed data to focus and refine my initial problem.

The first topic I chose was 'discovering the financial impact college payments have on students' mental health'.

I gathered and analyzed data to focus and refine my initial problem.

The first topic I chose was 'discovering the financial impact college payments have on students' mental health'.

I gathered and analyzed data to focus and refine my initial problem.

research - data overview

research - data overview

research - data overview

Survey Data - Financial Impact on Mental Health

Survey Data - Financial Impact on Mental Health

Survey Data - Financial Impact on Mental Health

When approaching the creation of surveys I wanted to focus and better understand students’ current knowledge on finances and their interest in improving it.


  • From 54 Responses, the data revealed a disinterest in seeking out existing financial apps to help them improve their current budgeting skills. The question I asked myself after was why?


  • Students found learning about finances to be boring and uninteresting and they saw this as something to worry and learn about later on in life.

When approaching the creation of surveys I wanted to focus and better understand students’ current knowledge on finances and their interest in improving it.


  • From 54 Responses, the data revealed a disinterest in seeking out existing financial apps to help them improve their current budgeting skills. The question I asked myself after was why?


  • Students found learning about finances to be boring and uninteresting and they saw this as something to worry and learn about later on in life.

When approaching the creation of surveys I wanted to focus and better understand students’ current knowledge on finances and their interest in improving it.


  • From 54 Responses, the data revealed a disinterest in seeking out existing financial apps to help them improve their current budgeting skills. The question I asked myself after was why?


  • Students found learning about finances to be boring and uninteresting and they saw this as something to worry and learn about later on in life.

58.1%

58.1%

of students Strongly Disagreed in seeking out different apps and resources to improve their budgeting skills

60.5%

60.5%

of students Strongly Agreed that increasing their knowledge about budgeting could help improve their money management

Neutral

Neutral

Neutral

Agree

Agree

Agree

Disagree

Disagree

Disagree

Strongly Agree

Strongly Agree

Strongly Agree

Strongly Disagree

Strongly Disagree

Strongly Disagree

research - interviews

research - interviews

research - interviews

Interview Feedback:

Interview Feedback:

Interview Feedback:

When conducting interviews I wanted to focus on understanding what features would influence students to utilize a technological tool. From the 6 interviews, I wanted to focus on getting a better understanding of their current knowledge on financial literacy and if they've ever looked into ways to improve their knowledge.

When conducting interviews I wanted to focus on understanding what features would influence students to utilize a technological tool. From the 6 interviews, I wanted to focus on getting a better understanding of their current knowledge on financial literacy and if they've ever looked into ways to improve their knowledge.

When conducting interviews I wanted to focus on understanding what features would influence students to utilize a technological tool. From the 6 interviews, I wanted to focus on getting a better understanding of their current knowledge on financial literacy and if they've ever looked into ways to improve their knowledge.

My Findings:

My Findings:

My Findings:

Only two out of the six students had some form of strategies they follow and budgeting knowledge.

Only two out of the six students had some form of strategies they follow and budgeting knowledge.

Only two out of the six students had some form of strategies they follow and budgeting knowledge.

Student 1

"I don't keep track of my money. I check to see if I have enough money to pay for school and I do whatever with the rest of my money. "

"I don't keep track of my money. I check to see if I have enough money to pay for school and I do whatever with the rest of my money. "

"I don't keep track of my money. I check to see if I have enough money to pay for school and I do whatever with the rest of my money. "

Student 2

I have a hard time budgeting the money, but I haven't looked into resources to help me out.

I have a hard time budgeting the money, but I haven't looked into resources to help me out.

I have a hard time budgeting the money, but I haven't looked into resources to help me out.

RESEARCH

After conducting interviews and surveys, I refined the proposed solution and the problem statement.

After conducting interviews and surveys, I refined the proposed solution and the problem statement.

RESEARCH

RESEARCH

The Proposed Solution

The Proposed Solution

The Proposed Solution

Designing a mobile application, Fundify. An easily accessible application that focuses on monitoring students' finances which includes income and expenses.

Designing a mobile application, Fundify. An easily accessible application that focuses on monitoring students' finances which includes income and expenses.

Designing a mobile application, Fundify. An easily accessible application that focuses on monitoring students' finances which includes income and expenses.

  • Users can set up financial goals, keep track of upcoming payments, and receive timely reminders for upcoming purchases.


  • This application will help provide students with tips regarding their current financial status.


  • Our main goal is to help provide students with a convenient and practical tool for them to learn and manage their financial responsibilities effectively while also incorporating a list of resources to further understand and learn more information.

  • Users can set up financial goals, keep track of upcoming payments, and receive timely reminders for upcoming purchases.


  • This application will help provide students with tips regarding their current financial status.


  • Our main goal is to help provide students with a convenient and practical tool for them to learn and manage their financial responsibilities effectively while also incorporating a list of resources to further understand and learn more information.

  • Users can set up financial goals, keep track of upcoming payments, and receive timely reminders for upcoming purchases.


  • This application will help provide students with tips regarding their current financial status.


  • Our main goal is to help provide students with a convenient and practical tool for them to learn and manage their financial responsibilities effectively while also incorporating a list of resources to further understand and learn more information.

Research - target audience

Research - target audience

Research - target audience

Our Potential Users

Our Potential Users

Our Potential Users

After conducting interviews and surveys, I discovered my top three users: New Budgeters, Intermediate Budgeters, and Advanced Budgeters.


The three represent college students who are either unfamiliar with budgeting and have no care for it, a student who has some form of knowledge for budgeting, and a student who is familiar with with the budgeting scene.

After conducting interviews and surveys, I discovered my top three users: New Budgeters, Intermediate Budgeters, and Advanced Budgeters.


The three represent college students who are either unfamiliar with budgeting and have no care for it, a student who has some form of knowledge for budgeting, and a student who is familiar with with the budgeting scene.

After conducting interviews and surveys, I discovered my top three users: New Budgeters, Intermediate Budgeters, and Advanced Budgeters.


The three represent college students who are either unfamiliar with budgeting and have no care for it, a student who has some form of knowledge for budgeting, and a student who is familiar with with the budgeting scene.

New Budgeter

New Budgeter

Students completely new to budgeting, with minor knowledge about financial literacy

Students completely new to budgeting, with minor knowledge about financial literacy

Intermediate Budgeter

Intermediate Budgeter

Students with some form of knowledge on goal setting and creating budgets.

Students with some form of knowledge on goal setting and creating budgets.

Advanced Budgeters

Advanced Budgeters

Students who are familiar with financial literacy but still want to keep track of everything

Students who are familiar with financial literacy but still want to keep track of everything

research - WHO IS FUNDIFY FOR?

research - WHO IS FUNDIFY FOR?

research - WHO IS FUNDIFY FOR?

Personas

Personas

Personas

When creating Fundify, I focused on Sophia the New Budgeter and Leo the Unknown Budgeter. Both students know about budgeting but they don't care for it.


From surveys and interviews I discovered only a few amount of students had a budget or financial literacy knowledge. I wanted the walkthrough of the application to focus on a student who is new to budgeting.

When creating Fundify, I focused on Sophia the New Budgeter and Leo the Unknown Budgeter. Both students know about budgeting but they don't care for it.


From surveys and interviews I discovered only a few amount of students had a budget or financial literacy knowledge. I wanted the walkthrough of the application to focus on a student who is new to budgeting.

FINALIZING MY SOLUTION - Research

FINALIZING MY SOLUTION - Research

Designing a mobile application for current college students and incoming students to understand the fundamentals of budgeting and goal-setting.

Designing a mobile application for current college students and incoming students to understand the fundamentals of budgeting and goal-setting.

research - Competition

research - Competition

research - Competition

Competitive Analysis

Competitive Analysis

Competitive Analysis

I analyzed current applications core features and weaknesses. I wanted to discover what current users liked and disliked about them and sought to see if college students have used them before.

I analyzed current applications core features and weaknesses. I wanted to discover what current users liked and disliked about them and sought to see if college students have used them before.

I analyzed current applications core features and weaknesses. I wanted to discover what current users liked and disliked about them and sought to see if college students have used them before.

UI WORKFLOW

UI WORKFLOW

Understanding and developing the UI Workflow

Understanding and developing the UI Workflow

Design process - key chapters

Design process - key chapters

Design process - key chapters

Identifying important chapters and key features

Identifying important chapters and key features

Identifying important chapters and key features

I analyzed current applications core features and weaknesses. I wanted to discover what current users liked and disliked about them and sought to see if college students have used them before.

I analyzed current applications core features and weaknesses. I wanted to discover what current users liked and disliked about them and sought to see if college students have used them before.

I analyzed current applications core features and weaknesses. I wanted to discover what current users liked and disliked about them and sought to see if college students have used them before.

design process - information architecture

design process - information architecture

design process - information architecture

Information Architecture - Create a Budget & Goal

Information Architecture - Create a Budget & Goal

Information Architecture - Create a Budget & Goal

The Information Architecture explained the user requirements and workflow when using the application. These were different features a user would and can access when creating a budget in fundify or creating a budget.

The Information Architecture explained the user requirements and workflow when using the application. These were different features a user would and can access when creating a budget in fundify or creating a budget.

design process - USER FLOW

design process - USER FLOW

design process - USER FLOW

User Flow - Create a Budget

User Flow - Create a Budget

User Flow - Create a Budget

Create a Budget is one of the most important features. It allows users to analyze their spending habits and income to create a personalized weekly budget.

Create a Budget is one of the most important features. It allows users to analyze their spending habits and income to create a personalized weekly budget.

Create a Budget is one of the most important features. It allows users to analyze their spending habits and income to create a personalized weekly budget.

Below shows how a user would access the onboarding process for Create a Budget. Once completed they're able to earn and add a badge to their collection.

Below shows how a user would access the onboarding process for Create a Budget. Once completed they're able to earn and add a badge to their collection.

Below shows how a user would access the onboarding process for Create a Budget. Once completed they're able to earn and add a badge to their collection.

design process - sitemap

design process - sitemap

design process - sitemap

Site Map Development

Site Map Development

Site Map Development

The sitemap allowed me to understand the main pages Fundify has to offer and the features a user would come across when using the application.

The sitemap allowed me to understand the main pages Fundify has to offer and the features a user would come across when using the application.

The sitemap allowed me to understand the main pages Fundify has to offer and the features a user would come across when using the application.

design process - sketches

design process - sketches

design process - sketches

Initial Design Ideas

Initial Design Ideas

Initial Design Ideas

Fundify underwent plentiful design iterations to achieve it’s final design. The sketches focused heavily on different features students would utilize or would look for in a budgeting application based on survey results.

Fundify underwent plentiful design iterations to achieve it’s final design. The sketches focused heavily on different features students would utilize or would look for in a budgeting application based on survey results.

Fundify underwent plentiful design iterations to achieve it’s final design. The sketches focused heavily on different features students would utilize or would look for in a budgeting application based on survey results.

design process - Grayscale Wireframes

design process - Grayscale Wireframes

design process - Grayscale Wireframes

Grayscale Wireframes

Grayscale Wireframes

Grayscale Wireframes

When transforming my sketches into grayscale wireframes, I looked at what would work with an application like the one I'm building. I asked college students for their opinions and wanted to see if the pages and features made sense to them.

When transforming my sketches into grayscale wireframes, I looked at what would work with an application like the one I'm building. I asked college students for their opinions and wanted to see if the pages and features made sense to them.

When transforming my sketches into grayscale wireframes, I looked at what would work with an application like the one I'm building. I asked college students for their opinions and wanted to see if the pages and features made sense to them.

Iteration - user testing

Iteration - user testing

Iteration - user testing

Usability Testing — Mid Fidelity & Hi-Fidelity

Usability Testing — Mid Fidelity & Hi-Fidelity

Usability Testing — Mid Fidelity & Hi-Fidelity

When conducting user testing I made sure to keep track of issues students dealt with in the Mid-Fidelity and the Hi-Fidelity. I wanted the process to be smooth and easy for them.


  • Are users able to access the onboarding without any problems?

  • Is Create a Budget Helpful?

  • Do they like the badges?

When conducting user testing I made sure to keep track of issues students dealt with in the Mid-Fidelity and the Hi-Fidelity. I wanted the process to be smooth and easy for them.


  • Are users able to access the onboarding without any problems?

  • Is Create a Budget Helpful?

  • Do they like the badges?

When conducting user testing I made sure to keep track of issues students dealt with in the Mid-Fidelity and the Hi-Fidelity. I wanted the process to be smooth and easy for them.


  • Are users able to access the onboarding without any problems?

  • Is Create a Budget Helpful?

  • Do they like the badges?

UI WORKFLOW

UI WORKFLOW

Walkthrough of Fundify — Hi-Fidelity

Walkthrough of Fundify — Hi-Fidelity

Hi-Fidelity Wireframes

Hi-Fidelity Wireframes

Hi-Fidelity Wireframes

Accessing Fundify

Accessing Fundify

Accessing Fundify

Users are able to sign up regularly for a Fundify account.


They can choose whether they are a Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced Budgeter.

Users can choose a color for their sprite character to help them along their journey

Users are able to sign up regularly for a Fundify account.


They can choose whether they are a Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced Budgeter.

Users can choose a color for their sprite character to help them along their journey

Users are able to sign up regularly for a Fundify account.


They can choose whether they are a Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced Budgeter.

Users can choose a color for their sprite character to help them along their journey

Hi-Fidelity Wireframes

Hi-Fidelity Wireframes

Hi-Fidelity Wireframes

Create a Goal

Create a Goal

Create a Goal

Goals are created and ensured to help users stay motivated to complete and earn badges.

Goals are created and ensured to help users stay motivated to complete and earn badges.

Goals are created and ensured to help users stay motivated to complete and earn badges.

Hi-Fidelity Wireframes

Hi-Fidelity Wireframes

Hi-Fidelity Wireframes

Tips & Tricks

Tips & Tricks

Tips & Tricks

A way for students to share tips with one another regarding their strategies.


Challenges allow users to earn badges and improve their budgeting and goal setting.

A way for students to share tips with one another regarding their strategies.


Challenges allow users to earn badges and improve their budgeting and goal setting.

A way for students to share tips with one another regarding their strategies.


Challenges allow users to earn badges and improve their budgeting and goal setting.

Hi-Fidelity Wireframes

Hi-Fidelity Wireframes

Hi-Fidelity Wireframes

Badges

Badges

Badges

Users are able to see the badges they’ve earned and can continue to earn more by completing challenges in the Tips & Tricks section. Or through onboarding.

Users are able to see the badges they’ve earned and can continue to earn more by completing challenges in the Tips & Tricks section. Or through onboarding.

Users are able to see the badges they’ve earned and can continue to earn more by completing challenges in the Tips & Tricks section. Or through onboarding.

Hi-Fidelity Wireframes

Hi-Fidelity Wireframes

Hi-Fidelity Wireframes

Spending Habits

Spending Habits

Spending Habits

Users are able to identify their current spending habits for the week and see where they've spent the most money on. They can analyze their purchases when they click each bar.

Users are able to identify their current spending habits for the week and see where they've spent the most money on. They can analyze their purchases when they click each bar.

Users are able to identify their current spending habits for the week and see where they've spent the most money on. They can analyze their purchases when they click each bar.

Hi-Fidelity Wireframes

Hi-Fidelity Wireframes

Hi-Fidelity Wireframes

Transactions

Transactions

Transactions

Students can create categories to analyze and view their weekly or monthly transactions.

Students can create categories to analyze and view their weekly or monthly transactions.

Students can create categories to analyze and view their weekly or monthly transactions.

Reflection - Challenges

Reflection - Challenges

Reflection - Challenges

Top Challenges we needed to address

Top Challenges we needed to address

Top Challenges we needed to address

Challenge #1

Maintaining student engagement and decreasing/minimizing abandonment.

Maintaining student engagement and decreasing/minimizing abandonment.

Maintaining student engagement and decreasing/minimizing abandonment.

Challenge #2

Creating a simple and easy interface for students to navigate through without any hassles.

Creating a simple and easy interface for students to navigate through without any hassles.

Creating a simple and easy interface for students to navigate through without any hassles.

Challenge #3

Implement gamification strategies to motivate students to help them complete financial goals and monitor their spending habits.

Implement gamification strategies to motivate students to help them complete financial goals and monitor their spending habits.

Implement gamification strategies to motivate students to help them complete financial goals and monitor their spending habits.

Ongoing Challenge #4

Ongoing Challenge #4

Designing Fundify to be approachable students with different levels of budgeting experience.

Designing Fundify to be approachable students with different levels of budgeting experience.

Designing Fundify to be approachable students with different levels of budgeting experience.

Reflection - solved challenges

Reflection - solved challenges

Reflection - solved challenges

How'd I solve the Challenges?

How'd I solve the Challenges?

How'd I solve the Challenges?

Solving Challenge #1

I spoke with one of my peers and we searched up current design trends and popular color palettes for Gen Z. We thought having a colorful palette aside from a muted green would be the best decision and will gather students' interest.

I spoke with one of my peers and we searched up current design trends and popular color palettes for Gen Z. We thought having a colorful palette aside from a muted green would be the best decision and will gather students' interest.

Solving Challenge #2

After testing on current students I made sure that the application was simple and straight-forward. I didn't want students to deal with difficult interfaces. I made sure the key features could be discovered easily and quickly!

After testing on current students I made sure that the application was simple and straight-forward. I didn't want students to deal with difficult interfaces. I made sure the key features could be discovered easily and quickly!

Solving Challenge #3

I added a feature where students are able to win badges and unlock different colors for their Sprite character. I wanted the process of learning about budgeting and goal setting to be fun for students and researched gamification strategies from current applications such as, Duolingo.

I added a feature where students are able to win badges and unlock different colors for their Sprite character. I wanted the process of learning about budgeting and goal setting to be fun for students and researched gamification strategies from current applications such as, Duolingo.

Ongoing Challenge #4
Coming Soon

Ongoing Challenge #4
Coming Soon

This is still an ongoing challenge! For the future I'd like to add different methods for students with different levels of budgeting experience.

This is still an ongoing challenge! For the future I'd like to add different methods for students with different levels of budgeting experience.

Reflection - Key Takeaways

Reflection - Key Takeaways

Reflection - Key Takeaways

What I Learned:

What I Learned:

What I Learned:

Throughout the iteration of Fundify I learned a lot more tips about Fundify and the importance an application like this will have on those who want to learn how to save their money and create goals.


I would like to explore the possibility of creating additional screens and features for Fundify. The current application was solely designed for users who are new to budgeting and have never explored it before. I’d work on developing screens tailored for users who already have some level of financial knowledge. I want to focus on further analyzing the features of the current application. I want users to learn and understand how budgeting and goal setting can help them in the future.

Throughout the iteration of Fundify I learned a lot more tips about Fundify and the importance an application like this will have on those who want to learn how to save their money and create goals.


I would like to explore the possibility of creating additional screens and features for Fundify. The current application was solely designed for users who are new to budgeting and have never explored it before. I’d work on developing screens tailored for users who already have some level of financial knowledge. I want to focus on further analyzing the features of the current application. I want users to learn and understand how budgeting and goal setting can help them in the future.

Throughout the iteration of Fundify I learned a lot more tips about Fundify and the importance an application like this will have on those who want to learn how to save their money and create goals.


I would like to explore the possibility of creating additional screens and features for Fundify. The current application was solely designed for users who are new to budgeting and have never explored it before. I’d work on developing screens tailored for users who already have some level of financial knowledge. I want to focus on further analyzing the features of the current application. I want users to learn and understand how budgeting and goal setting can help them in the future.

View PDF

View PDF

Let’s Connect!

Always open to connect & if you like any of these projects, please don't hesitate to reach out!


© 2025 Manuela Mensah

Let’s Connect!

Always open to connect & if you like any of these projects, please don't hesitate to reach out!


© 2025 Manuela Mensah

Let’s Connect!

Always open to connect & if you like any of these projects, please don't hesitate to reach out!


© 2025 Manuela Mensah