Each year technology makes the world more complex for people to understand. So, easy-to-use services for consumers are in particularly great demand. Due to the nature of the human mind: it is vital to perceive the world in a simple way. Any financial service can get an advantage by delivering a perfect user experience based on a simple interface.

The Brain Loves the Simplicity

The simplicity value is determined by the human brain’s peculiarities. Every concept in the human brain forms neuron connections. So, simpler concepts require fewer neuron links and fewer repetitions.

As far as evolution is concerned, our survival has always depended on reactions and the speed of processing information. Therefore, the brain favors to form simple links. This can be seen in children. They learn simple things much faster: for instance, food and surroundings. But abstract concepts like mathematics, tasks, or information processing are more difficult for them.

This means that simple interfaces are mastered and memorized more easily because neural links are formed here easier and faster. Especially, if the user is already familiar with the principles and elements used in the interface. It means that the proper neural links are already formed, and it is easier to add new ones related to the new service.

Conversely, if a user comes across a completely new interface operating on unknown principles, it will take a great deal of time to form a new neural link. Especially, if there are too many interface elements or if they are unstructured. This can cause choice paralysis syndrome and dramatically decrease user satisfaction levels.

Principles of Simple Digital Banking

As we see, simplicity provides our brain with the background for evolutionary survival. Therefore, it is programmed into the system of our perception and interaction with the world. By understanding simplicity, it’s possible to highlight the key principles of simple banking.

1. Predictability

In its interaction with the world, the brain simplifies the perception of things to predict the interaction result and provide safety. It means that the solution offered to users should be predictable. Answers to the questions on how and where should be obvious.

2. Control

It is important for a user to have a sense of control over the situation as it gives confidence. If there are too many elements not allowing to quickly build a clear mental model - panic strikes. Control reduces the risk of error and the cognitive pressure, which is especially important from financial perspective. It coordinates the service functions and the desired result.

3. Ease

People generally act based on the principle of least resistance, i.e. they do what is easier and choose what is clearer. So, a good financial interface should be very simple, providing a user with a smooth and obvious user flows. It increases speed and user satisfaction.

Levels of Simple Financial Service

It is necessary to use a general-to-specific approach in the creation of service as a complete system. The most important thing here is to maintain a high level of empathy towards the user, thus making the processes human-centered. Design Thinking and UX design should come in handy here.

Our aim is to reduce the user's cognitive load. To do this, we are going top-down when arranging simplicity levels in the interface design. First, we define the perception elements to create a user’s mental model. After goes the implementation of a user’s scenarios into the interface. It determines user interactions and user flows through the elements of design and the service functions.

1. Clear information architecture

When interacting with any digital service the user builds a mental map in his mind. This map should answer how to implement a particular scenario, where to look for information, and what opportunities the service provides. The basis here, is the navigation and the information blocks of the service.

It is necessary to base information architecture on a user’s existing cognitive patterns to make it clear and predictable. The Card Sorting identification method really comes in handy here. All the elements and the service functions should be logically grouped for a user based on his cognitive patterns. Moreover, there shouldn’t be too many basic sections in navigation, so that the user can get an idea of the service structure at a quick glance.

2. Friendly content

Speak the user’s language, and avoid professional slang in the interface. This will make your interface clear, regardless of the user's level of knowledge. Use clear words, short phrases, and minimum text.

In 2005, Oppenheimer conducted a study on the complexity of text as a means to form an opinion about its author. He found that the more complex the text was, the lower his intelligence level was rated by readers.

3. Delightful interface

The human desire for beauty is conditioned by evolution. Our ancestors associated bright colors to detect ripe fruits and berries. The choice of an attractive partner provided a healthy offspring. A beautiful surrounding made it possible to choose safe accommodation.

Aesthetic pleasure has become a distinctive feature of humanity and the cornerstone of our culture. Therefore, the UX equals aesthetic value. Outdated and primitive design will not cause pleasant emotions and will therefore reduce the service value for the user.

This fact has been proven by much research. For example, the concept of aesthetics contributes to the success of companies and brands (Rompay & Pruyn, 2011). In terms of strategic pricing, it enables companies to gain higher profits by letting them determine higher prices (Kristensen et al. 2012).

4. Safe interactions

Provide a clear and predictable operation of the separate individual interface elements. Rely on existing custom patterns to speed up and facilitate the use of the service. Don’t forget that each element should respond to a user’s actions, giving him enough feedback.

5. Gradual delivery of functions

All the screens and micro-actions should be arranged in an obvious and intuitive sequence, corresponding to the key scenarios. In addition, they should be implemented gradually and consistently. Do not give the user everything at single dashboard, as it may cause cognitive overload.

Steps to Banking Simplification

So, let's find out exactly how financial services can simplify interfaces and make them clear for users.

Step 1. Reduce overdensity

Overdensity is the worst enemy of your design. Too many elements will frustrate the user and ruin his experience. Fill the service real estate wisely providing enough "white space". Clear indents will separate elements from each other and make the interface more readable.

Overdensity concerns not only the number of elements, but also the diversity of their visual characteristics. The overcharge with multi-colors and multi-shapes will definitely create a sense of chaos. Stick to coherent and holistic aesthetics forming easy to understand design language.

Step 2. Divide the tasks into steps

When a digital service requires some action from the user it is better to divide it into step-by-step tasks instead of taking it all into one screen. You can use progressive disclosure in your forms or divide processes onto several screens by using layers behind primary pages. This should help to manage user attention and keep flow clear.

Step 3. Get familiar

Both desktop solutions and mobile applications have already developed standards for interface solutions. They are related to user habits and accelerate the learning curve. For instance, users expect to see a profile or login in the upper left corner. The search bar in the mobile solutions should be at the top of the list.

This rule applies not only to the individual elements and their location, but also to the entire pages or functions. Ignoring usage patterns and creating something completely unusual can lead to extending the learning curve, and often to a failure.

Step 4. Balance critical touchpoints

Explore the user’s journey through your service and detect key touchpoints that can frustrate him. Find some better solutions.

For instance, you can simplify the UI, rearrange the flow, and make micro-interactions more obvious, or just add some handy tips. You can do anything, just don't leave the user alone in difficult moments.

Step 5. Ensure correct accents

All the interface elements may be located according to their priority for the user experience. It’s necessary to consider their role in the user tasks execution. So, you can determine their priority in every screen.

Use different visual means for accents: font size, color, shape, icon. This will help the user to follow the sequence and interface logic intuitively.

The same thing is true for the element grouping. Proper interface space zoning will help to group the elements according to the key user scenarios.

Step 6. Adopt consistent design language

The user should not have a feeling of diversity when using the service. Its flow should be smooth and connected. It’s essential to see the design as a system to ensure this.

The system of design standardizes the principles of interface creation, regulates the UI of the elements used and introduces consistency rules. On the one hand, the system design should respect the particular digital platform guidelines, but on the other, create a native look and feeling uniting the service supply on all platforms.

Step 7. Implement accessibility requirements

Around 4% of all people have some visual problems. It's really important to ensure banking interface accessibility for them through the right use of contrast, color, and font size.

For example, in case of an error you should avoid using color as the only element to indicate the required action. It is better to combine it with an icon and a notification.

Other possible limitations should also be considered. For example, it’s simply impossible to use interfaces overloaded by animation in regions with low Internet speed.

Don’t be Afraid of Simplicity

Other people’s opinions are important for everyone, it’s human nature. What will be said about the abilities, the knowledge level, and the intelligence of the creator through his work? Therefore, complex solutions often appear in the interfaces design to impress the user, strike him, and provide maximum opportunities for him. But such solutions are incomprehensible and inconvenient as it was discussed in this article, so they are not in demand. Thus, don't be afraid of simplicity.

Smart designers are willing to create the simplest interfaces responding to the complex needs of the user. In this article we explored that it’s not a simple appearance or a primitive functionality, that makes simplicity. And simplicity is not the key goal of a good design. Simplicity is just a tool to provide a user with a handy and delightful experience. Powerful and complex tool.

Check out my blog about financial and banking UX design >>