Refiner • 2024
Refiner • 2024
Empowering users to track and manage subscriptions
Empowering users to track and manage subscriptions
Empowering users to track and manage subscriptions
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
As subscription services continue to rise in popularity, managing multiple subscription services can be overwhelming without clear insight. With that being said, Refiner offers insights into usage rates and sends timely reminders about upcoming charges. This easy process not only makes managing subscriptions simpler but also helps users save money.
As subscription services continue to rise in popularity, managing multiple subscription services can be overwhelming without clear insight. With that being said, Refiner offers insights into usage rates and sends timely reminders about upcoming charges. This easy process not only makes managing subscriptions simpler but also helps users save money.
ROLE
ROLE
Sole Designer
Sole Designer
SKILLS
SKILLS
UX Research
UX Research
UI Design
UI Design
TIMELINE
TIMELINE
2 months (2024)
2 months (2024)
TOOLS
TOOLS
Figma
Figma
PROBLEM
PROBLEM
Users lose track of their subscriptions- which can lead to unnecessary expenses
Users lose track of their subscriptions- which can lead to unnecessary expenses
Users lose track of their subscriptions- which can lead to unnecessary expenses
On average, Americans spend about $300 a month on subscriptions. With so many to keep track of, it's common for people to forget or not use them enough. This not only wastes money but also makes it harder to manage their budgets effectively.
On average, Americans spend about $300 a month on subscriptions. With so many to keep track of, it's common for people to forget or not use them enough. This not only wastes money but also makes it harder to manage their budgets effectively.
GOALS
GOALS
Provide users with clear information to help them decide whether to keep or cancel their subscriptions
Provide users with clear information to help them decide whether to keep or cancel their subscriptions
information
clear
clear information
When users are considering whether to continue or cancel a subscription, they need straightforward and easily accessible information to guide their decision-making process. To achieve this, I implemented these 3 core features.
When users are considering whether to continue or cancel a subscription, they need straightforward and easily accessible information to guide their decision-making process. To achieve this, I implemented these 3 core features.
Core Features
Core Features
Beyond simply tracking subscriptions, Refiner evaluates users' utilization and identifies any with low usage, providing actionable insights to streamline subscriptions
Beyond simply tracking subscriptions, Refiner evaluates users' utilization and identifies any with low usage, providing actionable insights to streamline subscriptions
Analyze utilization rate
Analyze utilization rate
When users are considering whether to continue or cancel a subscription, they need straightforward and easily accessible information to guide their decision-making process. To achieve this, I implemented these 3 core features.
When users are considering whether to continue or cancel a subscription, they need straightforward and easily accessible information to guide their decision-making process. To achieve this, I implemented these 3 core features.
Flagged subscriptions with low usage
Flagged subscriptions with low usage
Users receive proactive alerts when underutilized subscriptions are detected, prompting them to review and potentially cancel services they no longer require. This feature helps users in avoiding unnecessary charges and managing their subscription expenses efficiently
Users receive proactive alerts when underutilized subscriptions are detected, prompting them to review and potentially cancel services they no longer require. This feature helps users in avoiding unnecessary charges and managing their subscription expenses efficiently
End of free trial reminder
End of free trial reminder
Users are alerted before free trials expire, preventing unexpected charges and encouraging responsible subscription management.
Users are alerted before free trials expire, preventing unexpected charges and encouraging responsible subscription management.
With that being said,
With that being said,
It started with discovery research…
It started with discovery research…
DISCOVERY RESEARCH
DISCOVERY RESEARCH
A substantial number of people were impacted
A substantial number of people were impacted
To better understand the issue, I researched how many people were affected. The results showed that many Americans have trouble managing subscriptions. This helped me see just how big the problem is and how many people it affects.
To better understand the issue, I researched how many people were affected. The results showed that many Americans have trouble managing subscriptions. This helped me see just how big the problem is and how many people it affects.
42%
42%
Continued to pay for subscriptions they no longer used
Continued to pay for subscriptions they no longer used
70%
Forgot to cancel their free trials
$348
Average Americans waste per month on unused subscriptions
70%
Forgot to cancel their free trials
$348
Average Americans waste per month on unused subscriptions
42%
Continued to pay for subscriptions they no longer used
70%
Forgot to cancel their free trials
$348
Average Americans waste per month on unused subscriptions
USER RESEARCH
USER RESEARCH
Understanding the common pain points and user needs
Understanding the common pain points and user needs
After I landed on the target audiences, I conducted user research to identify the common pain points and user needs. With over 10 screener surveys and 5 user interviews, it helped me gather more data to get down to the core of the problem.
After I landed on the target audiences, I conducted user research to identify the common pain points and user needs. With over 10 screener surveys and 5 user interviews, it helped me gather more data to get down to the core of the problem.
Tech-Savvy Millennial Who Enjoys Trying New Digital Services
Michael
28 years old
Software Developer
"Since I'm constantly trying out new subscriptions, I tend to lose track of them. I need help receiving reminders for expiring trials so I can decide whether I want to keep or cancel it."
Busy Working Professional with Multiple Subscriptions
Sarah
35 years old
Marketing Manager
"With my busy work schedule, I struggle to keep track of subscriptions I no longer use. I need a convenient solution to identify and cancel unnecessary subscriptions quickly and easily."
Tech-Savvy Millennial Who Enjoys Trying New Digital Services
Michael
28 years old
Software Developer
"Since I'm constantly trying out new subscriptions, I tend to lose track of them. I need help receiving reminders for expiring trials so I can decide whether I want to keep or cancel it."
Busy Working Professional with Multiple Subscriptions
Sarah
35 years old
Marketing Manager
"With my busy work schedule, I struggle to keep track of subscriptions I no longer use. I need a convenient solution to identify and cancel unnecessary subscriptions quickly and easily."
KEY INSIGHTS
KEY INSIGHTS
Users need reminders to manage subscriptions effectively
Users need reminders to manage subscriptions effectively
Throughout this journey, the user experienced a shift from excitement with the new subscriptions to frustration and realization of the need to cancel it due to the lack of use.
Throughout this journey, the user experienced a shift from excitement with the new subscriptions to frustration and realization of the need to cancel it due to the lack of use.
VISUAL DESIGN IDEATION
VISUAL DESIGN IDEATION
Piecing together the components for low-fidelity wireframes
Piecing together the components for low-fidelity wireframes
Based on the data I gathered, I ensured the information remained straightforward and clear and only showcased the key elements.
Based on the data I gathered, I ensured the information remained straightforward and clear and only showcased the key elements.
UI LIBRARY
UI LIBRARY
Developing the visual identity
Developing the visual identity
To create a modern and user-friendly interface, I chose a simple color scheme with minimal use of colors to highlight important messages. Following accessibility guidelines was crucial, so I focused on color contrast and made adjustments as needed to make sure the interface was easy to use for everyone. After some tweaking, I managed to create a design that not only met but exceeded accessibility standards.
To create a modern and user-friendly interface, I chose a simple color scheme with minimal use of colors to highlight important messages. Following accessibility guidelines was crucial, so I focused on color contrast and made adjustments as needed to make sure the interface was easy to use for everyone. After some tweaking, I managed to create a design that not only met but exceeded accessibility standards.
DESIGN ITERATION
DESIGN ITERATION
But before landing on the final design, I went through a few rounds of iterations
But before landing on the final design, I went through a few rounds of iterations
While iterating on my design, I focused on conveying necessary information and implementing key features. Below are some explorations of the key elements.
While iterating on my design, I focused on conveying necessary information and implementing key features. Below are some explorations of the key elements.
End of free trial notification exploration
End of free trial notification exploration
I created a dashboard feature to alert users about the end of their free trial period. Initially, the feature required a click-through to access subscription details. But, user testing revealed that users prefer a more direct way to cancel their subscriptions. So, I updated the feature to provide all necessary information upfront, allowing users to make an informed decision about canceling their subscriptions.
I created a dashboard feature to alert users about the end of their free trial period. Initially, the feature required a click-through to access subscription details. But, user testing revealed that users prefer a more direct way to cancel their subscriptions. So, I updated the feature to provide all necessary information upfront, allowing users to make an informed decision about canceling their subscriptions.
INITIAL
FINAL
INITIAL
FINAL
INITIAL
FINAL
Flagged subscription exploration
Flagged subscription exploration
This feature notifies users of inactive subscriptions within a timeframe. Initially, I color-coded alerts in red. However, after user testing, I simplified the approach with a concise alert message and icon at the top as the users felt that the color code system felt redundant. I also added upfront info like subscription type and category label based on user feedback.
This feature notifies users of inactive subscriptions within a timeframe. Initially, I color-coded alerts in red. However, after user testing, I simplified the approach with a concise alert message and icon at the top as the users felt that the color code system felt redundant. I also added upfront info like subscription type and category label based on user feedback.
FINAL
INITIAL
FINAL
INITIAL
FINAL
INITIAL
SOLUTION
SOLUTION
Prototyping the idea
Prototyping the idea
After making several iterations to the UI and user flow, I finally arrived at the final design. Throughout the design process, I kept in mind the importance of maintaining a clean and minimal UI design by only implementing colors in areas where it was necessary to highlight important information.
After making several iterations to the UI and user flow, I finally arrived at the final design. Throughout the design process, I kept in mind the importance of maintaining a clean and minimal UI design by only implementing colors in areas where it was necessary to highlight important information.
New subscription reminder
New subscription reminder
To encourage users to stay on top of new subscriptions, a gentle reminder has been integrated into the Dashboard page, streamlining the process of taking necessary actions.
To encourage users to stay on top of new subscriptions, a gentle reminder has been integrated into the Dashboard page, streamlining the process of taking necessary actions.
Flagged subscriptions based on utilization
Flagged subscriptions based on utilization
Refiner aims to keep users informed about their underused subscriptions. To achieve this, I created a page that highlights these subscriptions. Users can check the ratio between time spent and total login time to decide if any subscription requires attention.
Refiner aims to keep users informed about their underused subscriptions. To achieve this, I created a page that highlights these subscriptions. Users can check the ratio between time spent and total login time to decide if any subscription requires attention.
Categorizing the subscriptions
Categorizing the subscriptions
Based on feedback from user testing, it became clear that users preferred a more structured and organized approach to gain a holistic understanding of their expenses. By categorizing expenses, users can readily compare their spending to their budget and assess available funds for potential new subscriptions.
Based on feedback from user testing, it became clear that users preferred a more structured and organized approach to gain a holistic understanding of their expenses. By categorizing expenses, users can readily compare their spending to their budget and assess available funds for potential new subscriptions.
RESULTS
RESULTS
User testing for feedback and insights
User testing for feedback and insights
I tested the prototype on Figma with 10 users over a week, observing their interactions and gathering feedback. After implementing the changes that were needed, all 10 users were satisfied with the final design. Seeing their reaction during this process motivated me to design with their needs in mind.
I tested the prototype on Figma with 10 users over a week, observing their interactions and gathering feedback. After implementing the changes that were needed, all 10 users were satisfied with the final design. Seeing their reaction during this process motivated me to design with their needs in mind.
NEXT STEPS
NEXT STEPS
Considering strategies for measuring the sucess metric
Considering strategies for measuring the sucess metric
Although this is a personal project, I wanted to think beyond the design process to think about how this would proceed in a business setting. With that being said, having features like alerting users about low utilization rate subscriptions and the impending end of free trial periods, several key performance indicators (KPIs) can help measure its effectiveness and user engagement.
Although this is a personal project, I wanted to think beyond the design process to think about how this would proceed in a business setting. With that being said, having features like alerting users about low utilization rate subscriptions and the impending end of free trial periods, several key performance indicators (KPIs) can help measure its effectiveness and user engagement.
User Engagement Metrics
Number of active users: This metric provides insights into the overall user base and how many users are actively engaging with the platform over a given period. It is vital for gauging the popularity and user adoption.
Subscription Management Metrics
Number of users who canceled or kept their subscriptions: In order to understand the user's behaviors, tracking their percentage rate provides insights into user satisfaction and whether there are any pain points or areas for improvement.
User Engagement Metrics
Number of active users: This metric provides insights into the overall user base and how many users are actively engaging with the platform over a given period. It is vital for gauging the popularity and user adoption.
Subscription Management Metrics
Number of users who canceled or kept their subscriptions: In order to understand the user's behaviors, tracking their percentage rate provides insights into user satisfaction and whether there are any pain points or areas for improvement.
REFLECTION
REFLECTION
Managing user expectations can be challenging
Managing user expectations can be challenging
Users were initially hesitant to input sensitive bank information into the app, but later interviews revealed that many preferred to input their card information so that the app could detect unknown subscriptions. To avoid users missing out on unknown subscriptions, the app now offers an option to input bank information.
Users were initially hesitant to input sensitive bank information into the app, but later interviews revealed that many preferred to input their card information so that the app could detect unknown subscriptions. To avoid users missing out on unknown subscriptions, the app now offers an option to input bank information.
Valuing the importance of data
Valuing the importance of data
Using data to support ideas is really important, and this project made me realize just how crucial research is. Even though I didn't know much about subscription cancellation apps at first, I took the time to learn. With that being said, this experience showed me the value of research and how helpful data can be in making decisions.
Using data to support ideas is really important, and this project made me realize just how crucial research is. Even though I didn't know much about subscription cancellation apps at first, I took the time to learn. With that being said, this experience showed me the value of research and how helpful data can be in making decisions.