- Role
- UX / UI
- Scope
- Payment app concept
- Platform
- iOS · Android
- Sector
- Fintech
- Engagement
- Concept project
- By
- Bigad Elsherif, founder of Appstruct
Project Overview
Pluto is a next-generation mobile payment application designed to simplify digital transactions while providing robust security and financial management tools. In an era where digital payments are becoming the norm, Pluto aims to offer a seamless experience that combines convenience, security, and smart financial insights.
The app targets millennials and Gen Z users who seek a modern alternative to traditional banking apps and want more control over their spending habits through intuitive design and smart features.
Our Role
As the lead UX/UI designers for Pluto, we were responsible for creating a payment experience that feels both secure and effortless. The primary challenge was designing an interface that builds trust while making complex financial transactions feel simple and intuitive.
Working closely with fintech experts and security specialists, we needed to balance regulatory requirements with user experience goals. The result needed to be an app that users would trust with their money while providing features that go beyond basic payment functionality.
Design Process
We followed a comprehensive design thinking approach with emphasis on security and trust-building at every stage:
- 01User Research - Understanding payment behaviors and security concerns
- 02Market Analysis - Studying successful fintech apps and identifying gaps
- 03Information Architecture - Designing intuitive navigation for complex features
- 04Security UX - Balancing protection with ease of use
- 05Visual Design - Creating a trustworthy yet modern aesthetic
- 06Prototyping - Testing transaction flows and interactions
- 07Usability Testing - Validating with real users and security experts
Market Analysis
To position Pluto effectively in the competitive fintech landscape, we analyzed the current market and identified key opportunities:
Strengths
- Bank-level security with biometric authentication
- Instant peer-to-peer transfers
- Smart spending insights and budgeting
- Multi-currency support
- Low transaction fees
Opportunities
- Growing digital payment adoption
- Demand for financial wellness tools
- International money transfer market
- Integration with e-commerce platforms
- Cryptocurrency wallet features
Challenges
- Building trust with new users
- Complex regulatory compliance
- Fraud prevention and security
- Standing out in crowded market
Competitors
- Established payment apps (Venmo, PayPal)
- Digital banks (Revolut, N26)
- Traditional banking apps
- Emerging fintech startups
User Persona
Alex
Alex is a 28-year-old freelance designer who frequently receives payments from clients and sends money to friends for shared expenses. They want a payment solution that's fast, secure, and helps them manage irregular income streams. Alex values modern design and expects their financial tools to be as intuitive as their favorite social apps.
Goals
- Quickly send and receive payments
- Track income and expenses effortlessly
- Split bills with friends easily
- Manage multiple payment sources
- Access funds internationally
Needs
- Instant transaction confirmations
- Clear transaction history
- Low or no fees for common transactions
- Strong security without friction
- Smart budgeting and insights
Frustrations
- Current apps have confusing interfaces with too many steps
- High fees for international transfers
- Poor integration between different financial services
- Security measures that feel invasive or time-consuming
- Lack of spending insights and budgeting tools
Key Features
Quick Pay
One-tap payments to saved contacts with customizable quick amounts. QR code scanning for instant merchant payments. The interface prioritizes speed while maintaining security through biometric confirmation.
Smart Budgeting
Automatic categorization of transactions with AI-powered insights. Visual spending analysis and personalized budget recommendations based on income patterns and financial goals.
Bill Splitting
Intelligent bill-splitting feature that can scan receipts and automatically divide costs. Send payment requests to multiple contacts with one tap.
International Transfers
Competitive exchange rates and low fees for international money transfers. Real-time currency conversion and transparent fee breakdown before confirming transactions.
Security Suite
Multi-layer security including biometric authentication, transaction alerts, spending limits, and instant card freezing. All implemented with minimal friction to maintain ease of use.
Financial Insights
Monthly financial health reports, savings goals tracking, and personalized tips for better money management. Gamification elements to encourage good financial habits.
The wallet screen — recent transfers, balance, quick actions
Visual Design
The visual language of Pluto strikes a balance between trustworthiness and modernity. Every design choice reinforces security while maintaining an approachable, contemporary aesthetic.
Color System
Professional blues and purples convey trust and stability, paired with vibrant accents for positive actions. Success states use reassuring greens, while alerts use attention-grabbing but not alarming colors.
Typography
Clear, legible sans-serif fonts optimized for financial data. Hierarchy designed to draw attention to important transaction details and amounts.
Micro-interactions
Satisfying animations confirm successful actions. Progress indicators during transactions reduce anxiety. Haptic feedback reinforces important actions.
Data Visualization
Clean charts and graphs make financial data accessible. Color-coded categories and intuitive icons help users understand spending patterns at a glance.
Security UX Design
One of the biggest challenges was making robust security feel effortless. We implemented several UX strategies to achieve this:
Progressive Security
Low-value transactions require minimal authentication, while larger amounts trigger additional verification. This adaptive approach balances security with convenience based on risk level.
Transparent Protection
Security features are visible but not intrusive. Users can easily see their protection status and customize security settings without navigating through complex menus.
Instant Alerts
Real-time notifications for all transactions with quick actions to report suspicious activity. Clear, non-technical language explains what happened and why it matters.
Design intent
Designed to make trust visible without adding friction — security cues sit inside the payment flow rather than interrupting it.
The transfer sequence was reduced to the smallest number of steps that still leaves the sender certain what is about to happen.
Bill splitting is treated as a first-class flow rather than something buried behind a settings menu.
A considered foundation for future validation: the flows are specified closely enough to put in front of real users and test.
