CASE STUDY
Tailored UX for the One Percent: Precision Design for High-Net-Worth Individuals
Project Details
Role:
Lead Product Designer
Duration:
February 2021 - January 2022
Client:
A century-old leader in investment banking and wealth management
Simplifying the Complex: UX Strategy for a Brave New Wallet
This project challenged me to lead confidently in an environment where time was limited, expectations were high, and the stakes were significant. We were responsible for designing an Android app from scratch, training the in-house team, and delivering a reusable pattern library—all without disrupting the integrity of an already-established iOS experience.
What stood out was the need for embedded, outcome-driven design leadership: someone who could translate ambiguity into action, push for excellence while staying collaborative, and align multiple teams around a shared standard. That experience helped define the DNA of The UX Leadership Lab: providing strategic, on-demand design leadership that integrates seamlessly into existing teams and drives real results.
Background
In early 2021, a century-old leader in investment banking and wealth management engaged our team to fast-track the development of an Android application to complement its flagship iOS product. The app served high-net-worth individuals—a segment with complex needs, high expectations for polish and performance, and little tolerance for friction.
Designing for this audience brought unique challenges. Testing at scale was not an option due to privacy, security, and access constraints, which made precision in strategy, stakeholder alignment, and design execution critical from the start.
Goals and Objectives
- Deliver the Android app in under 9 months
- Concurrently build a reusable Android design system
- Identify and resolve usability issues from the iOS version
- Train internal designers to own and maintain the Android experience post-launch
- Create an Android-native experience that maintains feature parity with iOS
Research & Discovery
Methods
- Competitive benchmarking of top-tier mobile apps used by high-net-worth individuals
- Behavioral analysis of Android gesture patterns and UI norms
- Deep analysis of iOS-to-Android interaction model differences
- Multiple rounds of usability testing on new Android flows
Key Insights
- Users expected a consistent and polished experience across platforms
- Android users had strong platform-specific expectations for navigation and behavior
- Usability gaps in the iOS app presented opportunities to enhance the Android experience
- Trust and satisfaction were directly tied to visual clarity and task efficiency
Design Process
Ideation and Planning
- Developed an Android-specific experience grounded in Material Design
- Conducted research synthesis to identify areas where Android could improve on iOS
- Aligned design direction with stakeholder goals and user priorities
Wireframing & Prototyping
- Built low-fidelity flows and structure diagrams
- Developed high-fidelity prototypes in Figma for user testing and iteration
User Testing & Refinement
- Conducted iterative usability testing with target users
- Refined navigation logic, iconography, and task flows based on feedback
- Used Android insights to inform updates later rolled into the iOS app
Challenges & Solutions
- Build Trust with a Tight Timeline: Delivered reliably through structured planning, transparent communication, and clear documentation
- Drive Value Across Platforms:Used Android development as a launchpad for cross-platform UX improvements
- Create a Shared Design Language: Built a comprehensive, reusable Android pattern library to unify future development
- Empower the Internal Team: Collaborated closely with in-house designers and product managers, offering rationale and documentation for long-term adoption
Solution
Key Features & Innovations
- Fully customized Android interface aligned with Material Design principles
- Streamlined navigation and updated visual system
- Reusable components for future Android product work
- Seamless parity with iOS feature set while honoring platform norms
Results & Impact
- Delivered the Android app on time and on budget
- Earned strong internal feedback and led to an expanded scope of work
- Helped establish Android UX standards within the client's broader design system
- Increased platform trust, usability, and engagement
- Demonstrated a model of embedded UX leadership that shaped my approach in founding The UX Leadership Lab
Final Thoughts
This project was a pivotal moment in my design leadership journey. It was about more than just delivery—it required clarity, structure, and empathy to guide a team and serve both the product and the organization.
It also became a defining moment in shaping The UX Leadership Lab—a model rooted in integrated leadership, strategic clarity, and design systems that don’t just solve problems, but enable teams to move faster with less friction.
