Hey there, fellow UX/UI designers! Ok. So if I told you that designing banking apps or the like is just like designing a pinball game I would be a big ‘ol liar. However, these apps don’t have to be the generic, standard apps that they so often end up being. Look at the task from a different mindset. The processes may be more similar than you think.
One way designing a finance app is a lot like designing a pinball game is that both require a careful balance of providing the right information, at the right time, in the right order… while also creating an engaging experience for the user.
We know that one of the key components to achieving an engaging user experience is through UX/UI design. By creating a visually appealing and intuitive “game”, we can keep “players” coming back for more. We want to use our design skills to create an engaging and motivating experience for users no matter what type of app or website we are creating. We want users to feel like they’re “winning” with the app they choose, where they can set goals, track their progress, and ultimately score big.
In both pinball game design and banking app design, personalisation is also crucial. By tailoring the experience to the individual user, we can create a sense of ownership and investment in the game or app. In pinball games, this might mean allowing players to customise the theme or difficulty level. In banking apps, it might mean customised alerts, personalised spending categories, and rewards for reaching milestones.
Ultimately, as designers, our goal is to create an experience that keeps “players” engaged and motivated to achieve their goals. By incorporating elements of game design into these other types of apps, we can create an experience that’s not only informative but also engaging and rewarding.
So let’s continue to push the boundaries of design and create inspired apps of all types, and possibly play a few extra games of pinball, you know, for research!