USER PERSONA: BRANDON POGROB, 20 Brandon is a college junior studying abroad for the first time. Back home he spends long hours working in studio but is also an adventurous and relaxed person in his free time. As a student, he very concious about his budget and he hopes he can travel without spending too much. Brandon embraces technology as a way to stay in touch with friends and the latest trends on the internet.
INTERVIEW MIND MAP:
big workload is still stressful.
more everyday expenses
too studious = should have just stayed home
coins are deceptively valuable but easy to spend
everyone gives out receipts... use them? more everyday expenses
keep a running tab on expenses
the foreign currency is unfamiliar
will take convincing to go out.
super frugal time management study abroad is expensive. shouldnt you study?
keeping track of the money
exchange rate is hard to keep track of
euro v. dollar stress
work load
cook to save money
sticking to a budget
doesnt know how but is willing to learn
BUDGETING MONEY “making the most of study abroad”
food
luxuries v. necessities
new experience, particular to being abroad
food, drinks, entertainment. fun!
do you know when things are heppening?
requires research and investmen
fear of missing out
fun when you have your work done
dont know how much you should be spending on items
travel
social obligations & pressures
when is it ok to splurge?
dont know how many dollars you are spending
food, drinks, entertainment. fun!
won’t speak out against the group
unplanned, spontaneus outings
risk an unexpected money splurge
research, plan & commit to important events
personalize a schedule
USER JOURNEY MAP:
Brandon feels insecure about how to spend his money
OPEN THE APP
Brandon is looking for dinner and wants a pizza.
CHOOSE AN EXPENSE CATEGORY
BUILD USER PROFILE: budget, favorite foods, & choice luxuries
App displays screen to register new price
USE PIN BUTTON ON APP TO CHECK IN
CHOOSE A SUB-CATEGORY ITEM
CHOOSE A LOCATION
It turns out the price of pizza at this place has dropped since the last time someone checked in.
App awards brandon bonus points for improving the price map!
App tells Brandon he has accumulated enough pocket money to buy coupons!
UACCESS NEWLY UNLOCKED PROMOTIONS
This place seems like a good choice so Brandon decides to go there
App displays store details- location, average price, actual price, # of user reviews
Brandon chooses a menu item at the suggested price which is under the local average.
PRESS THE “POCKETED IT!” BUTTON
Brandon feels good knowing that he has saved money and paid an appropriate amount tonight
Brandon sees a promotion for 40% off 4 primi piatti at his favorite restaurant. Perfect for a double date!
App displays a map of Pizza restaurants around Brandons current location
Brandon wants to save money on tonights dinner so he looks for a green-labeled restaurant
App calculates and displays savings and adds “coins” to his pocket money
PRESS THE “POCKETED IT!” BUTTON
Brandon is happy he is spending his money well and that he also gets special discounts as a reward
5 INSGHTS:
-You often spend more money than expected when you have not carefully planned a day or outing -The new currency makes it significantly harder to track expenses - It’s acceptable to splurge on special experiences like traveling but not everyday expenses like lunch. These events will make the semester fun and memorable. - Brandon wants to find something exciting in the city that will be a change from WashU and his stressful fall semester. -Social pressures like going out with friends make it difficult to keep a tight budget. Defer- ring to other people’s ideas is costly but necessary if you are naturally a people-pleaser.
What is isToday’s Today’sBudget? Budget? What
$ $ $
FrugalStudent Student Frugal
Just Normal Normal Just
Suggested Budget $
per item
Flo, ITA
Coffee
$ 0.80-1.20
Find and Compare Prices $$$
Coffee
$$$
Coffee: 2 Euro
$
$ $$
SpecialDay Day Special
$$ $$
High Roller Roller High
total budget
Log my spending
i
3 pins $
$ 230.00
Find locations
Flo, ITA
$
PROBLEM STATEMENT:
Brandon’s biggest challenge in adjusting to Florence as a study abroad student is confidently managing his money. The reality of the cost of living is new and intimidating so his instinct is to overcompensate and to be as frugal as possible. However, this stops him from enjoying the city and spending money on necessities and small luxuries that will enrich his study abroad experience.
SOLUTION:
Design an app that is both educational and fun that will teach Brandon how to spend his money in a way that is sustainable to his budget and allows him to enjoy some luxuries. The app will inform the user of local spending trends that will help him estimate a budget in relation to local prices. The app encourages responsible spending by unlocking promotions and coupons to personalized events or experiences when the user stays within his budget.
Money
I want to buy...
under ave. $
ave. $
above ave. $
Pizza
Average Price:
Groceries
Username
C 7.00 Per Pizza
Breakfast
Password
SUBMIT
Lunch
Dinner
Filter By
Gusta Pizza
Average Price:
C
Your Pocket Money
5.50
Cash in your pocket money
60%
off 10 Gusta Pizzas
Savings:
C
1.50
+ C 1.50 Total Savings
+7
Store Info
Pocketed It!
C 15.60
50%
off 5 bottles at Locanda Vini e Olii
Cash In Pocket Money
C 25
50%
off 3kg Focaccia at Il Vecchio Forno
You’ve unlocked new promotions!
C 20
C5
40%
off 4 primi piatti at al di la Trattoria
C 15
P Pocket M Money A budgeting and deal-finding app