Fundamentals Project

The website created by Su Barikan — an overview of the Career Bond fintech project.

Company: Meratas | Career Bond

Involves: enhancing the user experience for Meratas's student loan platform. Which is rebranding as Career Bond | Deliverable: Presenting a research backed design to the client.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

This UX fundamentals project focused on enhancing the user experience for Meratas's student loan platform (now rebranded as Career Bond). The challenge was to improve the platform's usability and create a more intuitive experience for users seeking educational financing.

Through comprehensive user research

An iterative design, I developed research-backed solutions to address key pain points in the student loan application and discovery process

Ultimately presenting actionable design recommendations to the client

PROJECT DETAILS

Duration: 9 weeks

Role: UX Designer

Client: Meratas (Career Bond)

Mentor: Molly Chao

Type: UX Fundamentals Project

PROJECT SCOPE

Challenge

Enhance the user experience for Meratas's student loan platform by identifying usability issues and designing solutions that improve the overall user journey from loan discovery to application completion.

Challenge

Deliverable

Present a comprehensive, research-backed design solution to the client, demonstrating clear improvements to the platform's user experience through data-driven design decisions.

Deliverable

Present a comprehensive, research-backed design solution to the client, demonstrating clear improvements to the platform's user experience through data-driven design decisions.

Deliverable

Present a comprehensive, research-backed design solution to the client, demonstrating clear improvements to the platform's user experience through data-driven design decisions.

RESEARCH & DESIGN PROCESS

User Research

Conducted user interviews and usability testing to identify pain points in the current platform

Analysis

Analyzed research findings to prioritize issues and identify opportunities for improvement

Design Solutions

Developed wireframes and prototypes addressing identified usability issues

Client Presentation

Presented research-backed design recommendations to Meratas/Career Bond stakeholders

KEY UX IMPROVEMENTS

Streamlined Loan Discovery

Problem: Users struggled to find relevant loan options among complex offerings.

Solution: Redesigned the program discovery flow with improved filtering, clearer categorization, and personalized recommendations based on user goals.

Enhanced Loan Calculator

Problem: Complex financial calculations created confusion and reduced user confidence.

Solution: Simplified the calculator interface with real-time updates, clear breakdowns, and transparent fee structures to build user trust.

Improved Information Architecture

Problem: Users had difficulty navigating between different platform sections.

Solution: Restructured the navigation and created clear user flows that guide users through the loan application process step-by-step.

Trust & Transparency Features

Problem: Users expressed concerns about loan terms and hidden fees.

Solution: Added transparency sections, FAQ integration, and clear communication about terms to address user concerns and build confidence.

Streamlined Loan Discovery

Problem: Users struggled to find relevant loan options among complex offerings.

Solution: Redesigned the program discovery flow with improved filtering, clearer categorization, and personalized recommendations based on user goals.

KEY UX IMPROVEMENTS

Problem: Users struggled to find relevant loan options among complex offerings.

Solution: Redesigned the program discovery flow with improved filtering, clearer categorization, and personalized recommendations based on user goals.

Streamlined Loan Discovery

Enhanced Loan Calculator

Problem: Complex financial calculations created confusion and reduced user confidence.

Solution: Simplified the calculator interface with real-time updates, clear breakdowns, and transparent fee structures to build user trust.

Problem: Users had difficulty navigating between different platform sections.

Solution: Restructured the navigation and created clear user flows that guide users through the loan application process step-by-step.

Improved Information Architecture

Problem: Users expressed concerns about loan terms and hidden fees.

Solution: Added transparency sections, FAQ integration, and clear communication about terms to address user concerns and build confidence.

Trust & Transparency Features

Streamlined Loan Discovery

Problem: Users struggled to find relevant loan options among complex offerings.

Solution: Redesigned the program discovery flow with improved filtering, clearer categorization, and personalized recommendations based on user goals.

KEY UX IMPROVE
MENTS

Streamlined Loan Discovery

Problem: Users struggled to find relevant loan options among complex offerings.

Solution: Redesigned the program discovery flow with improved filtering, clearer categorization, and personalized recommendations based on user goals.

Enhanced Loan Calculator

Problem: Complex financial calculations created confusion and reduced user confidence.

Solution: Simplified the calculator interface with real-time updates, clear breakdowns, and transparent fee structures to build user trust.

Improved Information Architecture

Problem: Users had difficulty navigating between different platform sections.

Solution: Restructured the navigation and created clear user flows that guide users through the loan application process step-by-step.

Trust & Transparency Features

Problem: Users expressed concerns about loan terms and hidden fees.

Solution: Added transparency sections, FAQ integration, and clear communication about terms to address user concerns and build confidence.

Streamlined Loan Discovery

Problem: Users struggled to find relevant loan options among complex offerings.

Solution: Redesigned the program discovery flow with improved filtering, clearer categorization, and personalized recommendations based on user goals.