Contriibia
Designing a Trusted Group Savings App
Project type: Product Design, MVP Design, Development and Branding
Role: Collaborative UX/UI Designer (1 of 3)
Industry: Fintech, Savings
Design Framework: User-centered design
Tools: Figma, FigJam, Zoom, Notion
Duration: November 2024 - January 2025
The Beginning: A Problem Worth Solving
When I joined the Contriibia project, I was drawn to its mission: to modernize a centuries-old practice—group savings. For generations, communities around the world have relied on informal systems like ROSCAs, pardnas, and esusu to pool money and support one another. But these systems, while effective, often come with challenges: lack of security, unreliable members, and manual tracking. Contriibia wanted to bring this trusted model into the digital age, making it safer, more efficient, and accessible to everyone.
The founders, Shakir and Lateef, shared their vision with our team: a platform that would not only automate group savings but also build trust among users and help them grow financially. The challenge was clear—design an app that could simplify a complex process while fostering transparency and security.
Understanding the Landscape
Before jumping into design, we needed to understand the market and the people we were designing for. We started by analyzing competitors and discovered that most existing platforms targeted regions like Africa and Latin America, where group savings are already a cultural norm. These apps focused on making the process easier and safer for users who were already familiar with the concept. Some even catered to diaspora communities, offering solutions for individuals living abroad who lacked access to traditional credit systems.
This research revealed a gap in the North American market. While traditional banks and lenders offered structured financial products, they didn’t serve individuals looking for alternative, community-based solutions.
Contriibia had an opportunity to stand out by offering something unique: a platform that combined the trust and transparency of traditional group savings with modern financial tools like credit score building.
Talking to Users: Uncovering Real Needs
To truly understand our users, we conducted interviews with potential users in the US and Canada. These conversations were eye-opening. Many people had never heard of group savings or found the concept confusing. Others were hesitant to trust strangers with their money. But one thing was clear: everyone wanted a solution that was simple, secure, and transparent.
Key insights emerged:
Trust was non-negotiable. Users needed visibility into group activity, like payment confirmations and contribution history.
Security was a top priority. Verified profiles and safeguards against defaults were critical.
Simplicity was key. Users wanted an intuitive interface and straightforward processes.
These insights became the foundation of our design decisions. We knew we had to create an app that not only worked well but also made users feel confident and in control.
All this information form our user research also allowed us to create Jamie, our user persona whom we would be designing for.
Designing with Purpose
With a clear understanding of the problem and our users’ needs, we began designing. Our goal was to create an MVP that prioritized accessibility, trust, and ease of use. Here’s how we approached it:
Onboarding: Setting the Stage
We knew that many users would be unfamiliar with group savings, so we designed an onboarding process that clearly explained the app’s purpose, benefits, and functionality. We also emphasized user safety and introduced the credit score-building feature as an added incentive.
Sign-Up: Building Trust from the Start
The sign-up process needed to be secure yet simple. We minimized the number of screens and used clear, easy-to-understand steps to build trust from the very beginning.
Group Creation: Making It Effortless
Creating a savings group should be as easy as sending a text. We designed an intuitive flow that allowed users to set up groups quickly and manage them with ease.
Trust & Rating System: Fostering Transparency
To address users’ concerns about trust, we introduced the Contriibia Score—a rating system based on on-time payments and user reviews. This feature gave users visibility into group members’ reliability, helping them feel more confident about who they were saving with.
Visual Design: Creating a Cohesive Experience
We defined the app’s visual identity, including the color palette, typography, and logo, to create a cohesive and engaging experience. The goal was to make the app feel modern, trustworthy, and approachable.
With the foundational structure in place, we progressed to high-fidelity wireframes. This phase allowed us to refine the visual details, interactions, and overall user experience, bringing the app closer to its final form.
Testing and Learning
Once we had a working prototype, we conducted usability testing to see how real users interacted with the app. The feedback was encouraging—users found the core functionalities intuitive and valuable. They appreciated the flexibility in group settings and the added benefit of credit score building.
But there were also areas for improvement. Some users found the onboarding process a bit overwhelming, and others felt the UI could be more visually engaging. We took this feedback seriously and made adjustments to improve clarity and visual appeal.
Implementing Feedback & Finalizing the Design
The insights gathered from user feedback guided key improvements to the app.
Onboarding Clarity: While users completed onboarding successfully, enhancement to navigation cues and providing clearer explanations of community benefits and group savings are needed to ensure users fully understand the platform’s value from the start.
Group Features & Financial Details: Customization options were well-received, but we need to improve wording around contribution amounts, insurance, and fees to ensure users feel fully informed.
Visual Appeal & modernization: While users appreciated the app’s functionality, feedback indicated that the UI felt outdated and lacked visual engagement. A need for refreshing the design with modern aesthetics, vibrant visuals, and a more dynamic layout are needed to create an inviting and enjoyable user experience.
The Outcome: A Strong Foundation
The final MVP prototype was well-received by the client. It addressed core user needs and laid a strong foundation for future iterations. While the MVP was a significant milestone, we knew there was still room to grow. The client had big plans for the future, including new features and enhancements to further differentiate Contriibia in the market.
Reflection: Lessons Learned
This project taught me the importance of defining scope and prioritizing features for an MVP. Working with clients unfamiliar with UX/UI design, I learned to clearly communicate the boundaries of my role and focus on delivering a user-centered solution. By guiding the client to prioritize core functionalities, we were able to move quickly into testing and iteration, ensuring the final product aligned with both user needs and business goals.
What’s Next?
While the MVP is a strong start, there’s always room to grow. Future iterations could focus on:
Enhancing onboarding clarity and visual appeal.
Refining the dashboard for better engagement.
Adding new features to further differentiate Contriibia in the market.