Tap to pay
Imagine being able to send money to someone that is standing in front of you just by tapping on each others phones. I'll walk you through my process when this task was given to me while I was working at Emirates National Bank of Dubai.
Role
Product Designer
Task
Research, Design and Testing
Duration
2 weeks
Empathize
Researching Users' Needs
To start the design process, I immersed myself in understanding the needs and behaviors of ENBD X users. I conducted user interviews and meetings with the business in order to identify pain points, and expectations. Observing real-world usage and gathering feedback allowed me to empathize with their experiences, particularly in how they interact with digital payment solutions and what they value most in a seamless transaction experience.
Define
Stating Users' Needs and Problems
With a deep understanding of the user, I moved on to defining the core problem: How can ENBD X offer a frictionless and secure tap-to-pay experience that caters to the unique needs of its user base? I analyzed the collected data and identified the main challenges, such as security concerns and the need for cross-platform compatibility, which became the foundation for our problem statement.
Ideate
Challenging Assumptions and Creating Ideas
In the ideation phase, I brainstormed multiple solutions with a focus on enhancing user convenience and security. I explored different ways to simplify the payment process while incorporating advanced security features tailored to ENBD’s banking environment. I also considered business objectives, such as increasing user adoption and ensuring the feature aligned with ENBD's overall digital strategy.
Design
Creating Solutions
After narrowing down the best ideas, I transitioned to the design phase. I focused on crafting an intuitive user interface that mirrored the simplicity of Apple's Tap to Pay, but with distinct features that addressed the specific needs of ENBD users. I paid special attention to creating a smooth, minimalistic design that facilitated ease of use while ensuring users felt secure throughout the payment process for both sender and beneficiary.
Prototyping and Testing
Validating the Design
Finally, I built a high-fidelity prototype of the Tap to Pay feature, which I tested with a select group of users to gather feedback. The prototype allowed me to simulate the user experience, validate design decisions, and make iterative improvements. By testing in real-world scenarios, I was able to refine the feature further, ensuring it was both functional and delightful before moving into development.
Conclusion
Reflecting on this project, I thoroughly enjoyed every stage of the design thinking process, from empathizing with users to prototyping the final solution. Each phase brought its own challenges and rewards, allowing me to dive deep into user needs, problem-solving, and creative design. It was incredibly fulfilling to see how each step built upon the last, culminating in a feature that not only meets business objectives but also enhances the user experience. This project reaffirmed my passion for product design and my commitment to creating solutions that truly resonate with users.