Seize
Seize
Seize
AI Powered Credit Management App
AI Powered Credit Management App
AI Powered Credit Management App
Seize is an AI-powered financial management app designed for Indian students in the US to proactively manage their credit card debt.
It offers real-time insights into how every purchase affects your credit score, empowering users to make informed spending decisions. By using innovative features such as predictive credit impact analysis and automated round-up savings, Seize helps users build a healthier credit history.
I served as the sole product designer, leading the entire design process—from research and concept to final implementation—creating a solution that truly stands out.
Seize is an AI-powered financial management app designed for Indian students in the US to proactively manage their credit card debt.
It offers real-time insights into how every purchase affects your credit score, empowering users to make informed spending decisions. By using innovative features such as predictive credit impact analysis and automated round-up savings, Seize helps users build a healthier credit history.
I served as the sole product designer, leading the entire design process—from research and concept to final implementation—creating a solution that truly stands out.
Seize is an AI-powered financial management app designed for Indian students in the US to proactively manage their credit card debt.
It offers real-time insights into how every purchase affects your credit score, empowering users to make informed spending decisions. By using innovative features such as predictive credit impact analysis and automated round-up savings, Seize helps users build a healthier credit history.
I served as the sole product designer, leading the entire design process—from research and concept to final implementation—creating a solution that truly stands out.
View Prototype
View Prototype
View Prototype
Product
Product
Product
Mobile application
Mobile application
Mobile application
Skills
Skills
Skills
Product design
Product design
Product design
Rapid prototyping
Rapid prototyping
Rapid prototyping
Interaction design
Interaction design
Interaction design
User research
User research
User research
UX strategy
UX strategy
UX strategy
User testing
User testing
User testing
My Role
My Role
My Role
Product Design Lead
Product Design Lead
Product Design Lead
Tools
Tools
Tools
Figma, Fig Jam, Framer, InDesign, Miro, Notion
Figma, Fig Jam, Framer, InDesign, Miro, Notion
Figma, Fig Jam, Framer, InDesign, Miro, Notion
Timeline
Timeline
Timeline
10 months
10 months
10 months
Context
Context
Context
Indian students have credit card debt, but are they not concerned?
Indian students have credit card debt, but are they not concerned?
Indian students have credit card debt, but are they not concerned?
International students, especially those from India, arrive in the US with limited experience in managing credit. The unfamiliarity with the US credit system, combined with new financial responsibilities, often leaves them unprepared for credit management challenges. Without proper tools or guidance, these students can quickly find themselves overwhelmed by credit card debt and financial strain.
These students accumulate significant credit card debt without having any concern because they rely on uncertain future income to manage their finances. The absence of real-time insights into how each transaction impacts their credit score prevents them from making smart financial decisions, ultimately hindering their ability to build a robust credit history and achieve long-term financial stability.
International students, especially those from India, arrive in the US with limited experience in managing credit. The unfamiliarity with the US credit system, combined with new financial responsibilities, often leaves them unprepared for credit management challenges. Without proper tools or guidance, these students can quickly find themselves overwhelmed by credit card debt and financial strain.
These students accumulate significant credit card debt without having any concern because they rely on uncertain future income to manage their finances. The absence of real-time insights into how each transaction impacts their credit score prevents them from making smart financial decisions, ultimately hindering their ability to build a robust credit history and achieve long-term financial stability.
International students, especially those from India, arrive in the US with limited experience in managing credit. The unfamiliarity with the US credit system, combined with new financial responsibilities, often leaves them unprepared for credit management challenges. Without proper tools or guidance, these students can quickly find themselves overwhelmed by credit card debt and financial strain.
These students accumulate significant credit card debt without having any concern because they rely on uncertain future income to manage their finances. The absence of real-time insights into how each transaction impacts their credit score prevents them from making smart financial decisions, ultimately hindering their ability to build a robust credit history and achieve long-term financial stability.
Making it real...
Making it real...
Making it real...
What if students could see credit-score impact before they swipe their card?
What if students could see credit-score impact before they swipe their card?
What if students could see credit-score impact before they swipe their card?
To address this challenge, Seize introduces an AI-based credit management tool with three core features: a real-time Impact Checker that forecasts score changes before a transaction, a Round-Up Savings Wallet that passively collects spare change to pay down debt, and Smart Nudges that offer tailored tips and warnings at the point of decision. Together, these tools shift users from reactive debt tracking to proactive financial control.
To address this challenge, Seize introduces an AI-based credit management tool with three core features: a real-time Impact Checker that forecasts score changes before a transaction, a Round-Up Savings Wallet that passively collects spare change to pay down debt, and Smart Nudges that offer tailored tips and warnings at the point of decision. Together, these tools shift users from reactive debt tracking to proactive financial control.
Research Process
Research Process
How did we go from insights to interface?
How did we go from insights to interface?
How did we go from insights to interface?
Before interacting with the actual user, I began searching for resources that are already available in the public domain. Asking questions like:
Who is the primary user impacted within the problem space?
What is the size and cost of the problem?
What is the impact-AKA who cares about this?
What are the existing solutions-what's working and what's not?
helped in shaping up the problem space and look in the correct direction.
~ Less than 5% of people in India
own a credit card, compared to a
whopping 66% in the United States.
~ Less than 5% of people in India
own a credit card, compared to a
whopping 66% in the United States.
~ Less than 5% people in India own a credit card compared to a whopping 66% in the US.
5%
66%
300,000
Indian students studying in the us
$9 billion
contribution to the US
in terms of fees and expenses
17%
students have prior
experience with
credit cards
These students arrive with aspirations of achieving the
"American Dream"-
financial independence, stable jobs, and a secure future.
300,000
Indian students
studying in the us
17%
students have prior
experience with
credit cards
$9 billion
contribution to the US
in terms of fees and expenses
These students arrive with aspirations of achieving the "American Dream"-
financial independence, stable jobs, and a secure future.
Initial Problem
Statement
How Might We Reduce...
How Might We Reduce...
the uncertainty Indian students experience while balancing credit card usage in the US, ensuring they can build a strong credit and avoid financial strain.
Initial Problem
Statement
How Might We Reduce...
the uncertainty Indian students experience while balancing credit card usage in the US, ensuring they can build a strong credit and avoid financial strain.
Primary Research
Primary Research
Primary Research
Approach:
After identifying key patterns and gaps through secondary research, I moved into the primary research phase to validate assumptions and explore real user experiences in-depth.
My goal was to understand how international students, especially those from India, experience and manage credit card usage in the U.S.
Approach:
After identifying key patterns and gaps through secondary research, I moved into the primary research phase to validate assumptions and explore real user experiences in-depth.
My goal was to understand how Indian students experience and manage credit card usage in the U.S.
User Interviews
~ Participants: 12
~ Type: Generative
~ Location: Philadelphia
~ Avg. Time: 37 min
~ Participants: 12
~ Type: Generative
~ Location: Philadelphia
~ Avg. Time: 37 min
Across all interviews, several key themes consistently appeared;
Most participants had never used a credit card in India. They were unfamiliar with terms like “minimum payment,” “APR,” or how credit scores function. This lack of foundational knowledge led to poor early decisions.
Many participants described credit cards as “extra money” or “invisible cash,” which created a sense of detachment. This often led to impulsive or unnecessary spending, especially during emotionally heightened moments like stress, loneliness, or peer pressure. Participants only realized the long-term impact of poor credit decisions after facing debt, missed payments, or being rejected for financial products. Many wished they had been taught these concepts earlier.
Some students spoke about how credit cards made them feel more in control or confident in social settings, while others highlighted the stress of “keeping up” with peers in spending.
Common Problem
Areas
Common Problem
Areas
Common Problem
Areas
These problem areas were identified through patterns observed during interviews and research synthesis. The goal was find recurring themes, which vary from having a lack of real-time credit awareness to emotional overspending. I outlined the key issues that contribute to financial strain among students.
These problem areas were identified through patterns observed during interviews and research synthesis. The goal was find recurring themes, which vary from having a lack of real-time credit awareness to emotional overspending. I outlined the key issues that contribute to financial strain among students.
User Interviews
~ Participants: 12
~ Type: Generative
~ Location: Philadelphia
~ Avg. Time: 37 min
Across all interviews, several key themes consistently appeared;
Most participants had never used a credit card in India. They were unfamiliar with terms like “minimum payment,” “APR,” or how credit scores function. This lack of foundational knowledge led to poor early decisions.
Many participants described credit cards as “extra money” or “invisible cash,” which created a sense of detachment. This often led to impulsive or unnecessary spending, especially during emotionally heightened moments like stress, loneliness, or peer pressure. Participants only realized the long-term impact of poor credit decisions after facing debt, missed payments, or being rejected for financial products. Many wished they had been taught these concepts earlier.
Some students spoke about how credit cards made them feel more in control or confident in social settings, while others highlighted the stress of “keeping up” with peers in spending.
Stakeholders View
Stakeholders View
Stakeholders View
“International students tend to spend more than domestic students and they are much more careful about their credit scores.”
“International students tend to spend more than domestic students and they are much more careful about their credit scores.”
“International students tend to spend more than domestic students and they are much more careful about their credit scores.”
Stakeholder interviews revealed that many Indian students arrive in the U.S. without any familiarity with credit cards, creating a gap in understanding key concepts like interest rates, minimum payments, and credit scoring. Although they care about building good credit, they lack accessible, reliable tools and guidance, often relying on peers who may perpetuate misinformation. Even when resources exist, students struggle to find or use them effectively, highlighting a need for clearer, more approachable credit education.
These insights confirmed that the problem isn’t just about
overspending, it’s about lack of visibility, support, and structure. This shaped the core focus of my project, helping students make informed, real-time decisions, understand the impact of their actions, and develop better financial habits from the start.
Stakeholder interviews revealed that many Indian students arrive in the U.S. without any familiarity with credit cards, creating a gap in understanding key concepts like interest rates, minimum payments, and credit scoring. Although they care about building good credit, they lack accessible, reliable tools and guidance, often relying on peers who may perpetuate misinformation. Even when resources exist, students struggle to find or use them effectively, highlighting a need for clearer, more approachable credit education.
These insights confirmed that the problem isn’t just about overspending, it’s about lack of visibility, support, and structure. This shaped the core focus of my project, helping students make informed, real-time decisions, understand the impact of their actions, and develop better financial habits from the start.
Zooming In Targeting Debt
and Financial Strain
Zooming In Targeting Debt and Financial Strain
Zooming In Targeting Debt and Financial Strain
“Main purpose of getting a credit card was
to build a credit score but ended up in debt.
Right now, just trying to maintain a good
credit score and not falling into debt”
- Participant 1
“Main purpose of getting a credit card was to build a credit score but ended up in debt. Right now, just trying to maintain a good credit score and not falling into debt” - Participant 1
“Main purpose of getting a credit card was to build a credit score but ended up in debt. Right now, just trying to maintain a good credit score and not falling into debt”
- Participant 1
Through the synthesis phase, one issue consistently stood out as the most alarming and urgent: managing debt and financial strain. When reviewing participant responses, I discovered that 9 of the 12 participants had accumulated over $20,000 in credit card debt. While this number alone is concerning, what was even more surprising was the lack of urgency or concern students expressed about their financial situation. Rather than treating debt as a critical problem, many participants accepted it as a temporary side effect of studying in the U.S. a necessary risk they believed they could recover from later.
This prompted me to look beyond the obvious and ask;
Why aren’t they worried?
Through the synthesis phase, one issue consistently stood out as the most alarming and urgent: managing debt and financial strain. When reviewing participant responses, I discovered that 9 of the 12 participants had accumulated over $20,000 in credit card debt. While this number alone is concerning, what was even more surprising was the lack of urgency or concern students expressed about their financial situation. Rather than treating debt as a critical problem, many participants accepted it as a temporary side effect of studying in the U.S. a necessary risk they believed they could recover from later.
This prompted me to look beyond the obvious and ask; Why aren’t they worried?
9 out of 12
participants have a
total of debt of over
$20,000!
9 out of 12 participants have a
total debt of over
$20,000!
9 out of 12
participants have a
total debt of over
$20,000!
50%
of them have admitted of using over 50% of their credit limit.
50%
of them admitted of using over 50% of their credit limit
50%
of them admitted of using over 50% of their credit limit.
70%
had difficulty budgeting their monthly expenses
70%
reported difficulty budgeting their monthly expenses
70%
reported difficulty budgeting their monthly expenses.
Looking Outside the Frame
Zooming In Targeting Debt and Financial Strain
Zooming In Targeting Debt and Financial Strain
Is DEBT the real problem?
Students are confident in paying of their debt once they land a job.
“Credit cards are helping me and spoiling me at the same time because my debt is increasing day by day, as I’ve already told you that it’s almost like 6 to 8000 dollars. If I get a job then hopefully I’ll clear all my debts.” - Participant 10
but,
but,
but,
1 in 6
1 in 6
International students struggle to find a job within 6 months after graduation
International students struggle to find a job within 6 months of graduation
This reframed everything. The problem wasn't just impulsive spending, managing debt, or lack of awareness,
it was a how they perceived debt with a deeper dependence on uncertain future opportunities.
Final
Problem Statement
How Might We...
How Might We...
help Indian students in the US, better manage their credit card debt and make more informed financial decisions, not relying on uncertain future opportunities.
Final Problem Statement
How Might We...
help Indian students in the US, better manage their credit card debt and make more informed financial decisions, not relying on uncertain future opportunities.
Current Market
Current Market
Students today already have access to dozens of apps to check their credit scores or plan a monthly budget.
Most of these apps are reactive, they tell you after the damage is done.
Most of these apps are reactive, they tell you after the damage is done.
Students today already have access to dozens of apps to check their credit scores or plan a monthly budget.