Project Meratas
_{FinTech | Interaction Design | UI Design | UX Research}

Company: Meratas/Career-Bond
Role: UX Designer
Focus: Redesigning a FinTech loan platform to increase user trust and improve conversion through clarity and transparency.
Deliverable: Research-backed UX proposal presented to client stakeholders.

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Project Earthwin
_{Environmental | UX/UI Design | Advanced Prototyping | UX Research}

Company: Earthwin
Role: UX Designer
Focus: Redesigned Earthwin's post-donation experience using web-based gamification and behavioral psychology to reduce a 75% user drop-off rate after first-time donations.

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Project Desi9n-1-1
_{AR-Lidar-Interior Design | UX Research | Advanced Research | Interaction Design}

Company: Desi9n-1-1
Role: UX Researcher
Focus: Investigating user trust and adoption for an AR-based LiDAR wellness scanner.
Deliverable: Comprehensive research report and MVP recommendations.

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Project Abstract State
_{Art | Product Design | Branding | Editorial |UX/UI Design}

Company: Abstract State
Role: Founder & Product Designer
Focus: Contemporary art magazine + digital platform (brand, editorial, website, e-commerce).
Deliverable: Quarterly print & digital issues; integrated website and shop.

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The Challenge

Indoor air quality monitoring faces three critical barriers
preventing user adoption and actionable decision-making:Problem 1: The Source Gap (User Pain Point)
Users lack compact tools to identify which specific furniture
or design elements are causing poor air quality. Existing
solutions show aggregate data but don't pinpoint the toxin
source.Problem 2: The Awareness Gap (Market Opportunity)
44% of surveyed users use NO tools to monitor home health,
despite growing wellness awareness. Current solutions prioritize
aesthetics over actionable health intelligence.Problem 3: The Trust Gap (Adoption Barrier)
Users distrust AI-generated health alerts without scientific
backing or expert validation, creating resistance to new
monitoring technologies.

Based on research findings, the strategic recommendations directly address each identified barrier:Strategic Recommendations for MVP→ Solves Problem 1 (Source Gap): AR-LiDAR pinpoints toxin source in furniture.→ Solves Problem 2 (Market Gap): Mobile-first approach targets 44% non-adopters.→ Solves Problem 3 (Trust Gap): Scientific evidence + expert validation frameworkResearch exposed a clear direction for Tanit's MVP, focusing on three core pillars: Mobile-First, Trust Through Evidence, and Comparison Features.

Deliverable: High-fidelity web prototype with gamified impact tracking, post-donation flow, and behavioral engagement system

Role: UX Designer • Behavioral Design

Timeline: 7-week client-driven project

Research & FindingsMethodology:4 user interviews across tech, business, and environmental backgrounds to identify trust and engagement gaps in the donation flow.Observed User Patterns
The One-Time Trap — 3/4 users donated once and never returnedThe Post-Payment Exit — 3/4 exited after the confirmation screenThe Transparency Gap — 4/4 users asked: “Where does my money actually go?”

Heuristic AnalysisThe Audit: A formal evaluation of the original platform using Nielsen’s 10 Principles to identify 12+ navigation redundancies.Insight: Discovered that complex information was buried under repetitive "Partnership" loops, causing immediate user overwhelm.

Behavioral MappingThe Strategy: Analyzed user behavior to channel high user urgency into constructive actions through a habit-forming engagement loop.Insight: Eco-Cycle: Discover (Homepage) → Give (Donation) → See Impact (Post-Donation) → Earn & Track (Dashboard) → Challenge (Eco-Challenges) → Share (Volunteer)

Problem 1: The Engagement GapInterviews with 4 participants revealed three critical barriers:• Invisible Impact: Users couldn't track where money went (4/4 mentioned)
•Emotional Stagnation: No outlet for environmental frustration (4/4 mentioned)
• Low Retention: Immediate abandonment after one-time donations (3/4 mentioned)"I'd do something if I could actually see it matter" (4/4 users)

Our Approach

With a broken post-donation experience and no behavioral loop to bring users back, I used a research-driven design process focused on reducing friction rather than adding feature complexity.

The goal: Design a post-donation experience that shows users exactly where their money went and gives them a reason to return.

1. Map Behavioral Psychology
I used the "forest fire" interview scenario to understand high-urgency emotional responses and designed the Eco-Cycle as an engagement system that converts one-time donations into repeat participation.2. Translate Research into Design
I translated research findings into clear user-facing solutions:
• Post-Donation Screen: Immediate impact confirmation
• Eco-Challenges: Reason to return and engage
• Impact Dashboard: Long-term progress tracking3. Test & Iterate
Each screen was validated through usability feedback to ensure it reduced cognitive load and improved clarity rather than introducing complexity.

The Key Quote:

“I’d do something if I could actually see it matter.”

This insight shaped the product direction: design environmental participation around transparency, progress visibility, and repeat engagement.

Research MethodologyI conducted in-depth interviews with 4 participants• 2 professionals in technology
• 1 business professional
• 1 environmental enthusiastThe goal was to identify behavioral friction points and disengagement patterns on the existing platform.

Designing the Solution

The platform was structured to convert feelings of powerlessness into meaningful, trackable action:

Gamify Impact: Earn points by completing eco-challenges based on real-world issues (wildfires, deforestation, pollution).Reward ParticipationPoints accumulate on your dashboard and unlock recognition for ongoing eco-actions.Prove Contribution: Every donation ties to real impact data — acres protected, trees planted, CO2 offset, visible on your personal dashboard.

Psychology-Based Design

Research showed that urgency, not apathy, drives disengagement.

Engagement System: Turns user urgency into repeat participation.Immediate Feedback: Point rewards reinforce motivationLong-Term Value: Impact data creates transparent, lasting proof of contribution

Our Approach

I began by asking a simple question

“Where is this trust issue coming from?”

I explored how small daily experiences shape user psychology around money and transparency.

In the U.S., a coffee labeled $4 often ends up costing $6 after tax and tip. This constant mismatch between expectation and reality subconsciously teaches people "not to trust what they see" especially in bigger financial decisions like loans. This insight became the foundation of my design approach: transparency builds trust.

Teaching society not to trust what they see!

Rebrand Goals:

Clarity, trust, and smoother application flow.

I uncovered three core problems they faced, applicants reported;

1.Uncertainty around total cost and repayment details.

2. Many expected hidden fees and hesitated to proceed without seeing clear numbers first.

3. Trust and clarity emerged as the primary barriers to completion.

Before

The landing page had no actionable CTAs only generic information and a single button that repeatedly led users to the personal information form.

The CTA led users straight to a personal-information form without offering any real value. It looked like a three-step process, but in reality, it only collected data and after completing everything, users still had to wait for results by email.

After

The redesigned landing page introduced clear, trust-building CTAs such as Explore Programs and Loan Calculator, offering immediate value before asking for personal data.

Redesigned the three-step flow to build trust and deliver value. Users can now explore Programs or Loan Matching to see which loans support each program, or vice versa. The interface displays this relationship clearly through dynamic “pill” indicators, giving instant transparency before commitment.

UX Insight: False Choice Destroys Trust

A key psychological trigger for distrust.

When multiple CTAs lead to the same page, users lose perceived control. Instead of feeling guided, they feel manipulated. In financial contexts, that emotion directly translates to abandonment and skepticism. True transparency isn’t about showing numbers, it’s about making every action feel honest and distinct.

User described;
"The loan journey feels like a black box" users are unsure what to expect.

User insights revealing emotional disconnect and the need for clarity before commitment.

Feature 1: Simplified Application Entry Flow; preventing unnecessary repetition and user frustration.

The original toolbar redirected users to the same “Career Goals” form regardless of their intent. I restructured the entry points to distinguish between program discovery and loan options, preventing unnecessary repetition and user frustration.

Feature 2: Upfront Cost Visibility; I introduced an interactive loan calculator prototype showing repayment breakdowns.

Users hesitated to proceed without understanding total program costs. I introduced an interactive loan calculator prototype showing repayment breakdowns and total costs before personal data entry.

Feature 3: Clear Navigation Hierarchy; I proposed a simplified structure where users could first explore then preview financing.

The old multi-step form and program listing caused confusion. I proposed a simplified structure where users could first explore programs, then preview financing reducing perceived friction.

Existing interface: users struggled to locate relevant loan programs and understand repayment terms.

I designed calculator prototype with simplified breakdown and transparent costs.

Guiding users through a transparent progression with clear feedback at every stage.

Three-step flow
Estimate, Verify, Apply.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3 (Results)

The interface uses Inter, a modern sans-serif typeface designed for digital clarity and balance. It's geometric simplicity makes complex financial data easy to scan while maintaining a professional tone.

From key actions to supportive information ensuring a consistent and accessible reading experience across all screens.

Key compositions included:

Pre-application estimator: Displayed total repayment before personal data entry. Simplified comparison view: Allowed users to understand multiple loan options at a glance. Guided input flow: Broke complex forms into calm, digestible sections. Completion screen: Framed confirmation as reassurance, not pressure.The compositions were built for clarity, not persuasion, a visual language that quietly earned belief through simplicity.