What can product
teams learn from
Dieter Rams today?
As a regular user of the HSBC app, I often run into cluttered screens, confusing language, and frustrating interactions. A recent major update didn’t resolve these issues—in fact, it added new ones.
That led me to ask: what would Dieter Rams make of today’s digital design landscape? What if his 10 principles of good design were applied to a modern banking app? Inspired by his timeless ideas—simplicity, clarity, and purpose—I set out to reimagine the HSBC app.
This project is both a critique and a tribute. A way to reimagine digital banking through the lens of one of the greats, and a personal expression of my own love for thoughtful, functional design.
As a regular user of the HSBC app, I often run into cluttered screens, confusing language, and frustrating interactions. A recent major update didn’t resolve these issues—in fact, it added new ones.
That led me to ask: what would Dieter Rams make of today’s digital design landscape? What if his 10 principles of good design were applied to a modern banking app? Inspired by his timeless ideas—simplicity, clarity, and purpose—I set out to reimagine the HSBC app.
This project is both a critique and a tribute. A way to reimagine digital banking through the lens of one of the greats, and a personal expression of my own love for thoughtful, functional design.
As a regular user of the HSBC app, I often run into cluttered screens, confusing language, and frustrating interactions. A recent major update didn’t resolve these issues—in fact, it added new ones.
That led me to ask: what would Dieter Rams make of today’s digital design landscape? What if his 10 principles of good design were applied to a modern banking app? Inspired by his timeless ideas—simplicity, clarity, and purpose—I set out to reimagine the HSBC app.
This project is both a critique and a tribute. A way to reimagine digital banking through the lens of one of the greats, and a personal expression of my own love for thoughtful, functional design.
01:
01: Good design is Innovative
01: Good design is Innovative
Contextually aware suggestions
Contextually aware suggestions:
Good design is Innovative
People don’t open banking apps to explore—they come with a task in mind. And what if the app could anticipate those needs? By analysing behaviour patterns (with consent), AI can anticipate user needs and offer timely suggestions. These suggestions aren’t loud or interruptive. They quietly support the task at hand, showing up only when they’re truly useful.
People don’t open banking apps to explore—they come with a task in mind. And what if the app could anticipate those needs? By analysing behaviour patterns (with consent), AI can anticipate user needs and offer timely suggestions. These suggestions aren’t loud or interruptive. They quietly support the task at hand, showing up only when they’re truly useful.
Impact: Helps users do more, faster
Impact: Helps users do more, faster
02:
02: Good design is Useful
02: Good design is Useful
Search that
actually helps
Search that actually helps
Search that actually helps:
Good design is Useful
Surprisingly, the app lacks a proper search. It’s fragmented, buried in transactions or hidden in FAQs. I introduced a Universal Search that works across everything: actions, payments, support, and settings. It’s fast, intuitive, and exactly where you expect it.
Surprisingly, the app lacks a proper search. It’s fragmented, buried in transactions or hidden in FAQs. I introduced a Universal Search that works across everything: actions, payments, support, and settings. It’s fast, intuitive, and exactly where you expect it.
Impact: Reduces drop-off by making functionality easier to find.
Impact: Reduces drop-off by making functionality easier to find.
03:
03: Good design is Aesthetic
03: Good design is Aesthetic
Form follows function
Form follows function
Good design is Aesthetic
Design isn’t decoration — it’s communication. The new update prioritizes trends over function. I stripped away the visual clutter and focused on hierarchy, and stayed true to HSBC’s brand with subtle confidence.
Design isn’t decoration — it’s communication. The new update prioritizes trends over function. I stripped away the visual clutter and focused on hierarchy, and stayed true to HSBC’s brand with subtle confidence.
Impact: A cleaner, more intentional interface improves usability and builds trust — essential when dealing with something as personal as money.
Impact: A cleaner, more intentional interface improves usability and builds trust — essential when dealing with something as personal as money.
04:
04: Good design is Understandable
04: Good design is Understandable
Clarity builds confidence
Clarity builds confidence
Good design is Understandable
Financial language in the app—like “FX margin disclosure” or “standing instruction mandate”—can sound intimidating. I rewrote key terms in plain, conversational language that respects the user without talking down to them.
Financial language in the app—like “FX margin disclosure” or “standing instruction mandate”—can sound intimidating. I rewrote key terms in plain, conversational language that respects the user without talking down to them.
Impact: When people understand what they’re reading, they’re more likely to complete actions — and trust the product they’re using.
Impact: When people understand what they’re reading, they’re more likely to complete actions — and trust the product they’re using.
05:
05: Good design is Unobtrusive
05: Good design is Aesthetic
One size
doesn't fit all
One Size Doesn't Fit All
One Size Doesn't Fit All
Good design is Unobtrusive
Not every user needs the same tools, all the time. The current app forces every user into the same rigid layout—whether they invest, hold mortgages, or just check their balance. I redesigned the home screen with custom widgets and a flexible nav bar, so the app feels more personal, and less prescriptive.
Impact: Increases satisfaction for a wider range of users and reduces cognitive load.
Impact: Increases satisfaction for a wider range of users and reduces cognitive load.
06:
06: Good design is Understandable
06: Good design is Understandable
No hidden catches
No hidden catches
Good design is Honest
The HSBC insurance page shows a big “Get a quote” button, but no clarity on how it will impact credit scores. Without context, “Get a quote” feels uncertain. A simple note on credit impact makes the process honest and reassuring.
The HSBC insurance page shows a big “Get a quote” button, but no clarity on how it will impact credit scores. Without context, “Get a quote” feels uncertain. A simple note on credit impact makes the process honest and reassuring.
Impact: Being transparent upfront reassures people and fosters a sense of safeness before taking actions.
Impact: Being transparent upfront reassures people and fosters a sense of safeness before taking actions.
07:
07: Good design is Long lasting
07: Good design is Long lasting
Navigation that
can scale
One Size Doesn't Fit All
One Size Doesn't Fit All
Good design is Long lasting
The current app clutters the home screen with static shortcuts for every HSBC product, even if you never use them. I moved them into an expandable menu — accessible when needed, invisible when not.
The current app clutters the home screen with static shortcuts for every HSBC product, even if you never use them. I moved them into an expandable menu — accessible when needed, invisible when not.
Impact: A future-proof structure that keeps the interface clean as services grow, without compromising today’s usability.
Impact: A future-proof structure that keeps the interface clean as services grow, without compromising today’s usability.
08:
08: Good design is Through to the last detail
08: Good design is Through to the last detail
Deeper insights in every transaction
Deeper insights in every transaction
Good design is Through to the last detail
The current transaction page has very limited functionality. I added a map view, statement download and customisable categories. All these tiny details add up to an UX that feels complete.
The current transaction page has very limited functionality. I added a map view, statement download and customisable categories. All these tiny details add up to an UX that feels complete.
Impact: Shows users that their experience is considered beyond the point of payment.
Impact: Shows users that their experience is considered beyond the point of payment.
09:
09: Good design is Understandable
09: Good design is Understandable
Going full paperless
Going full paperless:
Good design is Environmentally friendly
There’s no clear way to stop paper mail in the current app—users still receive printed statements by default. I added a simple “Go full paperless” toggle in communication preferences.
There’s no clear way to stop paper mail in the current app—users still receive printed statements by default. I added a simple “Go full paperless” toggle in communication preferences.
Impact: A quick win for the user and the planet — cutting down waste while reducing operational costs for the business.
Impact: A quick win for the user and the planet — cutting down waste while reducing operational costs for the business.
10:
10: Good design is As little design as possible
10: Good design is Aesthetic
Less is more
One Size Doesn't Fit All
Good design is As little design as possible
The payments screen tries to do too much at once—cramming in options that distract rather than help. I simplified it into three clear sections: Pay & Transfers, Payees, and Recurring Payments. With progressive disclosure, details appear only when needed.
The payments screen tries to do too much at once—cramming in options that distract rather than help. I simplified it into three clear sections: Pay & Transfers, Payees, and Recurring Payments. With progressive disclosure, details appear only when needed.
Impact: Simplifying complex flows leads to faster task completion — and fewer errors in high-stakes moments like sending money.
Impact: Simplifying complex flows leads to faster task completion — and fewer errors in high-stakes moments like sending money.
