WISE FIRST
WISE FIRST
Wise First is a travel focused feature concept designed for teens taking their first independent trip abroad. Built within the Wise ecosystem, the experience helps young users manage money confidently while giving parents reassurance through guided budgeting, emergency support and low-friction oversight.
Client
Wise
Year
2026
Category
APP DESIGN • FINTECH
Research
Research
The research phase explored the emotional tension between independence and parental reassurance during a teen’s first solo trip. I analysed Wise’s existing ecosystem alongside competitors such as GoHenry, Monzo Youth and Starling Kite, identifying a gap between financial control tools and emotionally supportive travel experiences. Primary research and journey mapping revealed that parents value preparation and emergency support more than constant monitoring, leading to a UX direction focused on calm reassurance, reduced anxiety and progressive independence rather than surveillance.
The research phase explored the emotional tension between independence and parental reassurance during a teen’s first solo trip. I analysed Wise’s existing ecosystem alongside competitors such as GoHenry, Monzo Youth and Starling Kite, identifying a gap between financial control tools and emotionally supportive travel experiences. Primary research and journey mapping revealed that parents value preparation and emergency support more than constant monitoring, leading to a UX direction focused on calm reassurance, reduced anxiety and progressive independence rather than surveillance.
Research
The research phase explored the emotional tension between independence and parental reassurance during a teen’s first solo trip. I analysed Wise’s existing ecosystem alongside competitors such as GoHenry, Monzo Youth and Starling Kite, identifying a gap between financial control tools and emotionally supportive travel experiences. Primary research and journey mapping revealed that parents value preparation and emergency support more than constant monitoring, leading to a UX direction focused on calm reassurance, reduced anxiety and progressive independence rather than surveillance.
Design
Design
The design process focused on extending Wise’s existing design system into a travel-specific onboarding and budgeting experience that felt realistic, trustworthy and easy to use. Early wireframes explored hierarchy, layout and information grouping before evolving into high-fidelity screens that balanced financial clarity with emotional reassurance. The final interface introduced guided onboarding, structured dashboards, emergency fund separation and simplified budgeting systems, while adapting the child-facing experience to feel more engaging and approachable without losing consistency with Wise’s visual language.
The design process focused on extending Wise’s existing design system into a travel-specific onboarding and budgeting experience that felt realistic, trustworthy and easy to use. Early wireframes explored hierarchy, layout and information grouping before evolving into high-fidelity screens that balanced financial clarity with emotional reassurance. The final interface introduced guided onboarding, structured dashboards, emergency fund separation and simplified budgeting systems, while adapting the child-facing experience to feel more engaging and approachable without losing consistency with Wise’s visual language.
Design
The design process focused on extending Wise’s existing design system into a travel-specific onboarding and budgeting experience that felt realistic, trustworthy and easy to use. Early wireframes explored hierarchy, layout and information grouping before evolving into high-fidelity screens that balanced financial clarity with emotional reassurance. The final interface introduced guided onboarding, structured dashboards, emergency fund separation and simplified budgeting systems, while adapting the child-facing experience to feel more engaging and approachable without losing consistency with Wise’s visual language.
Development
Development
The development stage focused on refining interaction flows, onboarding clarity and dashboard usability across both parent and child experiences. Features such as QR-based account linking, progress indicators and grouped financial information were introduced to reduce friction and cognitive load throughout setup and use. Iterative improvements across spacing, contrast, hierarchy and interaction patterns helped strengthen readability and usability, while ensuring the experience remained cohesive within Wise’s existing product ecosystem.
The development stage focused on refining interaction flows, onboarding clarity and dashboard usability across both parent and child experiences. Features such as QR-based account linking, progress indicators and grouped financial information were introduced to reduce friction and cognitive load throughout setup and use. Iterative improvements across spacing, contrast, hierarchy and interaction patterns helped strengthen readability and usability, while ensuring the experience remained cohesive within Wise’s existing product ecosystem.
Development
The development stage focused on refining interaction flows, onboarding clarity and dashboard usability across both parent and child experiences. Features such as QR-based account linking, progress indicators and grouped financial information were introduced to reduce friction and cognitive load throughout setup and use. Iterative improvements across spacing, contrast, hierarchy and interaction patterns helped strengthen readability and usability, while ensuring the experience remained cohesive within Wise’s existing product ecosystem.
Concept
Concept
Wise First was designed as a guided travel finance mode that transforms a teen’s first independent trip into a supported learning experience. Rather than focusing purely on parental control, the concept reframes travel money management around confidence, preparation and gradual independence. Features such as daily budget guidance, emergency funds, parent overview dashboards and in-app communication were designed to create reassurance without making teens feel monitored, positioning the experience as “freedom with a safety net.”
Wise First was designed as a guided travel finance mode that transforms a teen’s first independent trip into a supported learning experience. Rather than focusing purely on parental control, the concept reframes travel money management around confidence, preparation and gradual independence. Features such as daily budget guidance, emergency funds, parent overview dashboards and in-app communication were designed to create reassurance without making teens feel monitored, positioning the experience as “freedom with a safety net.”
Concept
Wise First was designed as a guided travel finance mode that transforms a teen’s first independent trip into a supported learning experience. Rather than focusing purely on parental control, the concept reframes travel money management around confidence, preparation and gradual independence. Features such as daily budget guidance, emergency funds, parent overview dashboards and in-app communication were designed to create reassurance without making teens feel monitored, positioning the experience as “freedom with a safety net.”
HUNTER GURUNG
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HUNTER GURUNG
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