Bundl
A fun conceptualization of habit building products.
The Final Product ↓
PROCESSES
Research
Branding
End-to-end Design
OVERVIEW
A niche but expensive problem: microtransactions in games blur the line between virtual and real-world spending.
Shelling out $5 on gems for shiny enchanted armor and another $10 tomorrow to unlock the latest legend- microtransactions have become a clever pricing strategy for game developers.
And though these small, frequent purchases might enhance your gaming experience, they also obscure your perspective on your overall spending.
PROJECT NEED & PROBLEM
But why zoom into this niche problem instead of the broader issue of overall spending habits?
This niche approach not only provides meaningful benefits to gamers but also serves as a case study for how specialized solutions can foster healthy habits. These habits, once established, can be applied to broader spending behaviors, making this niche solution a model for addressing larger financial challenges.
SOLUTION
A playful and simple introduction to habit building and expense tracking.
Designed specifically for this target audience of gamers, Bundl's transaction entry process is streamlined and swift, promoting a positive budgeting habit—all while making the most of idle time during gaming queues.
4 PHASES
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Cumulative spending costs are shocking and easy to overlook.
Users enjoy spending, but do not like feeling surprised by their cumulative spendings.
Lack of transparency on most gaming platforms is frustrating.
WHAT ARE WE NOT?
Bundl is not a comprehensive financial management platform.
In essence, Bundl's core identity is centered around providing a niche and focused solution for tracking and optimizing in-game expenses, distinguishing itself from more comprehensive financial platforms and social finance applications.
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
To increase the likelihood of habit building, Bundl’s user flow need to be simple and seamlessly fall into a gamer's routine.
ITERATE & VALIDATE
Prototypes were validated through Heuristic evaluation, adherence to Gestalt Principles, and user testing.
Gestalt Principle - Common Region & Proximity
Problem
“I can’t tell what is a part of what.”
Not enough spatial distinction between Budget Tool and Spending Overview
Solution
Visually group section headers with common background
Usability Heuristic: Aesthetic and Minimalist Design
Problem
Variety of graphs is distracting and feels a bit messy
Too many options and detailed breakdown felt overwhelming: less is more for Bundl
Solution
Focus on dividing categories By Game
Switch from bar graph to donut chart because the latter is easier to see the full picture at a quick glance
User interviews revealed that most users do not spend money on more than 3-4 games
Usability Heuristic: Flexibility and Efficiency of Use
Problem
Bundl needs to be as easy and quick as possible. This is an extra step that might feel tedious for users who are quickly inputing a transaction and want to get back to their game
Solution
Add quick-select chips tailored to frequent and quick user actions
The option to manually input new categories is there as well
Chips will retain up to two lines of categories based on the users recent transaction entries
STYLEGUIDE
Dark mode first!
Following the default dark theme of popular game launchers like Steam and Epic Games, Bundl's design is dark mode first.
FINAL PRODUCT
Building Healthy Habits: A Targeted Solution for In-Game Spending.
Homepage Overview
Transaction Flow
Spending Insights
CONCLUSION
Ideally, integrating APIs from game developers would simplify transaction tracking, giving users automatic insights into their spending. However, transparency is often limited in these-profit driven business models.
This project was inspired by my own experiences with in-game transactions. As a casual spender, I didn't realize how quickly $5 here and $10 there could add up. While there's nothing wrong with enjoying a hobby that involves spending, an easier, more transparent way to track would be valuable to the user.