Venmo
I led the complete design and research process for Venmo’s AI-powered Group Expense Split feature, focusing on simplifying group expense tracking and enhancing user collaboration.
UX Design
2 weeks
UI Design
Testing
Role
Duration
Team
Prototype
Competitive Analysis
For this project, I’ve selected Venmo, a mobile payment service owned by PayPal, which is well-known for its peer-to-peer money transfers and social payment experience. Venmo is widely used for splitting bills and managing shared expenses among friends, family, or groups. However, while Venmo offers a manual way to split bills, there’s an opportunity to introduce a more sophisticated feature to enhance the user experience.
But what if it didn’t have to be?
In this project, I set out to design a solution using Venmo to eliminate the headache of group expense management. By leveraging AI, the goal is to create a feature that makes splitting bills seamless, intuitive, and stress-free—ensuring the focus stays on the good times, not the math.
Context
You’re out with a group of friends celebrating a birthday at your favorite restaurant. The laughter flows as freely as the food, and the check arrives at the end of the night. One person volunteers to pay, and now comes the tricky part—figuring out how to split the expenses fairly. Do you rely on mental math or dig through receipts? Does someone awkwardly pass around a calculator or a napkin for scribbled equations? This simple task can quickly become a hassle.
In 2022, a survey revealed that 57% of individuals aged 18 to 29 in the U.S. used Venmo, highlighting its popularity among younger adults. (OBERLO) Additionally, the global bill-splitting apps market was valued at USD 0.49 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 0.92 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 7.3%. (Business Research Insights) These statistics underscore the increasing reliance on digital solutions like Venmo for simplifying shared expenses.
When I began thinking about an AI-powered group expense feature for Venmo, I realized the first step was to understand the competition. What solutions already exist, and where do they fall short? I took a deep dive into apps like Cash App, Zelle, and PayPal, exploring their designs, features, and user experiences. Some had great ideas but lacked simplicity; others felt intuitive but didn’t quite cover all the bases. This analysis not only gave me a clearer picture of the competitive landscape but also inspired ideas for how Venmo could deliver a truly seamless and user-friendly solution for splitting expenses.
Competitive Analysis
Affinity Map
Personas
Interview Guide
To create a feature that genuinely solves user frustrations, I knew I had to start with the people who’d actually use it. So, I conducted user interviews to get a better understanding of their habits, pain points, and expectations when it comes to splitting expenses. Talking to real users felt like peeling back the layers of a problem—each conversation revealed new insights and perspectives I hadn’t considered. These interviews were instrumental in shaping my approach, ensuring that the final design would address actual needs, not just assumptions.
User Interviews
Ages 20-40
Familiar with Venmo
Uses group splitting
Participants
Takeaways
1
Desire for Simplicity
Users overwhelmingly expressed a preference for a straightforward and intuitive process when splitting expenses. Complex interfaces or requiring multiple steps often discouraged them from using existing solutions.
2
Transparency is Key
Many users voiced concerns about miscommunication or confusion when it came to amounts owed. Features that clearly display how totals are calculated and allow for easy adjustments were seen as highly desirable.
3
Flexibility in Payment Splits
Not all expense splits are equal. Users highlighted the importance of being able to divide payments in custom ways—such as percentage-based or assigning specific amounts to each person—to account for varying contributions.
To ensure the feature would address real user needs, I created detailed personas based on insights from the user interviews. These personas helped bring my target audience to life, giving me a clear understanding of their motivations, frustrations, and goals. Whether it was Erin, an aesthetician who values quick and hassle-free expense management during her busy workday, or Rene, a barber who often splits group purchases with friends, each persona provided a relatable perspective to guide the design process. By keeping these personas in mind, I stayed focused on creating a solution that felt personal, practical, and impactful.
Personas
The user flow shows the process of how the app should flow when creating an expense.
User Flow
Low-fidelity Wireframes
High-fidelity Wireframes
User Flow
Low-Fidelity Wireframes
With a clear understanding of user needs and behaviors, I began sketching low-fidelity wireframes to bring my ideas to life. These rough designs served as a blueprint for the AI-powered group expense feature, focusing on functionality and user flow rather than aesthetics.
High-Fidelity Wireframes
Building on the foundation of the low-fidelity wireframes, I transitioned to high-fidelity designs to bring more detail and polish to the concept. This stage focused on refining the visual elements, ensuring a cohesive look and feel that aligned with Venmo’s branding while enhancing usability.
To validate the design and ensure it met user needs, I conducted usability testing with participants who matched the target audience. This phase was critical in identifying pain points, uncovering areas for improvement, and confirming the overall effectiveness of the AI-powered group expense feature. Through observing users interact with the prototype, I gained valuable insights into what worked well and what needed refinement.
Usability Testing
After iterating on feedback from usability testing, I refined the design into a polished final draft. This version represents the culmination of research, user insights, and design principles, showcasing a seamless and user-friendly AI-powered group expense feature for Venmo. The final design simplifies the process of splitting expenses, offering clear visual breakdowns, customizable options, and effortless payment flows. By addressing user pain points and incorporating thoughtful interactions, the feature not only meets user expectations but enhances the overall Venmo experience.
Final Draft
This project was an exciting opportunity to tackle a common frustration and turn it into a seamless experience. By diving into user insights, exploring the competitive landscape, and iterating on designs, I created a feature that makes splitting expenses simple, intuitive, and stress-free. It was a reminder of the power of thoughtful design to solve real problems and enhance everyday interactions. Through this process, I not only sharpened my skills but also deepened my appreciation for creating user-centered solutions that add value to people’s lives.
Wrap-up
User Testing
Evaluate the usability and intuitiveness of the AI-powered Group Expense Split feature, focusing on key tasks such as adding an expense, reviewing AI-suggested splits, adjusting uneven splits, and completing payments.
Research Goals
1
Determine if the layout and flow of the wireframes allow users to complete essential tasks easily
2
Assess whether users understand and trust the AI-powered split suggestions
3
Identify any points of confusion or friction, particularly with the AI’s role in the process
4
Gather feedback on the initial structure to guide further design decisions
Task Flows
1
Accessing the Group Page and Adding a New Expense
2
Reviewing and Confirming AI-Suggested Split (Even Split)
3
Adjusting an Uneven Split Using AI Suggestions
Venmo
I led the complete design and research process for Venmo’s AI-powered Group Expense Split feature, focusing on simplifying group expense tracking and enhancing user collaboration.
UX Design
2 weeks
UI Design
Testing
Role
Duration
Team
Prototype
Competitive Analysis
Interview Guide
Affinity Map
Personas
User Flow
Low-fidelity Wireframes
High-fidelity Wireframes
For this project, I’ve selected Venmo, a mobile payment service owned by PayPal, which is well-known for its peer-to-peer money transfers and social payment experience. Venmo is widely used for splitting bills and managing shared expenses among friends, family, or groups. However, while Venmo offers a manual way to split bills, there’s an opportunity to introduce a more sophisticated feature to enhance the user experience.
Context
You’re out with a group of friends celebrating a birthday at your favorite restaurant. The laughter flows as freely as the food, and the check arrives at the end of the night. One person volunteers to pay, and now comes the tricky part—figuring out how to split the expenses fairly. Do you rely on mental math or dig through receipts? Does someone awkwardly pass around a calculator or a napkin for scribbled equations? This simple task can quickly become a hassle.
But what if it didn’t have to be?
In this project, I set out to design a solution using Venmo to eliminate the headache of group expense management. By leveraging AI, the goal is to create a feature that makes splitting bills seamless, intuitive, and stress-free—ensuring the focus stays on the good times, not the math.
In 2022, a survey revealed that 57% of individuals aged 18 to 29 in the U.S. used Venmo, highlighting its popularity among younger adults. (OBERLO) Additionally, the global bill-splitting apps market was valued at USD 0.49 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 0.92 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 7.3%. (Business Research Insights) These statistics underscore the increasing reliance on digital solutions like Venmo for simplifying shared expenses.
When I began thinking about an AI-powered group expense feature for Venmo, I realized the first step was to understand the competition. What solutions already exist, and where do they fall short? I took a deep dive into apps like Cash App, Zelle, and PayPal, exploring their designs, features, and user experiences. Some had great ideas but lacked simplicity; others felt intuitive but didn’t quite cover all the bases. This analysis not only gave me a clearer picture of the competitive landscape but also inspired ideas for how Venmo could deliver a truly seamless and user-friendly solution for splitting expenses.
Competitive Analysis
To create a feature that genuinely solves user frustrations, I knew I had to start with the people who’d actually use it. So, I conducted user interviews to get a better understanding of their habits, pain points, and expectations when it comes to splitting expenses. Talking to real users felt like peeling back the layers of a problem—each conversation revealed new insights and perspectives I hadn’t considered. These interviews were instrumental in shaping my approach, ensuring that the final design would address actual needs, not just assumptions.
User Interviews
Ages 20-40
Familiar with Venmo
Uses group splitting
Participants
Takeaways
1
Desire for Simplicity
Users overwhelmingly expressed a preference for a straightforward and intuitive process when splitting expenses. Complex interfaces or requiring multiple steps often discouraged them from using existing solutions.
2
Transparency is Key
Many users voiced concerns about miscommunication or confusion when it came to amounts owed. Features that clearly display how totals are calculated and allow for easy adjustments were seen as highly desirable.
3
Flexibility in Payment Splits
Not all expense splits are equal. Users highlighted the importance of being able to divide payments in custom ways—such as percentage-based or assigning specific amounts to each person—to account for varying contributions.
To ensure the feature would address real user needs, I created detailed personas based on insights from the user interviews. These personas helped bring my target audience to life, giving me a clear understanding of their motivations, frustrations, and goals. Whether it was Erin, an aesthetician who values quick and hassle-free expense management during her busy workday, or Rene, a barber who often splits group purchases with friends, each persona provided a relatable perspective to guide the design process. By keeping these personas in mind, I stayed focused on creating a solution that felt personal, practical, and impactful.
Personas
User Flow
The user flow shows the process of how the app should flow when creating an expense.
Low-Fidelity Wireframes
With a clear understanding of user needs and behaviors, I began sketching low-fidelity wireframes to bring my ideas to life. These rough designs served as a blueprint for the AI-powered group expense feature, focusing on functionality and user flow rather than aesthetics.
High-Fidelity Wireframes
Building on the foundation of the low-fidelity wireframes, I transitioned to high-fidelity designs to bring more detail and polish to the concept. This stage focused on refining the visual elements, ensuring a cohesive look and feel that aligned with Venmo’s branding while enhancing usability.
To validate the design and ensure it met user needs, I conducted usability testing with participants who matched the target audience. This phase was critical in identifying pain points, uncovering areas for improvement, and confirming the overall effectiveness of the AI-powered group expense feature. Through observing users interact with the prototype, I gained valuable insights into what worked well and what needed refinement.
Usability Testing
User Testing
Evaluate the usability and intuitiveness of the AI-powered Group Expense Split feature, focusing on key tasks such as adding an expense, reviewing AI-suggested splits, adjusting uneven splits, and completing payments.
Research Goals
1
Determine if the layout and flow of the wireframes allow users to complete essential tasks easily
2
Assess whether users understand and trust the AI-powered split suggestions
3
Identify any points of confusion or friction, particularly with the AI’s role in the process
4
Gather feedback on the initial structure to guide further design decisions
Task Flows
1
Accessing the Group Page and Adding a New Expense
2
Reviewing and Confirming AI-Suggested Split (Even Split)
3
Adjusting an Uneven Split Using AI Suggestions
After iterating on feedback from usability testing, I refined the design into a polished final draft. This version represents the culmination of research, user insights, and design principles, showcasing a seamless and user-friendly AI-powered group expense feature for Venmo. The final design simplifies the process of splitting expenses, offering clear visual breakdowns, customizable options, and effortless payment flows. By addressing user pain points and incorporating thoughtful interactions, the feature not only meets user expectations but enhances the overall Venmo experience.
Final Draft
This project was an exciting opportunity to tackle a common frustration and turn it into a seamless experience. By diving into user insights, exploring the competitive landscape, and iterating on designs, I created a feature that makes splitting expenses simple, intuitive, and stress-free. It was a reminder of the power of thoughtful design to solve real problems and enhance everyday interactions. Through this process, I not only sharpened my skills but also deepened my appreciation for creating user-centered solutions that add value to people’s lives.
Wrap-up
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