Introduction

• Brief: Redesign the Ding mobile top-up app for a smoother, more delightful experience.

• Challenge: Make topping up as fast and clear as possible, fixing pain points I noticed firsthand while traveling.

• Goals: Remove friction, polish every detail, and keep the flow dead simple.

Discovery Phase

• Stakeholder interviews: Solo project, so I played both roles—designer and user.

• Business requirements: Fast top-ups, minimal errors, and support for global users.

• User needs: Quick, reliable balance checks and top-ups, even on shaky Wi-Fi.

Problem Framing

• Problem: Existing flows had rough edges—some steps felt clunky, and visual polish was lacking.

• Success: Every screen and tap feels obvious and intentional; users never get lost.

• Constraints: Needed to work on older phones and spotty connections.

User Research

• User interviews: Talked to other travelers and expats about their pain points.

• Competitive analysis: Checked top-up apps for best (and worst) UX patterns.

• Market research: Confirmed speed and clarity trump extra features.

Synthesis

• Personas: Frequent travelers, expats, and locals with prepaid phones.

• Journey mapping: From low balance alert to successful top-up in under a minute.

• Key insights: Users want reassurance at every step—no hidden fees, clear confirmations.

Solution Development

• Info architecture: Streamlined flows—home, balance, top-up, confirmation.

• Wireframes & prototypes: Iterated on tap targets, button placement, and error states.

• Visual design: Crisp, minimal, and brand-aligned—every pixel sweated.

Testing

• Usability testing: Ran through flows with real users and simulated bad connections.

• User feedback: Tweaked button copy, improved loading indicators, and clarified error messages.

• Iterations: Polished micro-interactions and confirmation screens.

Implementation

• Handoff: Provided dev-ready mockups and specs.

• Dev collaboration: Worked closely to ensure pixel-perfect builds and smooth transitions.

• Go-to-market: Released as an update, promoted via in-app alerts and travel forums.

Results & Impact

• Metrics: Faster completion times, fewer support tickets, and higher App Store ratings.

• User adoption: More repeat top-ups and positive feedback from travelers.

• Business impact: Helped Ding stand out in a crowded market.

• Lessons learned: When you’re your own user, obsessing over every detail pays off.