Investment App Overhaul (Kotak Cherry) with +108% CR, 100k+ onboarded

Investment App Overhaul (Kotak Cherry) with +108% CR, 100k+ onboarded

Redesigned Kotak Cherry’s investing experience end‑to‑end: clarified fund details, simplified onboarding and post‑transaction flows, and added portfolio at‑a‑glance. Measured over 3 months with Adobe Analytics & Clevertap.

Fintech

App

Growth

A/B Test

Core research

Key information

I worked as a product designer from 0 to 1

I worked as a product designer from 0 to 1

I worked as a product designer from 0 to 1

Used Figma and Adobe software tools to design the visuals

Used Figma and Adobe software tools to design the visuals

Used Figma and Adobe software tools to design the visuals

It took more than 20+ weeks to complete the v1 project

It took more than 20+ weeks to complete the v1 project

It took more than 20+ weeks to complete the v1 project

5 Designers have worked together to make it happen

5 Designers have worked together to make it happen

5 Designers have worked together to make it happen

Context

Helping everyday users invest confidently based on their comfort, goals, and needs.

Helping everyday users invest confidently based on their comfort, goals, and needs.

Helping everyday users invest confidently based on their comfort, goals, and needs.

I joined Kotak Cherry with a mission to transform the investment experience into something intuitive, transparent, and empowering. Working alongside a talented team of five, we set out to discover where users struggled most and how design could make a meaningful difference.

My Design team including me and Kotak Design head - Chetan Sharma (2022)

Timeline of the project

Week 1-2

User research and interviews

User research and interviews

User research and interviews

Week 3-7

Ideation and prototyping

Ideation and prototyping

Ideation and prototyping

Week 7-14

Design iterations and usability testing

Design iterations and usability testing

Design iterations and usability testing

Week 15-20

Dev handoff and v1 launch successfully

Dev handoff and v1 launch successfully

Dev handoff and v1 launch successfully

Challenge

How might we help users effortlessly find the right financial products and gain a clear, holistic view of their investments?

How might we help users effortlessly find the right financial products and gain a clear, holistic view of their investments?

How might we help users effortlessly find the right financial products and gain a clear, holistic view of their investments?

While doing research, data revealed a troubling pattern: a sharp drop-off when users hit fund details and buy pages. Our customer relationship managers were flooded with calls from frustrated customers seeking clarity on their portfolios.

AI generated image

Some targets that the business wants to achieve

1

Simplifying the onboarding journey

Simplifying the onboarding journey

Simplifying the onboarding journey

Attract and retain a diverse user base across India and specifically Kotak account holders.

2

Increase monthly investment contributions

Increase monthly investment contributions

Increase monthly investment contributions

Make transactions seamless to reduce dropoffs and offer better products.

3

Supportive and thoughtful communication

Supportive and thoughtful communication

Supportive and thoughtful communication

Engage users through new, delightful channels that educate and support.

Research

I reached out to a few right users and conducted a usability study to identify the WHYs

I reached out to a few right users and conducted a usability study to identify the WHYs

I reached out to a few right users and conducted a usability study to identify the WHYs

The usability study and user interview were conducted to identify what specific difficulties and pain points users experience when completing core tasks like investing in assets, monitoring portfolios, tracking watchlists, and withdrawing investments.

Users need quick access to fund performance data before investing

They crave a clean, simple portfolio overview to monitor their investments effortlessly

Key frustrations arise in tracking assets, managing watchlists, and withdrawing funds

persona (main pain points)

Brainstorming

We opened Figma to create wireframes, prioritising quantity over quality, and eliminated those that were not aligned with user needs.

We opened Figma to create wireframes, prioritising quantity over quality, and eliminated those that were not aligned with user needs.

We opened Figma to create wireframes, prioritising quantity over quality, and eliminated those that were not aligned with user needs.

We eliminated many ideas that were not fully aligned with user needs, focusing on those that could benefit both the user and the business. We have made around 20-50 screens to find the correct and simple journey.

20-50 screens

It’s time for visuals

It’s time for visuals

Homepage

Spotlight core products

Spotlight core products

Spotlight core products

We gave key offerings prime real estate on the home screen, letting users make fast, confident decisions without cognitive overload. We grouped Cherry exclusives in distinct sections for better discoverability during scrolling.

Portfolio

Portfolio overview at a glance

Portfolio overview at a glance

Portfolio overview at a glance

Users now see their total investment value, assets by type, holdings, and invested amounts. An all-in-one intuitive view that builds confidence and reduces anxiety.

Fund details

Transparent performance graphs and details

Transparent performance graphs and details

Transparent performance graphs and details

The fund detail screen was revamped to present vital information clearly helping users make rational, informed choices with full transparency.

Buy

Seamless, stress-free buying journey

Seamless, stress-free buying journey

Seamless, stress-free buying journey

We simplified the investment process, especially the post-transaction experience known for causing stress. Helpful icons, tooltips, and minimalist flows ensured users felt supported every step of the way.

Account

Personalization and engagement

Personalization and engagement

Personalization and engagement

Users could view and edit their profile and investment details effortlessly. We gamified profile picture selection through an investment preference quiz, while adding custom theme settings, security options, risk profiles, and notifications.

Impact

Once the product was launched, we received appreciation from loyal customers and feedback for improvement.

Once the product was launched, we received appreciation from loyal customers and feedback for improvement.

Once the product was launched, we received appreciation from loyal customers and feedback for improvement.

Following launch and rigorous testing cycles (usability, validations, UAT), we measured these achievements over 3 months with Adobe Analytics and Clevertap:

135%

135%

135%

Increase in user engagement

108%

108%

108%

Growth in conversion rate

100,000+

100,000+

100,000+

New users onboarded partially/fully

business standard news

business standard news

What I learned so far

Designing solutions that truly resonate

Designing solutions that truly resonate

Designing solutions that truly resonate

This project was a masterclass in balancing user needs with business goals. I sharpened my critical thinking and design process, ensuring every feature served a clear purpose and delivered joy and clarity.

Together, our team crafted an investment experience that’s not just functional and intuitive, but genuinely educates and empowers users, fostering confidence on their financial journey.

Thank you

Thank you

Thank you