Shiga — April 2022
Shiga — April 2022
Shiga — April 2022
Building a Solution Stack to make Cross-border Payments for Africans.
Building a Solution Stack to make Cross-border Payments for Africans.
Building a Solution Stack to make Cross-border Payments for Africans.
My Role
Lead Product Designer
My Role
Lead Product Designer
My Role
Lead Product Designer
Timeline
6 months - Launched in August '23
Timeline
6 months - Launched in August '23
Timeline
6 months - Launched in August '23
Platform
IOS & Android
Platform
IOS & Android
Platform
IOS & Android
Tools
Tools
Tools
Overview
Overview
Shiga is a mobile payment app that makes it easier for Africans to make cross-border payments.
I was the Lead/Founding Designer of this project, and I played a crucial role in shaping its design direction. My role involved delivering a vibrant design system (confidential), user-flows, interfaces, and occasional "meets' with developers along product development.
Shiga is a mobile payment app that makes it easier for Africans to make cross-border payments.
I was the Lead/Founding Designer of this project, and I played a crucial role in shaping its design direction. My role involved delivering a vibrant design system (confidential), user-flows, interfaces, and occasional "meets' with developers along product development.
Overview
Shiga is a mobile payment app that makes it easier for Africans to make cross-border payments.
I was the Lead/Founding Designer of this project, and I played a crucial role in shaping its design direction. My role involved delivering a vibrant design system (confidential), user-flows, interfaces, and occasional "meets' with developers along product development.
1.0
A showcase of some of the final designs
You don't like reading process documentations?
Let's Identify what we already know..
There is an existing market gap for an app that makes cross-border payments seamless and accessible for Africans that has been gathered from social media and also reviews from the App and Play store. I was able to outline the some common insights;
Limited Access to FX
The limited access to FX (foreign exchange) & unregulated currency devaluation decreases the value of payments.
Complex Transaction Flows
There is not a wide ranges of methods implemented to make deposits and withdrawal.
Security Concerns
Fraud and scams amongst other security challenges & schemes are rapidly diminishing credibility, trust and fidelity on most platforms
Hidden Fees and Charges
Already existing solutions has taken advantage of hidden fees and inflated charges for processing payments.
Let's Identify what we already know..
There is an existing market gap for an app that makes cross-border payments seamless and accessible for Africans that has been gathered from social media and also reviews from the App and Play store. I was able to outline the some common insights;
Limited Access to FX
The limited access to FX (foreign exchange) & unregulated currency devaluation decreases the value of payments.
Complex Transaction Flows
There is not a wide ranges of methods implemented to make deposits and withdrawal.
Security Concerns
Fraud and scams amongst other security challenges & schemes are rapidly diminishing credibility, trust and fidelity on most platforms
Hidden Fees and Charges
Already existing solutions has taken advantage of hidden fees and inflated charges for processing payments.
Let's Identify what we already know..
There is an existing market gap for an app that makes cross-border payments seamless and accessible for Africans that has been gathered from social media and also reviews from the App and Play store. I was able to outline the some common insights;
Limited Access to FX
The limited access to FX (foreign exchange) & unregulated currency devaluation decreases the value of payments.
Complex Transaction Flows
There is not a wide ranges of methods implemented to make deposits and withdrawal.
Security Concerns
Fraud and scams amongst other security challenges & schemes are rapidly diminishing credibility, trust and fidelity on most platforms
Hidden Fees and Charges
Already existing solutions has taken advantage of hidden fees and inflated charges for processing payments.
Exploring opportunities with existing solutions
They are solutions currently available in the market we can learn from. So I carried out a competitive analysis to identify areas of opportunities to leverage on.
Exploring opportunities with existing solutions
They are solutions currently available in the market we can learn from. So I carried out a competitive analysis to identify areas of opportunities to leverage on.
Exploring opportunities with existing solutions
They are solutions currently available in the market we can learn from. So I carried out a competitive analysis to identify areas of opportunities to leverage on.
Chipper Cash
Chipper thrives as one of the most popular popular solutions for payments across Africa. However, you only have access to one additional currency besides your base currency, making international payments difficult..
Chipper Cash
Chipper thrives as one of the most popular popular solutions for payments across Africa. However, you only have access to one additional currency besides your base currency, making international payments difficult..
Chipper Cash
Chipper thrives as one of the most popular popular solutions for payments across Africa. However, you only have access to one additional currency besides your base currency, making international payments difficult..
Lemfi (ex Lemonade Finance)
Today, Lemfi is also a top cross-border payments solution. Their focuses is exclusively on diaspora Africans (Canada, Uk, USA etc) . Their services are not available to Africans living in Africa.
Lemfi (ex Lemonade Finance)
Today, Lemfi is also a top cross-border payments solution. Their focuses is exclusively on diaspora Africans (Canada, Uk, USA etc) . Their services are not available to Africans living in Africa.
Lemfi (ex Lemonade Finance)
Today, Lemfi is also a top cross-border payments solution. Their focuses is exclusively on diaspora Africans (Canada, Uk, USA etc) . Their services are not available to Africans living in Africa.
2.0
Finding opportunities amongst competitors
A quick recap
We are building Building a Neobank Solution Stack to make Cross-border Payments for Africans.
In order to validate the data from findings gathered so far, I carried out an informal research by utilizing google forms on forums and amongst friends and family affected by this problem within my local network.
A quick recap
We are building Building a Neobank Solution Stack to make Cross-border Payments for Africans.
In order to validate the data from findings gathered so far, I carried out an informal research by utilizing google forms on forums and amongst friends and family affected by this problem within my local network.
A quick recap
We are building Building a Neobank Solution Stack to make Cross-border Payments for Africans.
In order to validate the data from findings gathered so far, I carried out an informal research by utilizing google forms on forums and amongst friends and family affected by this problem within my local network.
Card sorting and affinity mapping
Gathering the solutions and recommendations, I sorted them for an affinity map. This part is always fun for me, because it really helps me see the pain-points from the user's perspective
Card sorting and affinity mapping
Gathering the solutions and recommendations, I sorted them for an affinity map. This part is always fun for me, because it really helps me see the pain-points from the user's perspective
Card sorting and affinity mapping
Gathering the solutions and recommendations, I sorted them for an affinity map. This part is always fun for me, because it really helps me see the pain-points from the user's perspective
1.0
Some showcase of the final designs
Let's define our users
Let's define our users
Let's define our users
Here, i analyzed the insights gathered from the research to capture the various needs and motivations of potential users. Creating personas enabled me to ensure user-centric features and functionalities.
Here, i analyzed the insights gathered from the research to capture the various needs and motivations of potential users. Creating personas enabled me to ensure user-centric features and functionalities.
Here, i analyzed the insights gathered from the research to capture the various needs and motivations of potential users. Creating personas enabled me to ensure user-centric features and functionalities.
3.0
User Persona
Journey Maps
Journey Maps
Journey Maps
To visualize the process and emotional responses from each user above, I created a journey map to map the current experience.
To visualize the process and emotional responses from each user above, I created a journey map to map the current experience.
To visualize the process and emotional responses from each user above, I created a journey map to map the current experience.
3.1
User journey maps
..with these insights gathered from research,
“How might we design a mobile app that makes cross-border payments accessible while remaining relevant to Africans?”
..with these insights gathered from research,
“How might we design a mobile app that makes cross-border payments accessible while remaining relevant to Africans?”
..with these insights gathered from research,
“How might we design a mobile app that makes cross-border payments accessible while remaining relevant to Africans?”
These principles were adopted
These principles were adopted
These principles were adopted
Here are the principles I adopted to help guide decision making for designs.
Designing for Accessibility
Considering all user groups from various locations. We made sure the solution is accessible.
Designing for Accessibility
Considering all user groups from various locations. We made sure the solution is accessible.
Designing for Accessibility
Considering all user groups from various locations. We made sure the solution is accessible.
Transparency builds trust
Stay clear and transparent about fees, balances and every from of service charge for every transactional process.
Transparency builds trust
Stay clear and transparent about fees, balances and every from of service charge for every transactional process.
Transparency builds trust
Stay clear and transparent about fees, balances and every from of service charge for every transactional process.
Adopting a room for Scalability
Introduce designs that has the the ability to scale and adapt as the user's need(s) as well as the business need(s) continues to evolve with time.
Adopting a room for Scalability
Introduce designs that has the the ability to scale and adapt as the user's need(s) as well as the business need(s) continues to evolve with time.
Adopting a room for Scalability
Introduce designs that has the the ability to scale and adapt as the user's need(s) as well as the business need(s) continues to evolve with time.
Proactive with Feedbacks
Provide feedback when users take actions that are contrary to whats expected and continuously iterate screens and flows for a better experience.
Proactive with Feedbacks
Provide feedback when users take actions that are contrary to whats expected and continuously iterate screens and flows for a better experience.
Proactive with Feedbacks
Provide feedback when users take actions that are contrary to whats expected and continuously iterate screens and flows for a better experience.
Putting Ideas to action
Putting Ideas to action
Putting Ideas to action
I tried various ways to create a dashboard that shows the primary features of the product gathered from user's insights.
However, this was short-lived because we needed to balance user needs with business goals. This required that I make some changes to the wireframes I presented. In order to make the product even more valuable, more features were proposed.
I tried various ways to create a dashboard that shows the primary features of the product gathered from user's insights.
However, this was short-lived because we needed to balance user needs with business goals. This required that I make some changes to the wireframes I presented. In order to make the product even more valuable, more features were proposed.
I tried various ways to create a dashboard that shows the primary features of the product gathered from user's insights.
However, this was short-lived because we needed to balance user needs with business goals. This required that I make some changes to the wireframes I presented. In order to make the product even more valuable, more features were proposed.
4.0
Wireframes
…and now, the final designs
…and now, the final designs
…and now, the final designs
This is where I implemented all of our visual design within the structural logic of my wireframes. The goal of Shiga was to become an everyday app, we decided to go with a dark mode first. Dark mode can reduce eye strain and save battery as many of our user base are always on their phones every now and then.
This is where I implemented all of our visual design within the structural logic of my wireframes. The goal of Shiga was to become an everyday app, we decided to go with a dark mode first. Dark mode can reduce eye strain and save battery as many of our user base are always on their phones every now and then.
This is where I implemented all of our visual design within the structural logic of my wireframes. The goal of Shiga was to become an everyday app, we decided to go with a dark mode first. Dark mode can reduce eye strain and save battery as many of our user base are always on their phones every now and then.
An inclusive Solution
An inclusive Solution
Shiga is made accessible to Africans in Africa and those living abroad. This strategic move addressed a market gap that exists with current solutions.
5.1
Onboarding Flows
An Intuitive Dashboard
An Intuitive Dashboard
This comprehensive dashboard, offers the users an apt overview of all Shiga's primary product offerings. This was a result of meticulous testing and iterations driven by valuable user feedback.
5.2
An intuitive dashboard
Access to FX and Assets
Access to FX and Assets
A mandatory review process is implemented for every transaction throughout the app, in order to foster transparency, credibility and trust.
5.3
Swap currencies
An everyday solution stack
An everyday solution stack
Irrespective of the primary objective, other services were also implemented to make Shiga an everyday app for every user.
5.4
Bills payment
Multiple Layers of Security
Multiple Layers of Security
We implemented a multi-layered security approach, empowering users to customize the level of protection for their accounts based on preference.
5.5
Layers of security
Monitor your Devices
Monitor your Devices
Real-time alerts to monitor new login attempts. Additionally, users can conveniently manage logged-in devices from the app's security settings.
5.6
Tracking logged in devices
Some recorded impact so far from Beta Testing
Some recorded impact so far from Beta Testing
Some recorded impact so far from Beta Testing
As of now, we have a select group of closed Beta testers. Let's explore some of the commendations and feedbacks we've gathered from several weeks of testing;
As of now, we have a select group of closed Beta testers. Let's explore some of the commendations and feedbacks we've gathered from several weeks of testing;
As of now, we have a select group of closed Beta testers. Let's explore some of the commendations and feedbacks we've gathered from several weeks of testing;
Commendations
Commendations
Commendations
They value the level of transparency at every level transaction they perform
The app is simple and extremely easy to navigate.
Offering bill payments has increased customer retention.
They value the level of transparency at every level transaction they perform
The app is simple and extremely easy to navigate.
Offering bill payments was a very good business decision
They value the level of transparency at every level transaction they perform
The app is simple and extremely easy to navigate.
Offering bill payments has increased customer retention.
Feedbacks
Feedbacks
Feedbacks
Users wants more currency offering from some remote African countries
Beta testers are requesting for more slots to bring in their family and friends.
Some users had issues registering from remote African locations
Users wants more currency offering from some remote African countries
Beta testers are requesting for more slots to bring in their family and friends.
Some users had issues registering from remote African locations
Users wants more currency offering from some remote African countries
Beta testers are requesting for more slots to bring in their family and friends.
Some users had issues registering from remote African locations
A sneak peek to a prototype
A sneak peek to a prototype
A sneak peek to a prototype
A brief prototype to show how the mobile app works;
1.0
Some onboarding screens
What I learnt from this project
What I learnt from this project
What I learnt from this project
Over-communicating is very important especially within a remote team
Seeking more clarity when you do not understand feedbacks received.
Always provide your suggestion(s) and recommendation(s) no matter how small they are.
As a lean startup, Burn-outs can be expected due to the level of workloads sometimes.
There is no limit to the amount of iterations allowed during a product development cycle
Over-communicating is very important especially within a remote team
Seeking more clarity when you do not understand feedbacks received.
Always provide your suggestion(s) and recommendation(s) no matter how small they are.
As a lean startup, Burn-outs can be expected due to the level of workloads sometimes.
There is no limit to the amount of iterations allowed during a product development cycle
Over-communicating is very important especially within a remote team
Seeking more clarity when you do not understand feedbacks received.
Always provide your suggestion(s) and recommendation(s) no matter how small they are.
As a lean startup, Burn-outs can be expected due to the level of workloads sometimes.
There is no limit to the amount of iterations allowed during a product development cycle