Project Information
Client
Vanguard
Investment management
Duration
8 Weeks
UX research to HiFi
Role
Researcher, Designer
User testing, prototyping
Challenge
End-Year Review
Simplify visuals & actionable steps
How might we help 50+ clients clearly understand the value of Digital Advisor so they feel confident, informed, and motivated to take meaningful next steps in their financial journey?
Research & Foundation
Project Goal
To simplify visuals, clear storytelling, and actionable steps that highlight how DA protects assets, improves performance, and supports long-term stability.
Audience Analysis
Retired or near-retirement adults aged 50+ who use Digital Advisor and need clear, reassuring, and easy-to-understand guidance about how their investments are managed.
Usability Findings
Participants struggled with unclear feature labels, navigation, and goal status feedback.
Persona & Empathy Map
The empathy map revealed that users feel uncertain when navigating the year-in-review tool and feel frustrated when their planned goal is not on track.
Categorizing Asset by Page
After identifying the pages required to address the needs and challenges revealed through the personas, the following is a summary of each page and its associated assets.
| Assets | Importance |
|---|---|
|
This page is important because it gives customers a high-level overview of their financial activity from the past year. Clear visibility of the brand and menu ensures customers have the flexibility to continue regular business tasks, instead of being forced to focus solely on the year-in-review summary. |
| Assets | Importance |
|---|---|
|
This page is important because it lists all activities that contributed to the customer’s asset performance. Presenting these accomplishments can strengthen the customer’s sense of achievement and help build trust in Vanguard’s Digital Advisor. |
| Assets | Importance |
|---|---|
|
This page is important because it provides customers with a clear snapshot of their progress toward asset goals. Showing target percentage ranges helps customers understand if they are on track and gives them confidence about their financial achievements. |
| Assets | Importance |
|---|---|
|
This page is important because it provides customers with a clear snapshot of their progress toward asset goals. Showing target percentage ranges helps customers understand if they are on track and gives them confidence about their financial achievements. |
| Assets | Importance |
|---|---|
|
This page is important because it gives customers a clear visual summary of their managed assets, including comparisons between their starting and ending balances. Highlighting any increased assets provides customers with a sense of accomplishment and helps reinforce their financial progress. |
| Assets | Importance |
|---|---|
|
This page is important because it gives visual activities on how their asses have changed over the year. Also, it helps build confidence and transparency between Vanguard and customer. |
| Assets | Importance |
|---|---|
|
This page is important because it offers personalized tasks tailored to each customer's financial situation. Including direct links to these recommended actions makes it easier for customers to take the next step toward their financial goals. |
| Assets | Importance |
|---|---|
|
This page is important because it recaps the user’s year in review. Also, it reminds the user of suggested actions. It provides links to pages/sources where the user can quickly take actions to address suggested actions. |
Site Structure Diagrams
Information Structure Chart
The diagram above presents the information architecture developed from assets identified through card sorting.
User Flow Chart
The user flow above maps the navigation structure developed from the identified assets and content organization.Initial Sketches
Initial UI sketches were developed by evaluating existing interface patterns, accessibility needs, and core user requirements. Special consideration was given to designing for older adults through thoughtful interface and usability decisions.
Landing Page
Summary Page
Performance Page
Projection Page
Contribution Page
Recommendation Page
Milestone Page
Analysis Page
Recap Page
Low-Fidelity Wireframes
Low-fidelity wireframes were created to establish the layout and content hierarchy early in the design process. This approach supported rapid iteration and allowed stakeholder feedback to be incorporated efficiently before progressing into detailed design.
Landing Page
Summary Page
Performance Page
Projection Page
Contribution Page
Recommendation Page
Milestone Page
Analysis Page
Recap Page
UI Kit & Style Guide
Before moving into high-fidelity design, I defined the visual direction and key UI standards for the experience. I created a design system based on Vanguard’s existing Digital Advisor interface to maintain brand consistency while adapting the product to better support the users. The system established clear rules for color, typography, and reusable components, helping ensure a cohesive, scalable experience across screens.
High-Fidelity Designs
Below are final screens for Vanguard’s Digital Advisor, presented to stakeholders as the completed design direction. Built from research insights, iterative wireframes, and a tailored design system, the final experience brings together clarity, consistency, and a refined visual language that supports a smooth transition into development.
Landing Page
Summary Page
Performance Page
Projection Page
Contribution Page
Recommendation Page
Milestone Page
Analysis Page
Recap Page
Reflection
This project reinforced how important clarity and trust are in financial UX, especially for adults 50 and older who view these tools through the lens of long-term security. Research showed that simplicity and accurate information matter as much as the data itself.
During ideation and testing, I focused on translating complex investment concepts into clear, supportive content. Usability feedback showed that tone, hierarchy, and transparency had a direct impact on user confidence.
The final design prioritizes clarity and empowerment, helping older adults feel informed, respected, and in control when managing their finances.