ZenStock
Stock Simulation & Learning Environment
A comprehensive UX case study for a finance application focused on Gen Z investors. ZenStock is a stock learning/simulation application designed to provide a clutter-free, minimalist trading experience for young investors who want to learn without the complexity of traditional trading platforms.
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Project Type
UX Case Study
Duration
8 weeks
Role
Sole UX Designer
Tools
Figma, Miro, User Research
Project Overview
ZenStock is a stock trading app that simplifies the complex world of stock trading into an intuitive, user-friendly experience. Unlike traditional platforms that overwhelm users with excessive information, ZenStock focuses on the essentials: buying and selling with only concise, relevant stock information.
The app's philosophy is to 'be a stock simulation app and nothing else' - providing users with a clean, functional interface that encourages learning through doing, while allowing them to conduct deeper research elsewhere. This approach reduces cognitive load and creates a more accessible entry point for young investors.
Design Process
User Research & Persona Development
Demographics
- Name: Jimmy Donaldson
- Age: 21
- Location: Austin, Texas
- Occupation: Student
- Status: Single
Goals
- • Start learning to earn early
- • Trade from phone with minimal effort
- • Compare progress with friends
- • Build strong financial foundations
Frustrations
- • Can't spend over 30 minutes daily
- • Too much complexity in existing apps
- • Distracted by crypto/NFTs/meme stocks
- • Overwhelming information overload
'I don't have enough hours in a day to get all my work done, so I need an app that moves as fast as me.'
User Story
As a student on the go, I want to manage my investments in a short amount of time. I want an app that can help me achieve that so I can learn about investing from an early age.
Design Solutions
Key Design Principles
- 1Minimalist Interface: Clean, uncluttered design focusing only on essential trading functions
- 2Quick Actions: Streamlined buy/sell process optimized for mobile use
- 3Essential Information Only: Concise stock data without overwhelming details
- 4Learning-Focused: Simulation environment that encourages experimentation
Technical Implementation
- 1Responsive Design: Optimized for mobile-first experience
- 2Real-time Data: Live stock prices and portfolio updates
- 3Intuitive Navigation: Clear information architecture
- 4Performance Optimization: Fast loading times for quick decision-making
Design System & Components
Color Palette
Interactive Elements
Typography
Key Features
Core Functionality
- ✓Simplified Trading: Buy and sell stocks with minimal clicks
- ✓Portfolio Tracking: Real-time balance and performance monitoring
- ✓Stock Search: Quick lookup with essential information only
- ✓Performance Analytics: Basic charts and percentage changes
User Experience
- ✓30-Second Setup: Get started in under a minute
- ✓Intuitive Navigation: Four-tab structure for easy access
- ✓Visual Feedback: Clear success/error states
- ✓Mobile-First: Optimized for on-the-go trading
Design Outcomes
Note: This is a personal UX case study project designed to demonstrate design thinking and UX methodology. While not implemented, the design process and outcomes showcase comprehensive user research, interface design, and design system creation.
Key Learnings & Insights
Design Insights
- • Less is More: Removing features can actually improve user experience
- • User Research is Critical: Understanding the target audience's constraints led to better design decisions
- • Mobile-First Matters: Young users primarily interact through mobile devices
- • Simplicity Scales: Clean interfaces are easier to maintain and iterate upon
Technical Insights
- • Performance is UX: Fast loading times directly impact user satisfaction
- • Real-time Data: Live updates create trust and engagement
- • Responsive Design: Consistent experience across devices is essential
- • Accessibility: Clear contrast and readable typography improve usability
Conclusion
The ZenStock project demonstrates the power of user-centered design in creating solutions that truly meet user needs. By focusing on the core problem - making stock trading accessible to busy young investors - the design successfully eliminates complexity while maintaining functionality.
This case study showcases my ability to conduct comprehensive user research, develop detailed personas, create intuitive user interfaces, and deliver a complete design system. The project highlights my skills in UX design, user research, prototyping, and understanding of user psychology in the context of financial applications.
Design Mockups
