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15:06:15
Splitwise
Splitwise
Splitwise
Splitwise
Improving Group Management and Expense Clarity in Splitwise.
Improving Group Management and Expense Clarity in Splitwise.
Improving Group Management and Expense Clarity in Splitwise.
Improving Group Management and Expense Clarity in Splitwise.
Timeline
Timeline
Timeline
Timeline
Jan 2026
Jan 2026
Jan 2026
Jan 2026
Role
Role
Role
Role
UX/UI Designer
UX/UI Designer
UX/UI Designer
UX/UI Designer
Tools
Tools
Tools
Tools
FIGMA - Make - Lovable
FIGMA - Make - Lovable
FIGMA - Make - Lovable
FIGMA - Make - Lovable
Skills
Skills
Skills
Skills
UX/UI DESIGN - UX Research
UX/UI DESIGN - UX Research
UX/UI DESIGN - UX Research
UX/UI DESIGN - UX Research
context
context
context
context
Splitwise is commonly used in everyday group scenarios such as trips with friends, shared living arrangements, or ongoing group activities. In these situations, managing expenses goes beyond numbers, it requires coordination, trust, and a shared sense of fairness between people.
Splitwise is commonly used in everyday group scenarios such as trips with friends, shared living arrangements, or ongoing group activities. In these situations, managing expenses goes beyond numbers, it requires coordination, trust, and a shared sense of fairness between people.
Splitwise is commonly used in everyday group scenarios such as trips with friends, shared living arrangements, or ongoing group activities. In these situations, managing expenses goes beyond numbers, it requires coordination, trust, and a shared sense of fairness between people.
Splitwise is commonly used in everyday group scenarios such as trips with friends, shared living arrangements, or ongoing group activities. In these situations, managing expenses goes beyond numbers, it requires coordination, trust, and a shared sense of fairness between people.
Problem statement
Problem statement
Problem statement
Problem statement
As groups grow larger and more active, Splitwise becomes harder to use effectively. Users struggle to understand individual contributions, locate key actions like reminders and settle-ups, and get a clear sense of their financial position at a glance. Important actions are scattered across multiple views, increasing cognitive load and making everyday expense management feel slower, more confusing, and mentally taxing, especially in complex group scenarios.
As groups grow larger and more active, Splitwise becomes harder to use effectively. Users struggle to understand individual contributions, locate key actions like reminders and settle-ups, and get a clear sense of their financial position at a glance. Important actions are scattered across multiple views, increasing cognitive load and making everyday expense management feel slower, more confusing, and mentally taxing, especially in complex group scenarios.
As groups grow larger and more active, Splitwise becomes harder to use effectively. Users struggle to understand individual contributions, locate key actions like reminders and settle-ups, and get a clear sense of their financial position at a glance. Important actions are scattered across multiple views, increasing cognitive load and making everyday expense management feel slower, more confusing, and mentally taxing, especially in complex group scenarios.
As groups grow larger and more active, Splitwise becomes harder to use effectively. Users struggle to understand individual contributions, locate key actions like reminders and settle-ups, and get a clear sense of their financial position at a glance. Important actions are scattered across multiple views, increasing cognitive load and making everyday expense management feel slower, more confusing, and mentally taxing, especially in complex group scenarios.
My Role
My Role
My Role
My Role
I drove the end-to-end design process using an AI-assisted workflow, taking ownership from early discovery through final validation. My work included user research, defining user flows, designing high-fidelity wireframes, rapid prototyping, and continuous testing and iteration.
Throughout the process, I leveraged AI tools to accelerate exploration, synthesize insights, and support data-informed decisions, while always grounding design choices in real user needs and usability principles.
I drove the end-to-end design process using an AI-assisted workflow, taking ownership from early discovery through final validation. My work included user research, defining user flows, designing high-fidelity wireframes, rapid prototyping, and continuous testing and iteration.
Throughout the process, I leveraged AI tools to accelerate exploration, synthesize insights, and support data-informed decisions, while always grounding design choices in real user needs and usability principles.
I drove the end-to-end design process using an AI-assisted workflow, taking ownership from early discovery through final validation. My work included user research, defining user flows, designing high-fidelity wireframes, rapid prototyping, and continuous testing and iteration.
Throughout the process, I leveraged AI tools to accelerate exploration, synthesize insights, and support data-informed decisions, while always grounding design choices in real user needs and usability principles.
I drove the end-to-end design process using an AI-assisted workflow, taking ownership from early discovery through final validation. My work included user research, defining user flows, designing high-fidelity wireframes, rapid prototyping, and continuous testing and iteration.
Throughout the process, I leveraged AI tools to accelerate exploration, synthesize insights, and support data-informed decisions, while always grounding design choices in real user needs and usability principles.
Intro & Background
Intro & Background
Intro & Background
Intro & Background
Splitwise at a Glance
Splitwise at a Glance
Splitwise at a Glance
Splitwise at a Glance
Splitwise is a popular expense-sharing platform that helps people easily split bills and track shared costs. It allows friends, roommates, and travel groups to record expenses, see who owes whom, and settle up, all in one organized place.
Splitwise is a popular expense-sharing platform that helps people easily split bills and track shared costs. It allows friends, roommates, and travel groups to record expenses, see who owes whom, and settle up, all in one organized place.
Splitwise is a popular expense-sharing platform that helps people easily split bills and track shared costs. It allows friends, roommates, and travel groups to record expenses, see who owes whom, and settle up, all in one organized place.
Splitwise is a popular expense-sharing platform that helps people easily split bills and track shared costs. It allows friends, roommates, and travel groups to record expenses, see who owes whom, and settle up, all in one organized place.
What Splitwise Offers
What Splitwise Offers
What Splitwise Offers
What Splitwise Offers
Research
Research
Research
Research
What Users Experience
What Users Experience
What Users Experience
What Users Experience
To understand real user frustrations, we analyzed online discussions and app store reviews about Splitwise. These comments revealed recurring issues around transparency, usability, and trust that shaped our problem definition.
To understand real user frustrations, we analyzed online discussions and app store reviews about Splitwise. These comments revealed recurring issues around transparency, usability, and trust that shaped our problem definition.
To understand real user frustrations, we analyzed online discussions and app store reviews about Splitwise. These comments revealed recurring issues around transparency, usability, and trust that shaped our problem definition.
To understand real user frustrations, we analyzed online discussions and app store reviews about Splitwise. These comments revealed recurring issues around transparency, usability, and trust that shaped our problem definition.
Heuristic Evaluations
Heuristic Evaluations
Heuristic Evaluations
Heuristic Evaluations
Where collaboration should flow, Splitwise slows it down.
Where collaboration should flow, Splitwise slows it down.
Where collaboration should flow, Splitwise slows it down.
Where collaboration should flow, Splitwise slows it down.
To understand real user frustrations, we analyzed online discussions and app store reviews about Splitwise. These comments revealed recurring issues around transparency, usability, and trust that shaped our problem definition.
To understand real user frustrations, we analyzed online discussions and app store reviews about Splitwise. These comments revealed recurring issues around transparency, usability, and trust that shaped our problem definition.
To understand real user frustrations, we analyzed online discussions and app store reviews about Splitwise. These comments revealed recurring issues around transparency, usability, and trust that shaped our problem definition.
To understand real user frustrations, we analyzed online discussions and app store reviews about Splitwise. These comments revealed recurring issues around transparency, usability, and trust that shaped our problem definition.
Heuristic Evaluation Results: Key Usability Gaps
Heuristic Evaluation Results: Key Usability Gaps
Heuristic Evaluation Results: Key Usability Gaps
Heuristic Evaluation Results: Key Usability Gaps
The data highlights where users struggle most: expense management, disruptive issue severity, and weak system visibility.
The data highlights where users struggle most: expense management, disruptive issue severity, and weak system visibility.
The data highlights where users struggle most: expense management, disruptive issue severity, and weak system visibility.
The data highlights where users struggle most: expense management, disruptive issue severity, and weak system visibility.
Usability tests with 7 participants, revealed that confusions are mainly around adding new members and the onboarding experience.
Usability tests with 7 participants, revealed that confusions are mainly around adding new members and the onboarding experience.
Usability tests with 7 participants, revealed that confusions are mainly around adding new members and the onboarding experience.
Usability tests with 7 participants, revealed that confusions are mainly around adding new members and the onboarding experience.
Persona
Persona
Persona
Persona
Who we’re designing for
Who we’re designing for
Who we’re designing for
Who we’re designing for
Competitors
Competitors
Competitors
Competitors
Learning from competitors
Learning from competitors
Learning from competitors
Learning from competitors
Automation Significantly Reduces Expense Creation Time
Automation Significantly Reduces Expense Creation Time
Automation Significantly Reduces Expense Creation Time
Automation Significantly Reduces Expense Creation Time
Competitor analysis shows that while Splitwise offers advanced sharing options, its manual data entry slows users down, often taking up to three times longer than competitors. Users who prefer quick mental calculations are not fully supported, whereas competing apps enable expense creation in under ten seconds through automation, built-in currency handling, and clearer, low-effort summaries.
Competitor analysis shows that while Splitwise offers advanced sharing options, its manual data entry slows users down, often taking up to three times longer than competitors. Users who prefer quick mental calculations are not fully supported, whereas competing apps enable expense creation in under ten seconds through automation, built-in currency handling, and clearer, low-effort summaries.
Competitor analysis shows that while Splitwise offers advanced sharing options, its manual data entry slows users down, often taking up to three times longer than competitors. Users who prefer quick mental calculations are not fully supported, whereas competing apps enable expense creation in under ten seconds through automation, built-in currency handling, and clearer, low-effort summaries.
Competitor analysis shows that while Splitwise offers advanced sharing options, its manual data entry slows users down, often taking up to three times longer than competitors. Users who prefer quick mental calculations are not fully supported, whereas competing apps enable expense creation in under ten seconds through automation, built-in currency handling, and clearer, low-effort summaries.
Turning insights into actions
Turning insights into actions
Turning insights into actions
Turning insights into actions
What high-impact ideas can be delivered for Splitwise users
What high-impact ideas can be delivered for Splitwise users
What high-impact ideas can be delivered for Splitwise users
What high-impact ideas can be delivered for Splitwise users
Design Decisions
Design Decisions
Design Decisions
Design Decisions
UI Exploration
UI Exploration
UI Exploration
UI Exploration
Home Screen
Home Screen
Home Screen
Home Screen
To understand real user frustrations, we analyzed online discussions and app store reviews about Splitwise. These comments revealed recurring issues around transparency, usability, and trust that shaped our problem definition.
To understand real user frustrations, we analyzed online discussions and app store reviews about Splitwise. These comments revealed recurring issues around transparency, usability, and trust that shaped our problem definition.
To understand real user frustrations, we analyzed online discussions and app store reviews about Splitwise. These comments revealed recurring issues around transparency, usability, and trust that shaped our problem definition.
To understand real user frustrations, we analyzed online discussions and app store reviews about Splitwise. These comments revealed recurring issues around transparency, usability, and trust that shaped our problem definition.
Reminder
Reminder
Reminder
Reminder
Previously, reminder and settle-up actions were buried within each group’s balances tab, making them difficult to discover and slowing user action. By surfacing these actions directly on the Home screen and within groups, the redesign improves visibility, accessibility, and encourages faster follow-through.
Previously, reminder and settle-up actions were buried within each group’s balances tab, making them difficult to discover and slowing user action. By surfacing these actions directly on the Home screen and within groups, the redesign improves visibility, accessibility, and encourages faster follow-through.
Previously, reminder and settle-up actions were buried within each group’s balances tab, making them difficult to discover and slowing user action. By surfacing these actions directly on the Home screen and within groups, the redesign improves visibility, accessibility, and encourages faster follow-through.
Previously, reminder and settle-up actions were buried within each group’s balances tab, making them difficult to discover and slowing user action. By surfacing these actions directly on the Home screen and within groups, the redesign improves visibility, accessibility, and encourages faster follow-through.
Group Tab
Group Tab
Group Tab
Group Tab
The Groups flow was redesigned to prioritize actions over balances, surfacing clear status indicators and primary actions directly at the group level. This approach improves scannability, reduces cognitive load, and enables users to take action without unnecessary navigation.
The Groups flow was redesigned to prioritize actions over balances, surfacing clear status indicators and primary actions directly at the group level. This approach improves scannability, reduces cognitive load, and enables users to take action without unnecessary navigation.
The Groups flow was redesigned to prioritize actions over balances, surfacing clear status indicators and primary actions directly at the group level. This approach improves scannability, reduces cognitive load, and enables users to take action without unnecessary navigation.
The Groups flow was redesigned to prioritize actions over balances, surfacing clear status indicators and primary actions directly at the group level. This approach improves scannability, reduces cognitive load, and enables users to take action without unnecessary navigation.
Old Screen
Old Screen
Old Screen
Old Screen
Individual group - Old Screen
Individual group - Old Screen
Individual group - Old Screen
Individual group - Old Screen
Expense List and Onboarding
Expense List and Onboarding
Expense List and Onboarding
Expense List and Onboarding
New expense-level features were introduced to reduce unintentional changes and errors, particularly in large groups with varying authority levels. These improvements help guide users through clearer actions and expectations, making expense management more predictable and reducing friction during onboarding.
New expense-level features were introduced to reduce unintentional changes and errors, particularly in large groups with varying authority levels. These improvements help guide users through clearer actions and expectations, making expense management more predictable and reducing friction during onboarding.
New expense-level features were introduced to reduce unintentional changes and errors, particularly in large groups with varying authority levels. These improvements help guide users through clearer actions and expectations, making expense management more predictable and reducing friction during onboarding.
New expense-level features were introduced to reduce unintentional changes and errors, particularly in large groups with varying authority levels. These improvements help guide users through clearer actions and expectations, making expense management more predictable and reducing friction during onboarding.
Group Setting
Group Setting
Group Setting
Group Setting
The original Group Settings screen mixes configuration, balances, and member financial details, making it difficult for users to distinguish between controllable settings and informational content.
The original Group Settings screen mixes configuration, balances, and member financial details, making it difficult for users to distinguish between controllable settings and informational content.
The original Group Settings screen mixes configuration, balances, and member financial details, making it difficult for users to distinguish between controllable settings and informational content.
The original Group Settings screen mixes configuration, balances, and member financial details, making it difficult for users to distinguish between controllable settings and informational content.
Split share options
Split share options
Split share options
Split share options
Designed an educational split-options screen that explains how each splitting method works, reducing confusion and decision friction before users commit to a calculation.
Designed an educational split-options screen that explains how each splitting method works, reducing confusion and decision friction before users commit to a calculation.
Designed an educational split-options screen that explains how each splitting method works, reducing confusion and decision friction before users commit to a calculation.
Designed an educational split-options screen that explains how each splitting method works, reducing confusion and decision friction before users commit to a calculation.
Test
Test
Test
Test
Usability testing insights
Usability testing insights
Usability testing insights
Usability testing insights
Usability testing showed that the Reminder flow significantly reduced the effort of following up on unpaid balances. Participants valued the clear, guided steps and the ability to act on multiple people at once. Improvements focused on increasing the visibility of the reminder entry point in group views and strengthening confirmation feedback after sending a reminder.
Usability testing showed that the Reminder flow significantly reduced the effort of following up on unpaid balances. Participants valued the clear, guided steps and the ability to act on multiple people at once. Improvements focused on increasing the visibility of the reminder entry point in group views and strengthening confirmation feedback after sending a reminder.
Usability testing showed that the Reminder flow significantly reduced the effort of following up on unpaid balances. Participants valued the clear, guided steps and the ability to act on multiple people at once. Improvements focused on increasing the visibility of the reminder entry point in group views and strengthening confirmation feedback after sending a reminder.
Usability testing showed that the Reminder flow significantly reduced the effort of following up on unpaid balances. Participants valued the clear, guided steps and the ability to act on multiple people at once. Improvements focused on increasing the visibility of the reminder entry point in group views and strengthening confirmation feedback after sending a reminder.
Takeaway
Takeaway
Takeaway
Takeaway
What I learned
What I learned
What I learned
What I learned
Beyond using AI to accelerate early exploration and prototyping, this project reinforced how emotionally charged money-related interactions can be. The core challenge wasn’t the calculations themselves, but designing flows that reduce tension, preserve trust, and enable action without straining relationships. While AI sped up iteration, the most meaningful decisions came from understanding user anxiety, social dynamics, and the need for clarity and reassurance—balancing technical efficiency with human sensitivity.
Beyond using AI to accelerate early exploration and prototyping, this project reinforced how emotionally charged money-related interactions can be. The core challenge wasn’t the calculations themselves, but designing flows that reduce tension, preserve trust, and enable action without straining relationships. While AI sped up iteration, the most meaningful decisions came from understanding user anxiety, social dynamics, and the need for clarity and reassurance—balancing technical efficiency with human sensitivity.
Beyond using AI to accelerate early exploration and prototyping, this project reinforced how emotionally charged money-related interactions can be. The core challenge wasn’t the calculations themselves, but designing flows that reduce tension, preserve trust, and enable action without straining relationships. While AI sped up iteration, the most meaningful decisions came from understanding user anxiety, social dynamics, and the need for clarity and reassurance—balancing technical efficiency with human sensitivity.
Beyond using AI to accelerate early exploration and prototyping, this project reinforced how emotionally charged money-related interactions can be. The core challenge wasn’t the calculations themselves, but designing flows that reduce tension, preserve trust, and enable action without straining relationships. While AI sped up iteration, the most meaningful decisions came from understanding user anxiety, social dynamics, and the need for clarity and reassurance—balancing technical efficiency with human sensitivity.
Next Step
Next Step
Next Step
Next Step
What I would do next if I had more time
What I would do next if I had more time
What I would do next if I had more time
What I would do next if I had more time
With more time, I would validate the redesigned flows through usability testing with larger and more diverse groups, focusing on high-stress scenarios such as unpaid balances and long-running group expenses. I would also explore clearer post-action feedback after reminders and settlements to increase user confidence. From a product perspective, I would further refine role-based permissions and edge cases to ensure the system scales to larger groups while maintaining a careful balance between efficiency and emotional sensitivity around money and relationships.
With more time, I would validate the redesigned flows through usability testing with larger and more diverse groups, focusing on high-stress scenarios such as unpaid balances and long-running group expenses. I would also explore clearer post-action feedback after reminders and settlements to increase user confidence. From a product perspective, I would further refine role-based permissions and edge cases to ensure the system scales to larger groups while maintaining a careful balance between efficiency and emotional sensitivity around money and relationships.
With more time, I would validate the redesigned flows through usability testing with larger and more diverse groups, focusing on high-stress scenarios such as unpaid balances and long-running group expenses. I would also explore clearer post-action feedback after reminders and settlements to increase user confidence. From a product perspective, I would further refine role-based permissions and edge cases to ensure the system scales to larger groups while maintaining a careful balance between efficiency and emotional sensitivity around money and relationships.
With more time, I would validate the redesigned flows through usability testing with larger and more diverse groups, focusing on high-stress scenarios such as unpaid balances and long-running group expenses. I would also explore clearer post-action feedback after reminders and settlements to increase user confidence. From a product perspective, I would further refine role-based permissions and edge cases to ensure the system scales to larger groups while maintaining a careful balance between efficiency and emotional sensitivity around money and relationships.
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©2025 SABA AGAHI
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