Learn how I simplified Spark's interface and guidance to help new investors navigate the stock market with confidence.
Role: UX/UI Design
Simplifying Spark for New Investors
From Fear to Action
The genesis of this project was deeply personal. Like many first-time investors, I found myself standing at the edge of the stock market, excited but paralyzed by fear.
I was overwhelmed by its complexity, the financial jargon and data were intimidating. 
Worse yet, I knew I wasn't alone..It became clear: 
Something needed to change!
Spark's Financial Data Overwhelms Beginners
The Spark trading platform, while robust and feature-rich, suffers from the same flaw many trading systems do: it’s built for the knowledgeable, the experienced, and those fluent in financial jargon. For a beginner, 
it can feel like being thrown into the deep end of the pool without learning to swim first.
What Are the Users Saying?
In order to understand user challenges, I conducted a survey and interviewed traders of various levels, different ages, both passive and active investors, as well as those who use other trading platforms.
58%
Experienced significant difficulty during their initial use of the system.
51%
Have trouble navigating the system.
48%
Struggle to understand trading terms in the platform.
36%
Find it difficult to execute trades.
Tal, 47
“In the beginning, I had to call the trading desk for unclear terms or commission charges."
Hod Hasharon, Israel
May, 27
“I couldn't figure out where to find the stocks
I just purchased.”
Tel Aviv, Israel
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Uri, 36
“I didn't understand 'cost change,' the previous value, or my profit today.”
Ashdod, Israel
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Sivan, 32
"I couldn't make a purchase on my own and had to rely on my sister, and I still do to this day."
Ra'anana, Israel
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Overwhelming Interface
The interface is overloaded with complex data points, charts, and graphs that are often impenetrable for a new user. The volume of information can paralyze rather than empower.
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Lack of User-Level Differentiation
Users have different learning curves and unique needs that are not adequately addressed.
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Insufficient System Guidance
The tutorials focus more on investments than on how to navigate the system. Initial guidance fails to provide users with enough support and confidence.
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Alternatives
There are very few alternatives for trading platforms dealing with shekel-denominated securities.
Old version
My Vision: 
Making Investing Accessible and Reshaping the way people think about investing.
How to Make Finance Understandable for Everyone?
After identifying the challenges, I researched competitors to see how they solved issues for beginners. I spoke with investment firm agents and financial group leaders on Facebook to gather insights. Additionally, I analyzed social media feedback, leading to the following conclusions:
Going Back to Basics
Breaking down complex financial events into simple, easy-to-understand terms.
Trust is key

Building trust requires speaking plainly and arranging information in a logical, intuitive way.
Context Matters
Focus on what is important to the user in the moment, while adding valuable elements that enhance understanding.
01
How I tailored the system for different trader levels?
Creating Different User Modes

I tailored the content according to the user's needs, allowing them to grow and advance with the system, moving to a more advanced level whenever they choose.
02
How I helped beginner users overcome obstacles and start trading?
Initial System Guidance
Providing step-by-step assistance while learning the platform.
03
How I helped them become familiar with the language of trading?
Simplifying Terms and Adding Explanations
Breaking down financial concepts with clear explanations for every action.
04
How I allowed them to practice trading without fear?
Demo Trading Option
Allowing users to practice and build confidence without risk.
Focusing on the Key Trading Step: Buying
After identifying the users' pain points, I mapped out the key actions needed for trading and chose to focus on buying. This step can be the most intimidating, as it's when users take the plunge and begin trading.
Essential Tools for Beginners to Trade with Confidence
Your Personalized Path to Easy Trading
On the homepage, beginners can access tailored content, view their portfolio, track holdings, and monitor progress toward goals.
Real-Time Trading Guide: Your Personal Assistant for Every Action
The trading guide offers real-time support with explanations and alerts, building confidence and reducing risks.
Seamless Stock Purchase Experience
On the purchase screen, users can simultaneously review stock data while smoothly continuing with the transaction process, ensuring informed decisions without interrupting the flow.
Unified Trading Insights
The trading page provides users with all the data and information needed to trade, all in one place. It includes stock information with scalable views tailored to their preference, details on their holdings, and the status of their wallet.
The Logo
The Spark logo features a graph-like symbol reflecting data and growth, with blue for trust and stability, and clean typography for simplicity, creating a modern and reliable brand identity.
Typography
The font used is Lato, which has tabular properties where the numbers are spaced evenly like in tables, improving readability.
Color Palette:
The color palette of the Spark logo conveys trust, stability, and professionalism, while also representing the commonly accepted indicators of rises and declines in the trading world. The colors create a sense of seriousness and security, reinforcing the brand identity.
Lato - Regular
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Spark, Simplified:
Then & Now....
Self-Reflection
When I started this project, I had no background in the stock market, but the journey opened up a whole new world for me, so much so that I ended up becoming a trader myself! The biggest challenge was learning the ins and outs of trading while simultaneously designing a user-friendly system, despite not being an experienced trader. This process pushed me to deeply immerse myself in the trading world, and today, I fully understand how crucial investments are for long-term success.
My goal was, and still is, to show that anyone can trade with the right tools and mindset, making the process simpler and more approachable for everyone.