Problem:
How can we help MSMEs have access to useful tools to help optimize their operations for salary advances and personal loans.
Solution:
A mobile application that caters to the needs of MSMEs with messaging, tracker, shared access, and biometrics features.
Duration:
Less than 2 weeks
Role:
UI/UX Designer
Project Overview
NextPay is a digital banking platform for small businesses and entrepreneurs in the Philippines. They use the NextPay platform to send invoices, collect payments, do payroll, and pay bills. Also, manages finances and removes the steep barriers that Filipino banks and financial institutions typically require: no setup fees, maintaining balances, or ridiculous requirements. NextPay needs help in designing their Mobile Application.
Problem Statement
MSMEs often do not have access to useful tools to help optimize their operations. As a result, most businesses use manual and outdated means of conducting their business.
NextPay wants to make it easier for MSMEs to offer their employees a fast and convenient way to apply for a salary advance or personal loan
Project Objectives
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Design a system or flow that’s easy for employees to apply for and view the progress of salary advances or personal loans
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Design a system or flow that will make it easy for finance members in the company to approve and view an employee’s salary advance or personal loan
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Suggest innovative technologies that can help enhance the overall experience and process
Methodology
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Conduct Research
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Synthesize Research​
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Prototype 1.0
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Concept Testing
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Prototype 2.0
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Iterate Concept
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Mobile Application Value
Limitations
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Lack of access to information about the content to be included in the mobile application ​
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Less than 2 weeks time constraint
Key Insights
Accessibility for convenience
The prototype designed for the usability tests had a
Face ID option for verification.
As feedback, it was mentioned that there should be
more options for verification, as some users would
not have access to facial recognition on their mobile
phones.
Solution:
The second prototype now has another biometric
option for verification, so that users with different
mobile phone types would still have options to
choose from, not by accessibility, but by their own
preferences for convenience.

Tooltips for faster learning
The prototype had sections with labels and details
that were unclear to the participants.
This hindered comprehension of what information
each section would provide to users.
Solution:
The second prototype has tooltips, for users to have
access to supplementary information that would
speed up the learning curve of using the app and
comprehending what the sections would provide to
users.

Messaging for Ease of Use
During both the user interviews and usability tests,
both user types were asked about communication.
Waiting times for employees were not always
clarified, and this would occur because on the
finance member's side, there was no fixed way to
communicate about the process or issues
encountered, unless the employee would physically
return to their office.
Solution:
In each prototype, a messaging feature was
incorporated to ease this pain point.

Tracking System
The prototype designed for the usability tests had a
tracking system similar to those seen in e-commerce apps like Lazada.
It was seen favorably by participants, as it made
tracking their progress easier and more familiar.
One thing improved in the second prototype is that
progress goes from top to bottom, as a participant
mentioned it would make more sense to them in
that format.
