Finance requires security, accountability, dependability and today – accessibility, where simplicity and usability are a given. In determining the best case for interface design we take these goals and reduce them to their simplest form so that users may quickly and easily spend their time managing their finances and using services rather than managing their experience. This should be obvious.
Designed interface should directly communicate to the user in the same way that signage at an airport and on public transport is clear, easy and helpful. Signage always communicates the full message in the shortest amount of time, sometimes sacrificing artistic detail to maintain only the absolute necessities. Often such a rigid approach leaves the financial world as being cold and unpersonable. The main consideration here should be in accurately separating what is the interface upon which the user wholly depends and what are in fact designated points for more human and natural customer communications.
Financial interfaces of the past would display monochromatic (two colour), standard mono-spaced fonts in much the same way as a calculator or typewriter with little care given to the way in which the aesthetic look is presented and how the language is delivered. Today of course banks are as much a branded institution conveying their own character, warmth and personality to their customers as any other business with care given to every word, every character and every message that leaves their door.
A healthy online experience must include to the finest detail, just as much care as exists within any other communications channel in employment by the bank. In addition to this, the online canvas poses a few more constraints as well as flexible parts that must be considered and molded to the user’s advantage.
Web pages provide a limited (and varying) screen space for laying out financial tools, customer communications and branded messages. Though it is also a flexible screen space upon which there is room for dynamic elements that may convey via finely laid out typography, image, video, forms and interactive elements, which are all fine advancements that should be utilized. Although unlike outdoor print media or linear TV – online’s broad flexibility will often also lead to experiences that may also disorient users – objects that shift and change, pages that refresh and points of reference remain inconsistent.
Today we have at our disposal the ability to finely tune the experience to each user personally, placing control in their hands and the ability to grow their own knowledge and ability to operate successfully. It is expected and required, more so than ever with personal finance.
All of this is key to a successful and dependable experience.
The challenge remains with the careful balance between the considerations of the content, its aesthetic, the manner of delivery, its contextual applicability and the user’s need. We believe in dependable interfaces that do not confuse, navigation that is simple and display space that is flexible, avoiding incessant page refreshing, and catered personally to each user in a way that is both secure and accessible.