Addition Wealth • 2022–2025
Addition Wealth • 2022–2025
Addition Wealth • 2022–2025
Building a financial wellness platform to help employees make smarter, more informed decisions
Building a financial wellness platform to help employees make smarter, more informed decisions
Building a financial wellness platform to help employees make smarter, more informed decisions
Problem
Problem
Problem
Millions of Americans face challenges with financial literacy and decision-making, often resulting in poor financial outcomes. Over 72% of employees report feeling stressed about money, yet most companies fall short in providing the support they need. This financial stress directly impacts workplace productivity, leading to preventable losses for employers.
Millions of Americans face challenges with financial literacy and decision-making, often resulting in poor financial outcomes. Over 72% of employees report feeling stressed about money, yet most companies fall short in providing the support they need. This financial stress directly impacts workplace productivity, leading to preventable losses for employers.
Millions of Americans face challenges with financial literacy and decision-making, often resulting in poor financial outcomes. Over 72% of employees report feeling stressed about money, yet most companies fall short in providing the support they need. This financial stress directly impacts workplace productivity, leading to preventable losses for employers.
Role
Role
Role
As the founding product designer, I helped Addition Wealth grow from Seed to Series B ARR ($5M+) by designing its core user experience, design system, and enterprise products used by thousands of employees nationwide.
Wearing many hats, I drove UX/UI, customer research, design strategy, branding, and front-end development. As the design lead, I worked closely with engineering, product, and marketing leads to align vision and execution across teams.
As the founding product designer, I helped Addition Wealth grow from Seed to Series B ARR ($5M+) by designing its core user experience, design system, and enterprise products used by thousands of employees nationwide.
Wearing many hats, I drove UX/UI, customer research, design strategy, branding, and front-end development. As the design lead, I worked closely with engineering, product, and marketing leads to align vision and execution across teams.
As the founding product designer, I helped Addition Wealth grow from Seed to Series B ARR ($5M+) by designing its core user experience, design system, and enterprise products used by thousands of employees nationwide.
Wearing many hats, I drove UX/UI, customer research, design strategy, branding, and front-end development. As the design lead, I worked closely with engineering, product, and marketing leads to align vision and execution across teams.
Outcomes
Outcomes
Outcomes
12+
12+
major feature launches
major feature launches
2M+
2M+
unique users onboarded
unique users onboarded
90%
90%
average monthly CSAT score
average monthly CSAT score
$5M+
$5M+
annual recurring revenue
annual recurring revenue
Design System
Design System
Design System
Establishing Addition's first design system
Establishing Addition's first design system
Establishing Addition's first design system
When I joined Addition, the product lacked a cohesive visual language and user experience, which made it feel forgettable and untrustworthy to users.
In the context of a financial product, establishing trust is critical, users need to feel confident when sharing sensitive financial information, which directly impacts adoption and retention.
I took the initiative to partner with engineering to build our first design system in Figma; defining front-end component guidelines and core design patterns.
I also led maintenance and evolution of the design system, scaling it to support multiple product ecosystems across the business.
When I joined Addition, the product lacked a cohesive visual language and user experience, which made it feel forgettable and untrustworthy to users. In the context of a financial product, establishing trust is critical.
I designed and build our first design system in Figma; defining front-end component guidelines and core design patterns.
I also led maintenance of the design system, scaling it to support multiple product ecosystems across the business.
When I joined the team, the app lacked a modern, cohesive visual language, resulting in a poor user experience.
To address this, I took initiative to build and scale our design system in Figma (including primitives, components, and usage guidelines).
User Research
User Research
User Research
Learning from real-life employees
Learning from real-life employees
Learning from real-life employees
Each quarter, I led customer research interviews and product metrics workshops to uncover user pain points and identify opportunities for improvement.
I prioritized cross-functional collaboration by including stakeholders from product, engineering, and customer success.
Each quarter, I led customer research interviews and product metrics workshops to uncover user pain points and identify opportunities for improvement.
I prioritized cross-functional collaboration by including stakeholders from product, engineering, and customer success.
Each quarter, I led customer research interviews and product metrics workshops to uncover user pain points and identify opportunities for improvement.
I prioritized cross-functional collaboration by including stakeholders from product, engineering, and customer success.
Some key research insights include:
Some key research insights include:
Some key research insights include:
1.
1.
1.
Users felt overwhelmed by financial jargon. Simplifying language and visual aids significantly improved comprehension.
Users felt overwhelmed by financial jargon. Simplifying language and visual aids significantly improved comprehension.
Users felt overwhelmed by financial jargon. Simplifying language and visual aids significantly improved comprehension.
2.
2.
2.
Users wanted personalized financial guidance, not generic advice. Folks didn’t trust one-size-fits-all calculators or blog posts. They wanted tools that could factor in their specific salary, equity offers, and goals.
Users wanted personalized financial guidance, not generic advice. Folks didn’t trust one-size-fits-all calculators or blog posts. They wanted tools that could factor in their specific salary, equity offers, and goals.
Users wanted personalized financial guidance, not generic advice. Folks didn’t trust one-size-fits-all calculators or blog posts. They wanted tools that could factor in their specific salary, equity offers, and goals.
3.
3.
3.
Users preferred quick, actionable takeaways. Summarizing complex financial decisions into “next steps” helped users feel in control and led to higher tool adoption.
Users preferred quick, actionable takeaways. Summarizing complex financial decisions into “next steps” helped users feel in control and led to higher tool adoption.
Users preferred quick, actionable takeaways. Summarizing complex financial decisions into “next steps” helped users feel in control and led to higher tool adoption.
Validating our product with real-life employees was critical to ensuring we were building something valuable and high-quality.
Validating our product with real-life employees was critical to ensuring we were building something valuable and high-quality.
Validating our product with real-life employees was critical to ensuring we were building something valuable and high-quality.
Design Process
Design Process
Design Process
Balancing data & craft to build 0-to-1 products
Balancing data & craft to build 0-to-1 products
Balancing data & craft to build 0-to-1 products
My design process involves adapting the Double Diamond framework, moving from discovery to definition, then into ideation and delivery. However in practice, this process is far from linear and requires constant adaptation.
I led projects end-to-end, often going beyond traditional design responsibilities by drafting PRDs and conducting QA testing to ensure we shipped features on time that met client expectations and met the bar for design quality.
My design process involves adapting the Double Diamond framework, moving from discovery to definition, then into ideation and delivery. However in practice, this process is far from linear and requires constant adaptation.
I led projects end-to-end, often going beyond traditional design responsibilities by drafting PRDs and conducting QA testing to ensure we shipped features on time that met client expectations and met the bar for design quality.
My design process involves adapting the Double Diamond framework, moving from discovery to definition, then into ideation and delivery. However in practice, this process is far from linear and requires constant adaptation.
I led projects end-to-end, often going beyond traditional design responsibilities by drafting PRDs and conducting QA testing to ensure we shipped features on time that met client expectations and met the bar for design quality.
What were our user pain points?
What were our user pain points?
1.
1.
1.
Users want to understand their individual, unique financial situation.
Users want to understand their individual, unique financial situation.
Users want to understand their individual, unique financial situation.
2.
2.
2.
Users want to receive clear, personalized guidance.
Users want to receive clear, personalized guidance.
Users want to receive clear, personalized guidance.
3.
3.
3.
Users want to measure their progress over time.
Users want to measure their progress over time.
Users want to measure their progress over time.
What were our business challenges?
What were our business challenges?
1.
1.
1.
Low engagement limits platform adoption and long-term value.
Low engagement limits platform adoption and long-term value.
Low engagement limits platform adoption and long-term value.
2.
2.
2.
Lack of personalized financial guidance reduces perceived relevance and trust in the product.
Lack of personalized financial guidance reduces perceived relevance and trust in the product.
Lack of personalized financial guidance reduces perceived relevance and trust in the product.
3.
3.
3.
Inconsistent user experience weakens brand cohesion and user confidence.
Inconsistent user experience weakens brand cohesion and user confidence.
Inconsistent user experience weakens brand cohesion and user confidence.
Product Features
Product Features
Product Features
Building tools to support employees through their financial journey
Building tools to support employees through their financial journey
Building tools to support employees through their financial journey
Equity calculators
Equity calculators
Problem
Problem
Problem
Equity is a crucial part of employee compensation, yet many folks struggle to understand its true value. Surprisingly it's usually overlooked during hiring negotiations, leading to millions of dollars in lost compensation.
Equity is a crucial part of employee compensation, yet many folks struggle to understand its true value. Surprisingly it's usually overlooked during hiring negotiations, leading to millions of dollars in lost compensation.
Equity is a crucial part of employee compensation, yet many folks struggle to understand its true value. Surprisingly it's usually overlooked during hiring negotiations, leading to millions of dollars in lost compensation.
Solution
Solution
Solution
To address this knowledge gap, I designed an interactive calculator that could determine potential equity value based on inputs like share price and company performance.
These tools became important resources for our financial advisors and Addition users to make informed, timely decisions.
To address this knowledge gap, I designed an interactive calculator that could determine potential equity value based on inputs like share price and company performance.
These tools became important resources for our financial advisors and Addition users to make informed, timely decisions.
To address this knowledge gap, I designed an interactive calculator that could determine potential equity value based on inputs like share price and company performance.
These tools became important resources for our financial advisors and Addition users to make informed, timely decisions.
Financial account integrations
Financial account integrations
Problem
Problem
Problem
Surveys revealed that 80% of users wanted to make progress toward their financial goals but felt too overwhelmed to take action without a clear, real-time view of their finances.
Surveys revealed that 80% of users wanted to make progress toward their financial goals but felt too overwhelmed to take action without a clear, real-time view of their finances.
Surveys revealed that 80% of users wanted to make progress toward their financial goals but felt too overwhelmed to take action without a clear, real-time view of their finances.
Solution
Solution
Solution
To address this, I designed a financial account management system that gave users clear visibility into their money.
My work included creating complex user flows that unified banking, investment, and retirement accounts into a single, streamlined experience.
To address this, I designed a financial account management system that gave users clear visibility into their money.
My work included creating complex user flows that unified banking, investment, and retirement accounts into a single, streamlined experience.
To address this, I designed a financial account management system that gave users clear visibility into their money.
My work included creating complex user flows that unified banking, investment, and retirement accounts into a single, streamlined experience.
Life event guidance
Life event guidance
Problem
Problem
Problem
Through employee interviews, I talked to users about their current AW experience and found that most people have trouble focusing on more than one financial challenge at a time.
I hypothesized that a focused experience, where users could utilize tools and resources to answer specific questions like “How much do I need to save before having my first child?”.
Through employee interviews, I talked to users about their current AW experience and found that most people have trouble focusing on more than one financial challenge at a time.
I hypothesized that a focused experience, where users could utilize tools and resources to answer specific questions like “How much do I need to save before having my first child?”.
Through employee interviews, I talked to users about their current AW experience and found that most people have trouble focusing on more than one financial challenge at a time.
I hypothesized that a focused experience, where users could utilize tools and resources to answer specific questions like “How much do I need to save before having my first child?”.
Solution
Solution
Solution
To combat this, I designed centers that providing guidance through specific financial question. The main goal was to help users focus on major financial milestones, such as switching jobs or preparing for a child.
This feature became one of our highest-traffic areas, helping users to connect with their finances, receive personalized insights, and take clear steps toward their goals.
To combat this, I designed centers that providing guidance through specific financial question. The main goal was to help users focus on major financial milestones, such as switching jobs or preparing for a child.
This feature became one of our highest-traffic areas, helping users to connect with their finances, receive personalized insights, and take clear steps toward their goals.
To combat this, I designed centers that providing guidance through specific financial question. The main goal was to help users focus on major financial milestones, such as switching jobs or preparing for a child.
This feature became one of our highest-traffic areas, helping users to connect with their finances, receive personalized insights, and take clear steps toward their goals.
Learning courses
Learning courses
Problem
Problem
Problem
Previously, we only offered articles and online webinars which limited reach and slowed engagement. Users were having a hard time getting into generic, boring content.
Previously, we only offered articles and online webinars which limited reach and slowed engagement. Users were having a hard time getting into generic, boring content.
Previously, we only offered articles and online webinars which limited reach and slowed engagement. Users were having a hard time getting into generic, boring content.
Solution
Solution
Solution
To provide another vehicle for learning, I designed interactive courses, which used dynamic content (i.e. income, taxes, equity grants) pulled from the user's own financial profile.
I led content design for this effort, working closely with our financial advisors, covering 15+ key financial topics.
This work included drafting copy, designing illustrations, and performing quality-assurance on the website to ensure each piece was informative and useful.
To provide another vehicle for learning, I designed interactive courses, which used dynamic content (i.e. income, taxes, equity grants) pulled from the user's own financial profile.
I led content design for this effort, working closely with our financial advisors, covering 15+ key financial topics.
This work included drafting copy, designing illustrations, and performing quality-assurance on the website to ensure each piece was informative and useful.
To provide another vehicle for learning, I designed interactive courses, which used dynamic content (i.e. income, taxes, equity grants) pulled from the user's own financial profile.
I led content design for this effort, working closely with our financial advisors, covering 15+ key financial topics.
This work included drafting copy, designing illustrations, and performing quality-assurance on the website to ensure each piece was informative and useful.
Enterprise/B2B Design
Enterprise/B2B Design
Aligning enterprise goals with product vision
Aligning enterprise goals with product vision
Aligning enterprise goals with product vision
Aside from building the core platform, I collaborated with enterprises to launch financial advisory platforms: Balance Wellbeing, Edward Jones at Work, and AARP helping launch co-branded financial advisory platforms that extended our reach to millions of new users. These partnerships became distribution channels for Addition, requiring alignment across multiple stakeholders, security protocols, and branding standards.
As Addition evolved from serving startups to working with large-scale enterprise clients, design challenges became increasingly complex. Each enterprise had its own legal, compliance, branding, and integration requirements. Alongside my engineering team, I led the effort to scale our design system and provide cross-platform support, which reduced redundant design and engineering work.
Aside from building the core platform, I collaborated with enterprises to launch financial advisory platforms: Balance Wellbeing, Edward Jones at Work, and AARP helping launch co-branded financial advisory platforms that extended our reach to millions of new users. These partnerships became distribution channels for Addition, requiring alignment across multiple stakeholders, security protocols, and branding standards.
As Addition evolved from serving startups to working with large-scale enterprise clients, design challenges became increasingly complex. Each enterprise had its own legal, compliance, branding, and integration requirements. Alongside my engineering team, I led the effort to scale our design system and provide cross-platform support, which reduced redundant design and engineering work.
Aside from building the core platform, I collaborated with enterprises to launch financial advisory platforms: Balance Wellbeing, Edward Jones at Work, and AARP helping launch co-branded financial advisory platforms that extended our reach to millions of new users. These partnerships became distribution channels for Addition, requiring alignment across multiple stakeholders, security protocols, and branding standards.
As Addition evolved from serving startups to working with large-scale enterprise clients, design challenges became increasingly complex. Each enterprise had its own legal, compliance, branding, and integration requirements. Alongside my engineering team, I led the effort to scale our design system and provide cross-platform support, which reduced redundant design and engineering work.
Testimonials
Testimonials
Testimonials
Shoutouts from the team .ᐟ.ᐟ.ᐟ.ᐟ
Shoutouts from the team .ᐟ.ᐟ.ᐟ.ᐟ
Shoutouts from the team .ᐟ.ᐟ.ᐟ.ᐟ
“Tim has a great eye for design, and all his work leads to a product that is pleasant to use. He also understands the tradeoff between usability and aesthetics, so when engineers push back on certain design choices because it could cause inadvertent issues, he will go for whatever is best for the user.”
“Tim has a great eye for design, and all his work leads to a product that is pleasant to use. He also understands the tradeoff between usability and aesthetics, so when engineers push back on certain design choices because it could cause inadvertent issues, he will go for whatever is best for the user.”
“Tim has a great eye for design, and all his work leads to a product that is pleasant to use. He also understands the tradeoff between usability and aesthetics, so when engineers push back on certain design choices because it could cause inadvertent issues, he will go for whatever is best for the user.”
Staff Software Engineer
Staff Software Engineer
Staff Software Engineer
“Tim is a talented designer and is very responsive. Whenever I have a question or am looking for a resource he is always helpful. He has helped transform the app and it looks beautiful! It’s a great interface and our clients and anyone who sees the platform can appreciate all of the work he has done!”
“Tim is a talented designer and is very responsive. Whenever I have a question or am looking for a resource he is always helpful. He has helped transform the app and it looks beautiful! It’s a great interface and our clients and anyone who sees the platform can appreciate all of the work he has done!”
“Tim is a talented designer and is very responsive. Whenever I have a question or am looking for a resource he is always helpful. He has helped transform the app and it looks beautiful! It’s a great interface and our clients and anyone who sees the platform can appreciate all of the work he has done!”
VP of Marketing
VP of Marketing
VP of Marketing