BillPay

Bringing clarity and speed to
Japan’s complex payment system.

Client

Curfex Technologies

Role

Product Designer / Visual Designer

Year

2024

Background

BillPay is a secure and efficient payment platform designed to help both local and international businesses accept bank transfers in Japan. It offers a fast, low-cost solution to streamline payment collection, while addressing the complexities of Japan’s unique market.

As the founding designer of the company, I helped create its brand identity and advised on the user experience. I also mentored a junior designer while working on this project.

Problem

Navigating digital banking in Japan is often complex, with outdated payment methods and unintuitive interfaces. Foreigners face additional barriers, from language challenges to cumbersome account opening processes, making financial accessibility a significant issue.

Digital banking in Japan is frustating, with outdated payment methods and unintuitive interfaces. Foreigners face additional challenges, from language barriers to complicated account setups.

Solution

We intend on creating a seamless, user-friendly banking platform tailored to Japan’s market while ensuring accessibility for foreigners. With a clean, intuitive UI and multilingual support, the platform simplifies account setup and transactions. The distinct brand identity positions BillPay as a modern, accessible alternative to Japan's outdated banking methods.

We created a seamless, user-friendly banking platform tailored to Japan’s market while ensuring accessibility for foreigners. With a clean, intuitive UI and multilingual support, the platform simplifies account setup and transactions. The distinct brand identity positions BillPay as a modern, accessible alternative to Japan's outdated banking methods.

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01 Discovery

Defining the Product

We got on a call with the CPO to align on business goals, identify key pain points, and gain a deeper understanding of the brand. From this discussion, we consolidated the insights into clear, actionable bullet points to guide the product’s direction.

We got on a call with the CPO to align on business goals, identify key pain points and gain a deeper understanding of the brand. From this discussion, we consolidated the insights into bullet points to guide the product’s direction.

Research

We conducted competitor analysis and market research to identify gaps, areas for improvement, and emerging trends.

Competitor Analysis summary

02 Ideation

Moodboard & Sketches

We did some logo sketches based on the keywords and created moodboards for three brand identity concepts aligned with the brand’s vision.

We did some logo sketches based on the keywords and created 3 different concept moodboards aligned with the brand’s vision.

logo sketches

Moodboard

Defining the MVP (Minimum Viable Product)

We worked closely with the CPO to craft the wireframes and user flow to capture the MVP.

Automatic Payment Request

Schedule future or recurring payments with custom message or ready-made templates.

Schedule future or recurring payments with custom message or templates.

Manual Payment Request

Option to request payment manually and send them on-demand.

Bulk Payment Request

Upload multiple payment requests at once for quick processing.

User Dashboard

View scheduled, pending, and completed payments with a clear, visual layout.

user flow

wireframes

03 Design

Mockups

We refined the logo into a high-fidelity mockup and created a branding package with name cards, a masthead, and landing page.

We presented our designs to stakeholders, who selected Option 1 as the strongest reflection of the brand.

We refined the logo into a high-fidelity mockup and created a branding package with name cards, a masthead, and landing page.

We pitched our design concepts to stakeholders, who selected the option 1 as it best reflected the brand’s identity and values.

We refined the logo into a high-fidelity mockup and created a branding package with name cards, a masthead, and landing page.

We pitched our design concepts to stakeholders, who selected the option 1 as it best reflected the brand’s identity and values.

We transformed the logo into a high-fidelity mockup and created a branding package with name cards, a masthead, and landing page.

We pitched our design concepts to stakeholders, who selected option 1 as it best reflected the brand’s identity and values.

option 1 selected

Final Screens

To reflect the brand's clean and professional identity, we designed the screens with a minimalist layout and a cohesive color palette.

Dashboard

The dashboard provides users with a clear overview of their transactions, including payment status, customer details, and due dates.

We streamlined the interface by reducing excessive dropdowns and filters, ensuring users aren’t overwhelmed while maintaining easy access to essential functions.

The dashboard gives users a quick overview of their transactions, including payment status, customer details, and due dates.

We simplified the layout by removing unnecessary dropdowns and filters, making the experience cleaner without sacrificing functionality.

Request Payment

By clicking on the 'Request Payment' button, users can easily create payment requests by entering key details.

We restructured the form into a guided multi-step layout that breaks the process into manageable stages, helping users focus on one set of inputs at a time without feeling overwhelmed.

Users can quickly create payment requests by entering just the essentials through the ‘Request Payment’ button.

We restructured the form into a guided multi-step layout that breaks the process into manageable stages, helping users focus on one task at a time without feeling overwhelmed.

Payment Progress

This screen helps users track payment request progress with clear timestamps and status updates.

We improved usability by adding visual hierarchy and introducing clearer sectioning using collapsible panels. This enhances readability and makes key information easier to access at a glance.

Users can track their payment progress with clear timestamps and status updates.

We improved usability by introducing a clearer visual hierarchy and organizing content into collapsible sections. This enhances readability and makes key information accessible.

Landing Pages

We wanted a simple landing page that conveyed our purpose and value to both our English and Japanese audience.

home - how it works - pricing

home - how it works - pricing

04 Handoff

Design Consistency & Scalability

We first created a Style Guide to define key branding elements such as color, logo, iconography, and typography, laying the foundation for a cohesive visual identity. From there, we developed an atomic Design System to ensure consistency, reusability, and scalability across the product, streamlining both the design and development process.

We first created a Style Guide to define key branding elements such as color, logo, iconography, and typography, laying the foundation for a cohesive visual identity. From there, we developed a Design System to ensure consistency, reusability, and scalability across the product, streamlining both the design and development process.

brand design guide

design system

Next Step

We will conduct user testing with merchants and analyze the findings to identify areas for improvement. Based on the feedback, we’ll refine the designs and collaborate with developers for seamless implementation.

Reflection

Working at an early-stage startup meant wearing many hats. I took on a hands-on role, helping shape the product from scratch. It wasn’t always easy, but I’m proud of how we brought an initial idea to life.