Robinhood: safe start feature

Helping beginners invest with confidence

Prototype

SafeStart

ROLE

UX Designer

EXPERTISE

UX/UI Design

YEAR

2024

Background

Robinhood Safe Start helps first-time investors build confidence by simplifying the investing process and offering accessible tools for financial growth.

Problem

Users struggle to start investing due to lack of knowledge, competing financial priorities, and unclear guidance.

Target Audience

First-time investors, young professionals, and mid-level users seeking guidance on investing strategies.

Why It Matters

Many users feel overwhelmed by financial decisions and miss opportunities to build wealth early.

Impact

Safe Start empowers users with personalized guidance and simple tools to confidently begin their investment journey.

High-Fidelity Prototype

Home Screen Integration
Easily access the Safe Start feature from the Robinhood home screen banner.
Introduction Screen
An engaging splash screen highlights Safe Start’s benefits for beginners.
Onboarding
Highlights the benefits of starting early with compound interest and the cost of delayed investments.
Goal Selection Screen
Users select investment goals.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Roadmap
Clear action steps for savings, debt reduction, and long-term growth.
Growth Projection
Visualizes potential returns from consistent, small investments over time.
Set Recurring Investment
Choose or customize a monthly investment amount to build your habit.
Investment Confirmed
Celebrate your commitment to consistent growth and financial success.
Home Screen Integration
Easily access the Safe Start feature from the Robinhood home screen banner.
Introduction Screen
An engaging splash screen highlights Safe Start’s benefits for beginners.
Onboarding
Highlights the benefits of starting early with compound interest and the cost of delayed investments.
Goal Selection Screen
Users select investment goals.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Roadmap
Clear action steps for savings, debt reduction, and long-term growth.
Growth Projection
Visualizes potential returns from consistent, small investments over time.
Set Recurring Investment
Choose or customize a monthly investment amount to build your habit.
Investment Confirmed
Celebrate your commitment to consistent growth and financial success.
Home Screen Integration
Easily access the Safe Start feature from the Robinhood home screen banner.
Introduction Screen
An engaging splash screen highlights Safe Start’s benefits for beginners.
Onboarding
Highlights the benefits of starting early with compound interest and the cost of delayed investments.
Goal Selection Screen
Users select investment goals.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Roadmap
Clear action steps for savings, debt reduction, and long-term growth.
Growth Projection
Visualizes potential returns from consistent, small investments over time.
Set Recurring Investment
Choose or customize a monthly investment amount to build your habit.
Investment Confirmed
Celebrate your commitment to consistent growth and financial success.
Home Screen Integration
Easily access the Safe Start feature from the Robinhood home screen banner.
Introduction Screen
An engaging splash screen highlights Safe Start’s benefits for beginners.
Onboarding
Highlights the benefits of starting early with compound interest and the cost of delayed investments.
Goal Selection Screen
Users select investment goals.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Roadmap
Clear action steps for savings, debt reduction, and long-term growth.
Growth Projection
Visualizes potential returns from consistent, small investments over time.
Set Recurring Investment
Choose or customize a monthly investment amount to build your habit.
Investment Confirmed
Celebrate your commitment to consistent growth and financial success.

Home Screen Integration
Easily access the Safe Start feature from the Robinhood home screen banner.
Introduction Screen
An engaging splash screen highlights Safe Start’s benefits for beginners.
Onboarding
Highlights the benefits of starting early with compound interest and the cost of delayed investments.
Goal Selection Screen
Users select investment goals.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Roadmap
Clear action steps for savings, debt reduction, and long-term growth.
Growth Projection
Visualizes potential returns from consistent, small investments over time.
Set Recurring Investment
Choose or customize a monthly investment amount to build your habit.
Investment Confirmed
Celebrate your commitment to consistent growth and financial success.
Home Screen Integration
Easily access the Safe Start feature from the Robinhood home screen banner.
Introduction Screen
An engaging splash screen highlights Safe Start’s benefits for beginners.
Onboarding
Highlights the benefits of starting early with compound interest and the cost of delayed investments.
Goal Selection Screen
Users select investment goals.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Roadmap
Clear action steps for savings, debt reduction, and long-term growth.
Growth Projection
Visualizes potential returns from consistent, small investments over time.
Set Recurring Investment
Choose or customize a monthly investment amount to build your habit.
Investment Confirmed
Celebrate your commitment to consistent growth and financial success.
Home Screen Integration
Easily access the Safe Start feature from the Robinhood home screen banner.
Introduction Screen
An engaging splash screen highlights Safe Start’s benefits for beginners.
Onboarding
Highlights the benefits of starting early with compound interest and the cost of delayed investments.
Goal Selection Screen
Users select investment goals.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Roadmap
Clear action steps for savings, debt reduction, and long-term growth.
Growth Projection
Visualizes potential returns from consistent, small investments over time.
Set Recurring Investment
Choose or customize a monthly investment amount to build your habit.
Investment Confirmed
Celebrate your commitment to consistent growth and financial success.
Home Screen Integration
Easily access the Safe Start feature from the Robinhood home screen banner.
Introduction Screen
An engaging splash screen highlights Safe Start’s benefits for beginners.
Onboarding
Highlights the benefits of starting early with compound interest and the cost of delayed investments.
Goal Selection Screen
Users select investment goals.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Roadmap
Clear action steps for savings, debt reduction, and long-term growth.
Growth Projection
Visualizes potential returns from consistent, small investments over time.
Set Recurring Investment
Choose or customize a monthly investment amount to build your habit.
Investment Confirmed
Celebrate your commitment to consistent growth and financial success.

Home Screen Integration
Easily access the Safe Start feature from the Robinhood home screen banner.
Introduction Screen
An engaging splash screen highlights Safe Start’s benefits for beginners.
Onboarding
Highlights the benefits of starting early with compound interest and the cost of delayed investments.
Goal Selection Screen
Users select investment goals.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Roadmap
Clear action steps for savings, debt reduction, and long-term growth.
Growth Projection
Visualizes potential returns from consistent, small investments over time.
Set Recurring Investment
Choose or customize a monthly investment amount to build your habit.
Investment Confirmed
Celebrate your commitment to consistent growth and financial success.
Home Screen Integration
Easily access the Safe Start feature from the Robinhood home screen banner.
Introduction Screen
An engaging splash screen highlights Safe Start’s benefits for beginners.
Onboarding
Highlights the benefits of starting early with compound interest and the cost of delayed investments.
Goal Selection Screen
Users select investment goals.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Roadmap
Clear action steps for savings, debt reduction, and long-term growth.
Growth Projection
Visualizes potential returns from consistent, small investments over time.
Set Recurring Investment
Choose or customize a monthly investment amount to build your habit.
Investment Confirmed
Celebrate your commitment to consistent growth and financial success.
Home Screen Integration
Easily access the Safe Start feature from the Robinhood home screen banner.
Introduction Screen
An engaging splash screen highlights Safe Start’s benefits for beginners.
Onboarding
Highlights the benefits of starting early with compound interest and the cost of delayed investments.
Goal Selection Screen
Users select investment goals.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Roadmap
Clear action steps for savings, debt reduction, and long-term growth.
Growth Projection
Visualizes potential returns from consistent, small investments over time.
Set Recurring Investment
Choose or customize a monthly investment amount to build your habit.
Investment Confirmed
Celebrate your commitment to consistent growth and financial success.
Home Screen Integration
Easily access the Safe Start feature from the Robinhood home screen banner.
Introduction Screen
An engaging splash screen highlights Safe Start’s benefits for beginners.
Onboarding
Highlights the benefits of starting early with compound interest and the cost of delayed investments.
Goal Selection Screen
Users select investment goals.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Roadmap
Clear action steps for savings, debt reduction, and long-term growth.
Growth Projection
Visualizes potential returns from consistent, small investments over time.
Set Recurring Investment
Choose or customize a monthly investment amount to build your habit.
Investment Confirmed
Celebrate your commitment to consistent growth and financial success.

Want to see more?

Scroll on for more project details or…

View working prototype here

Safe Start Feature

High-Fidelity Prototype

Home Screen Integration
Easily access the Safe Start feature from the Robinhood home screen banner.
Introduction Screen
An engaging splash screen highlights Safe Start’s benefits for beginners.
Onboarding
Highlights the benefits of starting early with compound interest and the cost of delayed investments.
Goal Selection Screen
Users select investment goals.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Roadmap
Clear action steps for savings, debt reduction, and long-term growth.
Growth Projection
Visualizes potential returns from consistent, small investments over time.
Set Recurring Investment
Choose or customize a monthly investment amount to build your habit.
Home Screen Integration
Easily access the Safe Start feature from the Robinhood home screen banner.
Introduction Screen
An engaging splash screen highlights Safe Start’s benefits for beginners.
Onboarding
Highlights the benefits of starting early with compound interest and the cost of delayed investments.
Goal Selection Screen
Users select investment goals.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Roadmap
Clear action steps for savings, debt reduction, and long-term growth.
Growth Projection
Visualizes potential returns from consistent, small investments over time.
Set Recurring Investment
Choose or customize a monthly investment amount to build your habit.
Home Screen Integration
Easily access the Safe Start feature from the Robinhood home screen banner.
Introduction Screen
An engaging splash screen highlights Safe Start’s benefits for beginners.
Onboarding
Highlights the benefits of starting early with compound interest and the cost of delayed investments.
Goal Selection Screen
Users select investment goals.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Roadmap
Clear action steps for savings, debt reduction, and long-term growth.
Growth Projection
Visualizes potential returns from consistent, small investments over time.
Set Recurring Investment
Choose or customize a monthly investment amount to build your habit.
Home Screen Integration
Easily access the Safe Start feature from the Robinhood home screen banner.
Introduction Screen
An engaging splash screen highlights Safe Start’s benefits for beginners.
Onboarding
Highlights the benefits of starting early with compound interest and the cost of delayed investments.
Goal Selection Screen
Users select investment goals.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Inputs Screen
Users input financial details to generate a tailored investment roadmap.
Financial Roadmap
Clear action steps for savings, debt reduction, and long-term growth.
Growth Projection
Visualizes potential returns from consistent, small investments over time.
Set Recurring Investment
Choose or customize a monthly investment amount to build your habit.

Want to see more?

Scroll on for more project details or…

View working prototype here

Safe Start Feature

Research & Planning

To design the Robinhood Safe Start feature, we conducted comprehensive user research to identify barriers to investing and opportunities to simplify decision-making for new investors.

Methods

User Interviews: Conducted 5 remote interviews to explore financial goals, challenges, and investment habits.

Affinity Mapping: Analyzed patterns in user needs and concerns to identify key opportunities.
Link to affinity mapping
Competitive Analysis: Reviewed competitor platforms to highlight gaps in trust-building, education, and user onboarding.
Link to competive analysis

User Interviews: 5 remote interviews to understand pain points and expectations.
Affinity Mapping
Link to affinity mapping
Competitive Analysis: Reviewed similar platforms to identify gaps and opportunities.
Link to competive analysis

Key Insights

Goals & Hesitations: Users prioritize saving for large purchases, paying off debt, and avoiding the perceived complexity of investing.
Risk Tolerance: Diverse preferences for high-risk vs. conservative strategies underscore the need for flexible tools.
Automation & Trust: Users value simple tools to guide decisions but want transparency and trust-building features.
Education: Beginners seek accessible resources that build confidence in making investment choices.
Ethical Investing: Many users prefer socially responsible investments that align with their values.

Data Points

100% of participants emphasized the importance of simple, user-friendly investment tools.
80% showed interest in automated recommendations tailored to their financial goals.
60% indicated a preference for ethical investment options.

User 1

College Student

"I want a tool that helps me understand how much I can invest each month without risking my savings—it feels overwhelming to figure it out on my own."

User 2

Freelancer

"I need an option that helps me invest conservatively while feeling confident I’m making the right decisions."

User 3

Young Professional

"As someone learning about investing, I’d value a feature that explains the basics clearly and makes it easy to start with small, safe investments."

Affinity MApping
The affinity map organizes user insights from interviews into key themes, highlighting shared challenges and priorities to inform user-centered design decisions.
Affinity Mapping: Financial Insights
This map showcases user needs, including financial goals, risk attitudes, and preferences for simplified tools and guidance in investing.
Affinity Mapping: Financial Goals and Strategies
This map explores user priorities in saving, investing, and managing risk, highlighting diverse strategies and preferences for financial security and growth.
Affinity Mapping: Attitudes Toward Automated Financial Tools
This map captures user perspectives on automated financial tools, highlighting trust concerns, privacy preferences, and the balance between human support and automation.
Affinity Mapping: Investment Hesitations and Challenges
This map identifies user concerns with investing, including fears of complexity, knowledge gaps, and risk aversion, alongside their evolving confidence and preferences for financial education.
Affinity Mapping: User Experience with Robinhood
This map highlights user feedback on Robinhood, focusing on its accessibility, ease of use, mobile-centric design, and areas for improvement, such as customer support and educational resources for beginner investors.
Affinity MApping
The affinity map organizes user insights from interviews into key themes, highlighting shared challenges and priorities to inform user-centered design decisions.
Affinity Mapping: Financial Insights
This map showcases user needs, including financial goals, risk attitudes, and preferences for simplified tools and guidance in investing.
Affinity Mapping: Financial Goals and Strategies
This map explores user priorities in saving, investing, and managing risk, highlighting diverse strategies and preferences for financial security and growth.
Affinity Mapping: Attitudes Toward Automated Financial Tools
This map captures user perspectives on automated financial tools, highlighting trust concerns, privacy preferences, and the balance between human support and automation.
Affinity Mapping: Investment Hesitations and Challenges
This map identifies user concerns with investing, including fears of complexity, knowledge gaps, and risk aversion, alongside their evolving confidence and preferences for financial education.
Affinity Mapping: User Experience with Robinhood
This map highlights user feedback on Robinhood, focusing on its accessibility, ease of use, mobile-centric design, and areas for improvement, such as customer support and educational resources for beginner investors.
Affinity MApping
The affinity map organizes user insights from interviews into key themes, highlighting shared challenges and priorities to inform user-centered design decisions.
Affinity Mapping: Financial Insights
This map showcases user needs, including financial goals, risk attitudes, and preferences for simplified tools and guidance in investing.
Affinity Mapping: Financial Goals and Strategies
This map explores user priorities in saving, investing, and managing risk, highlighting diverse strategies and preferences for financial security and growth.
Affinity Mapping: Attitudes Toward Automated Financial Tools
This map captures user perspectives on automated financial tools, highlighting trust concerns, privacy preferences, and the balance between human support and automation.
Affinity Mapping: Investment Hesitations and Challenges
This map identifies user concerns with investing, including fears of complexity, knowledge gaps, and risk aversion, alongside their evolving confidence and preferences for financial education.
Affinity Mapping: User Experience with Robinhood
This map highlights user feedback on Robinhood, focusing on its accessibility, ease of use, mobile-centric design, and areas for improvement, such as customer support and educational resources for beginner investors.
Affinity MApping
The affinity map organizes user insights from interviews into key themes, highlighting shared challenges and priorities to inform user-centered design decisions.
Affinity Mapping: Financial Insights
This map showcases user needs, including financial goals, risk attitudes, and preferences for simplified tools and guidance in investing.
Affinity Mapping: Financial Goals and Strategies
This map explores user priorities in saving, investing, and managing risk, highlighting diverse strategies and preferences for financial security and growth.
Affinity Mapping: Attitudes Toward Automated Financial Tools
This map captures user perspectives on automated financial tools, highlighting trust concerns, privacy preferences, and the balance between human support and automation.
Affinity Mapping: Investment Hesitations and Challenges
This map identifies user concerns with investing, including fears of complexity, knowledge gaps, and risk aversion, alongside their evolving confidence and preferences for financial education.
Affinity Mapping: User Experience with Robinhood
This map highlights user feedback on Robinhood, focusing on its accessibility, ease of use, mobile-centric design, and areas for improvement, such as customer support and educational resources for beginner investors.

Competitive analysis
This analysis identifies strengths, weaknesses, and unique values of key competitors.
Competitive analysis
This analysis highlights gaps and opportunities in the market.
Competitive analysis
This analysis identifies strengths, weaknesses, and unique values of key competitors.
Competitive analysis
This analysis highlights gaps and opportunities in the market.
Competitive analysis
This analysis identifies strengths, weaknesses, and unique values of key competitors.
Competitive analysis
This analysis highlights gaps and opportunities in the market.
Competitive analysis
This analysis identifies strengths, weaknesses, and unique values of key competitors.
Competitive analysis
This analysis highlights gaps and opportunities in the market.

Define

Synthesized research to define user needs, created POV statements, explored solutions with "How Might We" questions, and prioritized features to address critical investment challenges for beginner investors.

Synthesis

Created user personas to represent beginner investors like Mia, James, and Anna, focusing on their challenges, such as balancing debt, savings, and starting investments.
Link to user personas

POV Statements

Mia, a student, needs a way to invest small amounts while managing student loans.
James, a young professional, needs guidance to balance debt, savings, and investments.
Anna, a professional, needs a simple way to diversify investments and grow long-term wealth.

How Might We…?

HMW help Mia invest $5/month while managing student loans?
HMW give James a roadmap to balance debt, savings, and investments?
HMW simplify investment diversification for Anna?

Feature Priorities

Compound Interest Tool: Shows how small investments grow over time with visual projections.
Smart Roadmap: Guides users to prioritize savings, debt, and investments.
Automated Deposits: Enables recurring small investments with ETF options (SPY, VOO, IVV).
Budget-Friendly Tips: Quick in-app tips on balancing investing and budgeting.

User Personas
Mia, a 21-year-old student seeking simple tools to start investing while managing loans and building financial security.
User Personas
Anna, A 29-year-old marketing manager focused on diversifying investments, maximizing savings, and achieving long-term financial growth.
User Personas
James, a 28-year-old junior engineer balancing loans, building savings, and starting small investments for long-term growth.
User Personas
Mia, a 21-year-old student seeking simple tools to start investing while managing loans and building financial security.
User Personas
Anna, A 29-year-old marketing manager focused on diversifying investments, maximizing savings, and achieving long-term financial growth.
User Personas
James, a 28-year-old junior engineer balancing loans, building savings, and starting small investments for long-term growth.
User Personas
Mia, a 21-year-old student seeking simple tools to start investing while managing loans and building financial security.
User Personas
Anna, A 29-year-old marketing manager focused on diversifying investments, maximizing savings, and achieving long-term financial growth.
User Personas
James, a 28-year-old junior engineer balancing loans, building savings, and starting small investments for long-term growth.
User Personas
Mia, a 21-year-old student seeking simple tools to start investing while managing loans and building financial security.
User Personas
Anna, A 29-year-old marketing manager focused on diversifying investments, maximizing savings, and achieving long-term financial growth.
User Personas
James, a 28-year-old junior engineer balancing loans, building savings, and starting small investments for long-term growth.

Design

Developed user flows, branding, and wireframes into high-fidelity prototypes for the Safe Start feature, focusing on guiding users through recurring investment setup.

Decisions

Flows: Designed intuitive pathways for discovering the feature, exploring projections, and completing setup.
Link to user flows
Branding: Maintained Robinhood’s visual identity while introducing feature-specific illustrations for clarity.
Wireframes: Iterated from low-fidelity to polished designs, incorporating user feedback for seamless navigation and functionality.

Deliverables

High-fidelity screens for onboarding, project submission, and mentorship.
Prototypes for usability testing.

High-fidelity screens.
Prototypes for usability testing.

Low-Fidelity Wireframes

Home Screen
Access Safe Start feature
Overview Screen
Brief description of safe start
Overview Screen
Teach users the benfits of compound interest
Overview Screen
Explore investment benefits through data visualizations
Investing Goals
Save tailored investment goals
input
Enter financial details to create personalized suggestions
Overview
Overview of financial inputs
Loading screen
Creating personalized financial roadmap
Financial Roadmap
Suggests steps for financial stability and growth
Growth projection
Graphics showing potential growth based on small, consistent investments
Recurring investment
Set automated deposits for long-term wealth building
Finalize your settings
Confirm your personalized auto investment
success screen
Investment setup complete
Home Screen
Access Safe Start feature
Overview Screen
Brief description of safe start
Overview Screen
Teach users the benfits of compound interest
Overview Screen
Explore investment benefits through data visualizations
Investing Goals
Save tailored investment goals
input
Enter financial details to create personalized suggestions
Overview
Overview of financial inputs
Loading screen
Creating personalized financial roadmap
Financial Roadmap
Suggests steps for financial stability and growth
Growth projection
Graphics showing potential growth based on small, consistent investments
Recurring investment
Set automated deposits for long-term wealth building
Finalize your settings
Confirm your personalized auto investment
success screen
Investment setup complete
Home Screen
Access Safe Start feature
Overview Screen
Brief description of safe start
Overview Screen
Teach users the benfits of compound interest
Overview Screen
Explore investment benefits through data visualizations
Investing Goals
Save tailored investment goals
input
Enter financial details to create personalized suggestions
Overview
Overview of financial inputs
Loading screen
Creating personalized financial roadmap
Financial Roadmap
Suggests steps for financial stability and growth
Growth projection
Graphics showing potential growth based on small, consistent investments
Recurring investment
Set automated deposits for long-term wealth building
Finalize your settings
Confirm your personalized auto investment
success screen
Investment setup complete
Home Screen
Access Safe Start feature
Overview Screen
Brief description of safe start
Overview Screen
Teach users the benfits of compound interest
Overview Screen
Explore investment benefits through data visualizations
Investing Goals
Save tailored investment goals
input
Enter financial details to create personalized suggestions
Overview
Overview of financial inputs
Loading screen
Creating personalized financial roadmap
Financial Roadmap
Suggests steps for financial stability and growth
Growth projection
Graphics showing potential growth based on small, consistent investments
Recurring investment
Set automated deposits for long-term wealth building
Finalize your settings
Confirm your personalized auto investment
success screen
Investment setup complete

Home Screen
Access Safe Start feature
Overview Screen
Brief description of safe start
Overview Screen
Teach users the benfits of compound interest
Overview Screen
Explore investment benefits through data visualizations
Investing Goals
Save tailored investment goals
input
Enter financial details to create personalized suggestions
Overview
Overview of financial inputs
Loading screen
Creating personalized financial roadmap
Financial Roadmap
Suggests steps for financial stability and growth
Growth projection
Graphics showing potential growth based on small, consistent investments
Recurring investment
Set automated deposits for long-term wealth building
Finalize your settings
Confirm your personalized auto investment
success screen
Investment setup complete
Home Screen
Access Safe Start feature
Overview Screen
Brief description of safe start
Overview Screen
Teach users the benfits of compound interest
Overview Screen
Explore investment benefits through data visualizations
Investing Goals
Save tailored investment goals
input
Enter financial details to create personalized suggestions
Overview
Overview of financial inputs
Loading screen
Creating personalized financial roadmap
Financial Roadmap
Suggests steps for financial stability and growth
Growth projection
Graphics showing potential growth based on small, consistent investments
Recurring investment
Set automated deposits for long-term wealth building
Finalize your settings
Confirm your personalized auto investment
success screen
Investment setup complete
Home Screen
Access Safe Start feature
Overview Screen
Brief description of safe start
Overview Screen
Teach users the benfits of compound interest
Overview Screen
Explore investment benefits through data visualizations
Investing Goals
Save tailored investment goals
input
Enter financial details to create personalized suggestions
Overview
Overview of financial inputs
Loading screen
Creating personalized financial roadmap
Financial Roadmap
Suggests steps for financial stability and growth
Growth projection
Graphics showing potential growth based on small, consistent investments
Recurring investment
Set automated deposits for long-term wealth building
Finalize your settings
Confirm your personalized auto investment
success screen
Investment setup complete
Home Screen
Access Safe Start feature
Overview Screen
Brief description of safe start
Overview Screen
Teach users the benfits of compound interest
Overview Screen
Explore investment benefits through data visualizations
Investing Goals
Save tailored investment goals
input
Enter financial details to create personalized suggestions
Overview
Overview of financial inputs
Loading screen
Creating personalized financial roadmap
Financial Roadmap
Suggests steps for financial stability and growth
Growth projection
Graphics showing potential growth based on small, consistent investments
Recurring investment
Set automated deposits for long-term wealth building
Finalize your settings
Confirm your personalized auto investment
success screen
Investment setup complete

Low-FIdelity Usability testing
Tested the Robinhood Safe Start feature with 7 blocks and 5 user responses to gather feedback on early design concepts.
User Familiarity with Robinhood
60% of participants had used Robinhood before, validating the feature's appeal to both new and existing users in the target audience.
Log In/Sign Up
This task achieved a 100% success rate with no drop-offs. However, a 23.1% misclick rate suggests room for improving navigation and interaction clarity.
Safe Start Navigation
This task involved navigating to the Safe Start feature, achieving a 100% success rate with no drop-offs. A 16.7% misclick rate and an average completion time of 2.8 seconds indicate an intuitive but improvable design.
Safe Start Process
Users navigated the Safe Start process, achieving 85.7% success with a 14.3% drop-off rate and 48.8% misclick rate. Average task completion time was 14.6 seconds.
Safe Start Navigation Feedback
Participants rated the navigation of the Safe Start feature as highly intuitive, with 80% scoring it "very easy" and an overall average rating of 4.8/5. Minor confusion noted with saved projects.
Participant Suggestions for Improvement
User feedback highlighted ease of navigation but suggested adding more instructional text, resizing elements, and making recurring investment values selectable for improved usability.
Low-FIdelity Usability testing
Tested the Robinhood Safe Start feature with 7 blocks and 5 user responses to gather feedback on early design concepts.
User Familiarity with Robinhood
60% of participants had used Robinhood before, validating the feature's appeal to both new and existing users in the target audience.
Log In/Sign Up
This task achieved a 100% success rate with no drop-offs. However, a 23.1% misclick rate suggests room for improving navigation and interaction clarity.
Safe Start Navigation
This task involved navigating to the Safe Start feature, achieving a 100% success rate with no drop-offs. A 16.7% misclick rate and an average completion time of 2.8 seconds indicate an intuitive but improvable design.
Safe Start Process
Users navigated the Safe Start process, achieving 85.7% success with a 14.3% drop-off rate and 48.8% misclick rate. Average task completion time was 14.6 seconds.
Safe Start Navigation Feedback
Participants rated the navigation of the Safe Start feature as highly intuitive, with 80% scoring it "very easy" and an overall average rating of 4.8/5. Minor confusion noted with saved projects.
Participant Suggestions for Improvement
User feedback highlighted ease of navigation but suggested adding more instructional text, resizing elements, and making recurring investment values selectable for improved usability.
Low-FIdelity Usability testing
Tested the Robinhood Safe Start feature with 7 blocks and 5 user responses to gather feedback on early design concepts.
User Familiarity with Robinhood
60% of participants had used Robinhood before, validating the feature's appeal to both new and existing users in the target audience.
Log In/Sign Up
This task achieved a 100% success rate with no drop-offs. However, a 23.1% misclick rate suggests room for improving navigation and interaction clarity.
Safe Start Navigation
This task involved navigating to the Safe Start feature, achieving a 100% success rate with no drop-offs. A 16.7% misclick rate and an average completion time of 2.8 seconds indicate an intuitive but improvable design.
Safe Start Process
Users navigated the Safe Start process, achieving 85.7% success with a 14.3% drop-off rate and 48.8% misclick rate. Average task completion time was 14.6 seconds.
Safe Start Navigation Feedback
Participants rated the navigation of the Safe Start feature as highly intuitive, with 80% scoring it "very easy" and an overall average rating of 4.8/5. Minor confusion noted with saved projects.
Participant Suggestions for Improvement
User feedback highlighted ease of navigation but suggested adding more instructional text, resizing elements, and making recurring investment values selectable for improved usability.
Low-FIdelity Usability testing
Tested the Robinhood Safe Start feature with 7 blocks and 5 user responses to gather feedback on early design concepts.
User Familiarity with Robinhood
60% of participants had used Robinhood before, validating the feature's appeal to both new and existing users in the target audience.
Log In/Sign Up
This task achieved a 100% success rate with no drop-offs. However, a 23.1% misclick rate suggests room for improving navigation and interaction clarity.
Safe Start Navigation
This task involved navigating to the Safe Start feature, achieving a 100% success rate with no drop-offs. A 16.7% misclick rate and an average completion time of 2.8 seconds indicate an intuitive but improvable design.
Safe Start Process
Users navigated the Safe Start process, achieving 85.7% success with a 14.3% drop-off rate and 48.8% misclick rate. Average task completion time was 14.6 seconds.
Safe Start Navigation Feedback
Participants rated the navigation of the Safe Start feature as highly intuitive, with 80% scoring it "very easy" and an overall average rating of 4.8/5. Minor confusion noted with saved projects.
Participant Suggestions for Improvement
User feedback highlighted ease of navigation but suggested adding more instructional text, resizing elements, and making recurring investment values selectable for improved usability.

Test

Testing was essential to validate the Safe Start feature’s usability, identify areas for improvement, and ensure it meets the needs of first-time investors.

Methods

Conducted unmoderated usability tests with 10 participants using low- and high-fidelity prototypes.

Key Findings

The Safe Start feature achieved an 85.7% success rate, with a low drop-off rate of 14.3%.

Navigation was rated highly intuitive, with all users giving a perfect 5/5 for ease of navigation.

User Familiarity:
- 63% of participants were new to Robinhood, emphasizing the feature’s relevance for onboarding first-time investors.
Positive Feedback on Flow and Simplicity:
- Participants praised the feature’s easy-to-follow structure and clear design.
- Suggestions included adding a progress indicator to improve clarity and set user expectations.
Suggested Improvements:
- Back Navigation: Users wanted the ability to revisit previous screens for added flexibility.
- Investment Customization: Participants noted frustration with the inability to adjust example investment amounts, indicating the need for personalization.

Implemented Changes

Added a progress indicator to display current steps and improve clarity.
Introduced back navigation to allow users to revisit and revise inputs.
Enhanced customization options for investment amounts, providing a more flexible user experience.
Link to priority revisions

Task #1

Locate the Safe Start Feature:

Find and open the Safe Start feature from the main dashboard.

Objective: Assess discoverability of the feature.
Success Criteria: User finds it within 15 seconds.

Task #2

Go Through the Safe Start Process
Navigate through the Safe Start process by reviewing investment goals, inputting financial details, and viewing the growth projection.

Objective: Evaluate clarity, ease of navigation, and motivation to invest.
Success Criteria: User successfully completes the process with minimal guidance.

Task #3

Set Up and Confirm a Recurring Investment
Select an investment amount, view the projection, and confirm the recurring investment setup.

Objective: Test the ease and confidence of finalizing the recurring investment.
Success Criteria: User completes the setup confidently and understands the next steps.

High-FIdelity Prototype testing
Tested the Robinhood Safe Start feature with 12 participants across 5 blocks, gathering insights to further refine.
User Familiarity with Robinhood
58% of testers were new to Robinhood, while 42% had prior experience, providing insights into user demographics and onboarding challenges.
Navigation Clarity Test
Tested how easily users found the Safe Start feature. Results: 100% success rate, 7.7% misclicks—strong usability with minor tweaks needed.
navigating Safe Start
Reviewed ease of navigating Safe Start, accessing investment goals, financial info, and updates. Achieved 90% success rate, 10% drop-off, and 7.6% misclicks.
Ease of Navigation for Safe Start
Participants rated navigation to the Safe Start feature as very easy, with 100% selecting "5" on the ease-of-use scale, highlighting user-friendly design and intuitive flow.
User Feedback Summary
Participants appreciated the straightforward navigation and organized UI but suggested improvements like enabling back navigation, showing progress indicators, and allowing changes to input amounts for a smoother experience.
High-FIdelity Prototype testing
Tested the Robinhood Safe Start feature with 12 participants across 5 blocks, gathering insights to further refine.
User Familiarity with Robinhood
58% of testers were new to Robinhood, while 42% had prior experience, providing insights into user demographics and onboarding challenges.
Navigation Clarity Test
Tested how easily users found the Safe Start feature. Results: 100% success rate, 7.7% misclicks—strong usability with minor tweaks needed.
navigating Safe Start
Reviewed ease of navigating Safe Start, accessing investment goals, financial info, and updates. Achieved 90% success rate, 10% drop-off, and 7.6% misclicks.
Ease of Navigation for Safe Start
Participants rated navigation to the Safe Start feature as very easy, with 100% selecting "5" on the ease-of-use scale, highlighting user-friendly design and intuitive flow.
User Feedback Summary
Participants appreciated the straightforward navigation and organized UI but suggested improvements like enabling back navigation, showing progress indicators, and allowing changes to input amounts for a smoother experience.
High-FIdelity Prototype testing
Tested the Robinhood Safe Start feature with 12 participants across 5 blocks, gathering insights to further refine.
User Familiarity with Robinhood
58% of testers were new to Robinhood, while 42% had prior experience, providing insights into user demographics and onboarding challenges.
Navigation Clarity Test
Tested how easily users found the Safe Start feature. Results: 100% success rate, 7.7% misclicks—strong usability with minor tweaks needed.
navigating Safe Start
Reviewed ease of navigating Safe Start, accessing investment goals, financial info, and updates. Achieved 90% success rate, 10% drop-off, and 7.6% misclicks.
Ease of Navigation for Safe Start
Participants rated navigation to the Safe Start feature as very easy, with 100% selecting "5" on the ease-of-use scale, highlighting user-friendly design and intuitive flow.
User Feedback Summary
Participants appreciated the straightforward navigation and organized UI but suggested improvements like enabling back navigation, showing progress indicators, and allowing changes to input amounts for a smoother experience.
High-FIdelity Prototype testing
Tested the Robinhood Safe Start feature with 12 participants across 5 blocks, gathering insights to further refine.
User Familiarity with Robinhood
58% of testers were new to Robinhood, while 42% had prior experience, providing insights into user demographics and onboarding challenges.
Navigation Clarity Test
Tested how easily users found the Safe Start feature. Results: 100% success rate, 7.7% misclicks—strong usability with minor tweaks needed.
navigating Safe Start
Reviewed ease of navigating Safe Start, accessing investment goals, financial info, and updates. Achieved 90% success rate, 10% drop-off, and 7.6% misclicks.
Ease of Navigation for Safe Start
Participants rated navigation to the Safe Start feature as very easy, with 100% selecting "5" on the ease-of-use scale, highlighting user-friendly design and intuitive flow.
User Feedback Summary
Participants appreciated the straightforward navigation and organized UI but suggested improvements like enabling back navigation, showing progress indicators, and allowing changes to input amounts for a smoother experience.

Priority Revisions
(1) Added back navigation for flexibility in reviewing or adjusting steps. (2) Included a progress indicator to guide users through the setup process.
Priority Revisions
(3) Enabled customizable investment amounts for greater user control and personalization.
Priority Revisions
(1) Added back navigation for flexibility in reviewing or adjusting steps. (2) Included a progress indicator to guide users through the setup process.
Priority Revisions
(3) Enabled customizable investment amounts for greater user control and personalization.
Priority Revisions
(1) Added back navigation for flexibility in reviewing or adjusting steps. (2) Included a progress indicator to guide users through the setup process.
Priority Revisions
(3) Enabled customizable investment amounts for greater user control and personalization.
Priority Revisions
(1) Added back navigation for flexibility in reviewing or adjusting steps. (2) Included a progress indicator to guide users through the setup process.
Priority Revisions
(3) Enabled customizable investment amounts for greater user control and personalization.

Priority Revisions
(1) Added back navigation for flexibility in reviewing or adjusting steps. (2) Included a progress indicator to guide users through the setup process.
Priority Revisions
(3) Enabled customizable investment amounts for greater user control and personalization.
Priority Revisions
(1) Added back navigation for flexibility in reviewing or adjusting steps. (2) Included a progress indicator to guide users through the setup process.
Priority Revisions
(3) Enabled customizable investment amounts for greater user control and personalization.
Priority Revisions
(1) Added back navigation for flexibility in reviewing or adjusting steps. (2) Included a progress indicator to guide users through the setup process.
Priority Revisions
(3) Enabled customizable investment amounts for greater user control and personalization.
Priority Revisions
(1) Added back navigation for flexibility in reviewing or adjusting steps. (2) Included a progress indicator to guide users through the setup process.
Priority Revisions
(3) Enabled customizable investment amounts for greater user control and personalization.

Results

The Safe Start feature simplifies the investment process for beginners, balancing clear guidance with user flexibility to build confidence in financial decisions.

Challenges

Balancing simplicity with the complexity of financial information.
Ensuring clarity for new investors through iterative design.

Lessons

Designing within an established design system fosters creativity while ensuring consistency.
Iterative testing refines user experience and highlights pain points early.

Future Goals

Enhance user customization options for investment plans.
Build features for advanced financial insights while maintaining clarity for beginners.

Takeaways

User research and feedback are vital for addressing real pain points.
Simple, step-by-step guidance empowers users to take confident financial actions.