Gamified Banking App
Vaulted is a conceptual mobile banking app that uses game mechanics and visual progression systems to help young adults build better financial habits.
The project explores how gamification, social competition, and visual feedback can make financial management more engaging and intuitive.
[ UI / UX DESIGN ]
Role: UX/UI Design
Tools: Figma, Illustrator
Project Type: University Project (Autonomy 2025)
Duration: ~8–10 weeks
THE PROBLEM
Many digital banking apps present financial data as static numbers and graphs, which can feel overwhelming or disengaging for younger users.
Apps like Monzo and Revolut provide strong financial tools but often lack:
• Emotional engagement
• Motivating feedback systems
• Visual indicators of financial progress
For students and young adults who are managing money independently for the first time, this can make financial literacy difficult to develop.
KEY QUESTION:
How might we make managing money feel motivating rather than stressful?
THE IDEA
Vaulted transforms personal finance into a game-like experience.
Instead of simply tracking money, the app introduces visual progression systems inspired by RPGs and strategy games.
Users manage real finances while unlocking progression systems such as:
• evolving vault visuals
• skill trees
• ranks and achievements
• community competition
The goal is to make financial growth something users can see and feel.
UNIQUE CONCEPT IDEAS
GUILD SYSTEM CONCEPT
Player can choose a between guilds that offer different financial goals tailored to each user
SKILL TREES
A range of different progression based skill trees that unlock financial benefits based on bank account management.
DYNAMIC TECH-TREE SYSTEM
Multiple choices of financial paths to choose from based on the users financial needs and long-term goals.
RESEARCH
To understand the existing landscape, I analysed several finance and gamified learning platforms.
Digital Banking Apps
-
Monzo
-
Revolut
Strengths:
-
clean UI
-
useful analytics
-
budgeting tools
Limitations:
-
static financial insights
-
minimal engagement mechanics
Gamified Finance Platforms
-
Zogo
-
Gimi
Strengths:
-
strong reward structures
-
interactive learning
Limitations:
-
limited real financial integration
-
simplified design for younger users
INSIGHT:
There is a gap between real banking tools and engaging learning systems. Vaulted aims to bridge this gap.
CORE FEATURES
Bank Building System
A feature within the app that allows players to rapidly determine the growth, decay and overall state of their finances. Players are able to invest in various constructible features that serve as a layer of financial protection from poor investments.
Features Include:
• Visual indicator of financial growth/decay
• Customizable bank features that offer incentives
• A repetitive reward system
A fun and engaging way for users to personalize their bank accounts, view important statistics as well as laying out clear plans for users to work towards.
CORE FEATURES
Gamified Vault System:
Users’ financial behaviour dynamically changes the visual state of their vault.
Positive behaviour results in:
• accumulating treasure
• upgraded vault architecture
• visual growth
Poor financial habits result in visible deterioration.
This creates a clear emotional connection between behaviour and outcome.
CORE FEATURES
Rank & Progression System:
Inspired by competitive online games, users progress through ranks based on financial behaviour.
Features include:
• seasonal rankings
• leaderboards
• achievement milestones
This encourages long-term engagement with financial management.
Tech Tree Progression
Users unlock abilities through a financial strategy skill tree.
Example paths:
• Wealth Builder
• Entrepreneur
• Risk Manager
• Guardian Saver
Each path rewards different financial behaviours.
CORE FEATURES
Marketplace and Trade System:
Inspired by competitive online game markets that trade in-game items such as Counter-Strike:Global Offense and Escape from Tarkov. User's determine the market value are various items giving the app more life and investment.
Features include:
• Global Player Market
• ln-game Trade system
• Real-time marketplace
This encourages user cooperation, wise investment planning and increased financial literacy.
CORE FEATURES
Guild System
Users can join themed guilds that represent different financial lifestyles.
Examples:
• student guild
• freelancer guild
• investor guild
Guilds allow users to:
• compete in challenges
• compare progress
• collaborate in community goals
This adds a social layer to financial growth.
DESIGN PROCESS
Sketching & Concept Development
Early ideas were explored through extensive sketchbook ideation, focusing on:
• banking UI structure
• gamification mechanics
• progression systems
DESIGN PROCESS
Wireframing
Mobile wireframes were developed based on modern banking design systems.
Key focus areas:
• clear hierarchy
• intuitive financial navigation
• integration of game mechanics without disrupting usability
All Sketchbook Pages/Full Case-Study document:
FINAL OUTCOME
Vaulted demonstrates how game design principles can improve engagement with financial tools.
By combining:
• traditional banking UX patterns
• RPG-style progression systems
• visual feedback tied to behaviour
the project reimagines personal finance as an interactive experience rather than a passive task.
Motion Graphics
INCOME RECEIVED ANIMATION
LOADING ANIMATION #1
LOADING ANIMATION #2
LOADING ANIMATION #3
LOADING ANIMATION #4
REGISTRATION PAGE PHASES ANIMATION
PROTOTYPE
REFLECTION
This project allowed me to explore the intersection of product design, gamification, and behavioral UX.
Key takeaways:
• Gamification must support usability, not distract from it
• Visual feedback can strongly influence user motivation
• Financial tools have untapped potential for engaging design systems
NEXT STEPS
Future development could include:
• real banking API integration
• behavioural finance research testing
• expanded social features
MOCKUPS
VIEW THE FULL CASE-STUDY
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