Data Requirements for Borrowers
The borrower’s credibility, track record of making timely payments, and professional background are all considered factors. Lenders may reach different findings because appraisals are typically subjective. Kiva is a nonprofit organization that connects people in need of financial assistance with lenders (Kiva, 2021).
Kiva’s consumers are seeking lenders to facilitate easy access to credit. In the borrowers’ evaluation, the organization must connect them with a local lender. The type of financing model and frequency of payments should be communicated to the borrower before they are paired with the most suitable lender in their area. The information in the two comma-separated value (CSV) files will be crucial in determining the best course of action for this situation.
The first step is to display the borrower’s loan type at the front and center of the UI, where the borrower’s loan status is determined. Since the embedded system needs to restrict the amount of data stored, it seems pointless to include details like the lender ID and the ledger in the User Interface (UI) (Dey et al., 2020). Although a graphic user interface (GUI) does not allow for flashy graphics, one can present borrowers’ details in a way that considers their needs. Kiva borrowers will be the primary users of the system, utilizing the embedded system to access relevant information about the borrowing process.
The borrowers should be able to access their existing loan and the amount they are expected to repay. Additionally, lenders should have complete information about the borrower before issuing a loan. The system should be programmed and designed to open different screens that hold information regarding the loan process, providing the borrower with full access. The other screen displays the existing borrowers with an option to request additional loans. The design should therefore be as pleasing as possible for easy interaction.
Specific Borrower Stories
The borrower’s narrative raises data requirements. The requirement to access information via a flip phone is prioritized so that borrowers may monitor the status of their loans, apply for new loans via Kiva, and learn about repayment options. It is also crucial to know the borrower’s motivation for taking out the loan and the repercussions of not making the payment by the due date. Loan applicants must also justify their need for the funds.
Kiva’s loans actively promote women’s empowerment. A group of women from Senegal said they needed the funds to cover “sheep and seeds and utilize the balance for other expenditures from operating their activities” (Kiva, 2021), build up their savings, and send their children to college based on their working money. Kenyan farmer Mary borrowed $200 to buy fodder for her dairy cows. She made a lot of money and planned to use it to send her grandchildren to college. She is investing in her grandchildren’s future, which will benefit them (Blakeway, 2020). Their efforts have proven helpful in the family and given their husbands a sigh of relief from the heavy demands of family life.
Reviewing borrowers’ stories helps to understand the lending process from their viewpoint. Susan, a determined beekeeper in Hawaii, recently applied for a $15,000 loan to purchase new and improved beekeeping equipment to resell to her fellow islanders (Kiva, 2021). As an American citizen, Mandy took out a loan to expand her kitchen. She aims to provide a product uncommon to the residents, such as a cocktail bar and a locally made dessert. The information needed for the story above is comparable.
Jairo Patricio from Ecuador needed $1,600 to purchase farm inputs for granadilla cultivation. The Somfida Padegroup took a loan of $6,975 to purchase second-hand clothing intended for resale. Hilda from Peru also borrowed $1,825 to pay for weeding labor on her coffee farm and buy mulch.
Reviewing the loan applicants’ stories presents the lender’s perspective, yet the most important aspect is obtaining the borrowers’ perspective. Since the borrower’s reviews of the stories did not present a different take than the one initially given, the assessment of the data requirements remains unchanged. Nevertheless, this perspective is taken since it is not clarified. The five borrowers reviewed above exhibit a single notable pattern, with diverse business ideas and varying loan amounts. Each account details the remaining days to repay the loan, the amount of funds still needed, a photo of the individual being profiled, and a summary.
Data Requirements for Lenders
Having heard their voices, lenders expressed a desire to see the data after their money has been disbursed and, if feasible, the data of other lenders. The lender also needs a method to track how often the borrower has repaid past loans. The loaner’s name and the amount will be the most relevant information in the two CSV files for the lender to consider. The nature of the loan and the role it is expected to play will also likely be requested information. Finally, lenders may be interested in learning the total amount borrowed, the anticipated repayment time, and the total number of lenders.
The system’s different users will be lenders who wish to obtain information about the borrower before giving out a loan. According to Dey et al. (2020), the borrowers will also visit the site to track the due amount. Each user must be familiar with the system’s graphical user Interface. The borrower must enter the loan amount and specify how it will be used. The lender must thoroughly research the borrower to whom they are lending, using the available information.
The system design will focus on functionality, an easy-to-use layout, and consistency of color schemes (Benyon, 2019). Lenders can evaluate the borrower’s application and assess the loan’s terms in comparison to those of other lenders. The Graphic User Interface (GUI) is a design requirement for the system, as it makes the most optimal use of available resources.
Recommendation of Borrowers’ Data Priorities for UX/UI Development
Concerning the UI, a little picture of the borrower is placed in the upper left corner of the page. The total amount required, the remaining funding gap, and the remaining amount to be raised would follow. The reasons for the loan and the intended use of the funds would be written underneath it. Information about the loan will be included here, such as the amount borrowed and the remaining repayment period (Blakeway, 2020).
This information is crucial, as it clearly and understandably displays the client’s desires. For instance, including a picture of the person in the user interface may facilitate communication with that person. The gadget’s look and feel are well-suited to its purpose (Dey et al., 2020). Publicizing the loan repayment date will give people time to consider whether a donation is needed.
How Data Can Be Reflected in a UI/UX Design
The initial graphic does not allow one to click on the home screen now. When borrowers open the application, they are immediately presented with data showing the most recent account adjustments. The flip devices have three buttons on the bottom taskbar. They let the user easily navigate the app’s few menus and settings. The screen flip device is now enabled, as indicated by the navigation bar at the top. A few more options will become selectable if one clicks the account button.
One may expect a user profile, a settings menu, a help menu, and a privacy menu. Finally, the customer may begin the loan application by selecting the borrower option on the home page (Blakeway, 2020). He would detail the amount of money needed, the time lenders would be allowed to deliver the money, and the reason for the situation’s necessity. The account screen would provide the borrower’s present and archived loans, as well as information on their funding and repayment, while ensuring access.
User Data Access
The sample diagram above has its starting page presently inaccessible. The borrower’s most recent information will be displayed on the screen when the app is opened. The flip gadget has three buttons on the lower taskbar at the bottom. They enable the user to navigate the app’s few available settings. The screen is shown on the navigation bar at the top of the flip gadget. Clicking “Account” will bring up additional options to explore. Profiles, options, support, and protections for individual privacy are all part of this.
Finally, the Borrower button directs the user to the borrowing page, where they can initiate the loan application process. He would lay out the amount needed, how much time they could give lenders to come through, and why this mattered at this time. The account screen would display all the borrower’s current and past loans, as well as information on how they were funded and repaid.
Justification of Why the Design is Suited for the User
The main menu of the prototype serves as the program’s starting point, where the user will initially land. They can use the screen controls to quickly toggle between screens. Secondly, it is understood that borrowers are eager to learn more about Kiva and stay informed about any developments. Hence, the news feed is considered the most prominent feature of the homepage. Thirdly, there was a combination of Kiva-related and personal updates to ensure that users were constantly updated on everything that mattered.
After landing on the UI, some data elements are brought to the forefront to appear natural to the user. Users would also understand the style because it is uncomplicated and saves them from having to learn how our program operates. A user can complete tasks in the application by simply navigating the interface.
The user is expected to fill in his details on the profile, without which he will not be allowed to borrow any loan. The notification section will display a welcoming message if his details are up to date. It is here that he shall get any information regarding loan approvals. The note section is left for the user to feed in their data on how they intend to use the loan.
Balancing Creativity with the Code of Conduct
Similar to any other organization, Kiva is sensitive to its reputation. It is free to share its APIs with system developers so that they can showcase their skills and promote the organization’s name; however, it does not wish its name to be used in the programs. As a result, their code of conduct was considered, and they did not use the developed system for commercial purposes. The last button will help the user track their loan more conveniently.
Digital Wireframe for the Interface
The features include the main menu, account information, loan information, and programs 1, 2, and 3, as shown below.
Rationale Behind the Design
The bell icon, indicating a notification, is located in the upper left corner of the Main Menu. If one clicks the update button on the main menu, Kiva will provide the most recent information it possesses. Notifications for updates, new Kiva features, and other information will be included. Users may select whatever entry they are interested in reading (Kiva, 2021). This interface lets Kiva and its partners send group messages and reminders about payments. There are two types of payment alerts: those that notify one that a payment is overdue and those that remind one that it is due soon.
The menu screen features two separate icons for accessing loan details. The first one can be found in the screen’s lower right corner, which, when clicked, displays details on the user’s active loans. Using the screen and data provided, the user may view the payback schedule by clicking the calendar button. The loan’s next scheduled payback date and other crucial details, such as the loan’s total amount and interest rate, will be shown in a calendar-like interface below a notification-style menu.
The alternative button for loan details is the Donate button, located in the bottom left corner of the main menu, which provides loan details and allows users to apply for one. The screen containing the user’s account information is accessible via the contact icon in the upper-right corner.
The wireframe benefits the borrower through its quick and straightforward loan application process. The page allows users to locate and change their location, denoted by a destination identifier icon, and reach the loan information screen. On the other hand, Kiva benefits from having more borrowers and attracting more clients to its site.
A back button is included on each screen, allowing the user to return to the initial menu. Additionally, a help button was incorporated as part of an innovative solution to address any challenges the user may encounter. According to Alepis & Patsakis (2017), Android developers made the design more appealing by remarking that the UI is one of the top priorities among mobile operating systems.
Recommendations for a Cloud-Based System
A tracker should monitor end-user activities and detect unwanted intruders. The system should be configured to detect vulnerabilities and take the necessary action, such as launching a scanning process. This design has been kept simple, allowing borrowers to borrow and repay their loans on time, which aligns with the company’s mission and vision.
Information acquisition between the different components is necessary. The small amount of data displayed on the interface allowed for significantly more storage on the device (Dey et al., 2020). Communication between the different components will be optimized since it is easy to access and utilize. The developer aims for the system to meet the goals of the lenders, including providing comprehensive information about the borrower and offering efficient means of issuing and receiving loan repayments.
References
Alepis, E., & Patsakis, C. (2017). Trapped by the UI: The Android case. In International Symposium on Research in Attacks, Intrusions, and Defenses (pp. 334-354). Springer, Cham. Web.
Benyon, D. (2019). Designing user experience. Pearson UK. Web.
Dey, D., Habibovic, A., Löcken, A., Wintersberger, P., Pfleging, B., Riener, A., & Terken, J. (2020). Taming the eHMI jungle: A classification taxonomy to guide, compare, and assess the design principles of automated vehicles’ external human-machine interfaces. Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 7. Web.
Blakeway, J. (2020). Kiva: Loans that change lives. The Yinova Center. Web.
Kiva. (2021). Annual Report – Kiva. Web.