Visual Tools and Modern Finance: Design and its Influence on Explaining Complex Ideas

Finance is one of the concepts with which we deal on a daily basis, yet many of us struggle with not only its complex ideas but its simpler ones too. Long-term planning, derivatives, stocks and market exposure are all terms that come with varying difficulty of understanding. With all this taken into account, financial companies have made a clear effort to simplify how information is presented to the general public, especially through visual tools in apps, mirroring a broader trend across industry.

From Numbers to Visual Explanation

Traditionally, financial communication was done through reports, spreadsheets and charts. These may be effective in the workplace but not for the average person. We now see platforms employing more visual techniques like flow diagrams and simulations to convey ideas. A comparable approach is seen across digital formats, for example in the entertainment sector. In iGaming, the outcomes from Plinko Go, a game built around a cascading ball mechanic, are displayed through a structured visual pathway rather than with explanation. Players can choose their bet, drop the ball and watch it bounce into a multiplier, and the interface presents movement and progression in a way that is easily understood. We can see similar principles in action in weather forecasting platforms.

Animated maps and colour coding help audiences understand things like storm paths and temperature shifts. Although designed for different purposes, the visual systems across industry have the same goal: to simplify complex information and improve understanding.

Visual Structure Improving Accessibility

Accessibility is an important consideration for companies these days, and visual tools help with this. Clear design reduces reliance on previous knowledge and allows understanding quickly. Financial institutions, such as Revolut, increasingly use animation and interactivity to improve the user experience. For certain products, they can communicate progression more intuitively with graphs instead of just text. This thoughtful design can present information accurately in a way that is easier to engage with, especially for members of the general public.

Design-Led Communication

As the financial industry continues to transition into a digital-first environment, presentation has become just as important as content. N26 are among the leaders in Europe creating an app that is both intuitive and visually appealing to use. Aspects like visual hierarchy, motion and sequencing guide users step by step through previously scary processes.

By borrowing visual strategies from digital interactive formats from other industries, financial companies have been able to educate their users, improve the experience and increase retention. The approach aligns with broader trends in which users expect easy navigation and simplified processes. The focus is still on accurate information but presenting it in an easy, digestible way.

Source: Unsplash

The increased use of visual tools in the financial industry mirrors a wider shift in how complex information is presented in a digital world. Movement, layout and structured visuals have increased comprehension and meant that the general public feels more comfortable interacting with their finances and making decisions that before may have felt too complex. As audiences continue to ask for clarity and accessibility, visual design will remain a crucial aspect of digital design.

Nathan Cohen