&Arise banking platform

&Arise is a banking-funded community platform advising migrant entrepreneurs.
The goal is to support migrants, or people who just moved to Germany, growing their business ideas by creating a local network of coaches and mentees. The web app offers three main services: banking, coaching and communication exchange among the registered users. The app is currently under development: more here ↗

The naming '&Arise', chosen by the client, is based on the idea of starting something new, without questioning academic background, financial situation, or place of origin. Identifying in those who strive to make their dreams come true, the brand identity creates an overall feeling of energy and passion.

Language and cultural differences can create a huge barrier: &Arise tries to overcome it by offering a service where customers can interact with coaches who speak their language. Users can ask questions or pay the coaches for executing specific tasks. The coaches are not external professionals or dedicated people: they are app users themselves, entrepreneurs who can share their experience and advice. There is no certificate or exam to pass: everybody can register as coaches if they feel they can teach to others.

The entire app design process took about four months, with the first two dedicated only to the wireframe and user journey. The client was very helpful: Yunus and his team dedicated lots of time sketching the first screens before starting our collaboration. They were also very supportive and insightful in their feedback.

The web app was designed primarily for mobile devices. Obviously, the content structure was created thinking about its adaptation to desktop and tablets. Since there were planned many functionalities, basic elements and interactions were implemented in order to facilitate the development. As a matter of fact, most of the design components and text styles were already created during the wireframe phase.

Homepage: mobile and desktop.

Homepage sections and search bar.

The homepage features the services offered by the web app. Users (also non-registered ones) can pose a question directly on the search bar or choose one among a defined list of topics. The search results appear on the Ask page. Here registered users can open the offers created by the coaches and contact them directly. Coaches create offers to explain and sell their advice or skills. A few ones are also for free. Chatting does not cost: it is encouraged to establish connections and form a personal network.

Ask: the page where users can ask questions or look for offers already published.

Coach profile: mobile and desktop.

Both coaches and mentees have their public profile in which they can share their current job position or aspirations. During the research phase, it emerged that entrepreneurs were proud of their results and happy to share them with fellows. A dedicated feature is called ‘milestones’: users can highlight personal achievements such as the launch of their company, the number of employees or clients. Furthermore, the feature 'competitive distance' has been designed to avoid ideas exploitation among users. Users define the minimum distance an advisor from the same industry should have to them. If a person who is below that range tries to contact them, they get an alert and decide if accept or not.

Banking service: mobile and desktop.

Registration process

Dashboard screens.

Banking page and settings.

Identity and UX/UI design
Cinzia Bongino

Art direction (Identity)
Cronica Studio

App copy
Yunus and team (&Arise)

Client
&Arise

Year
2021