The image featured at the top of the about us page #1
The image featured at the top of the about us page #1
The image featured at the top of the about us page #1

DeepStack Payment Processing Platform

DeepStack Payment Processing Platform

implement the diverse payment methods to provide an efficient and flexible payment experience for users.

Role

I  UX designer in Digital Banking team

Timeline

I  Aug. 2024 - Oct. 2024

Project Overview

Project Overview

What is Deepstack?

Banc of California’s digital payment processing platform is designed for both B2B and B2C use and is used by merchants to accept payments both online and in person.


Deepstack is directly integrated into the bank’s ecosystem, providing users with complete visibility into transaction data, account activity, and reporting, all in one place.

Banc of California’s digital payment processing platform is designed for both B2B and B2C use and is used by merchants to accept payments both online and in person.


Deepstack is directly integrated into the bank’s ecosystem, providing users with complete visibility into transaction data, account activity, and reporting, all in one place.

Business Overview

Business Overview

Problem

The only payment method available on the current platform is through a virtual terminal, where merchants manually enter customer credit card information. This manual process is slow, prone to errors, and unscalable. It also poses security risks and limits customer autonomy.

Task

Implement the new payment links functionality as an additional payment method to give merchants and customers greater flexibility. This allows customers to pay independently, saving time, reducing errors, improving scalability, and enhancing security.

Business Objective

Business Objective

The new payment links feature aims to:

15% *

increase in client retention.

increase in client retention.

25% *

increase in new client sign-ups

increase in new client sign-ups

*numbers are hypothetical and derived from market projections.

Research & Discovery

Research & Discovery

To better understand competitors' payment methods and inform the design process, I conducted a comparative analysis of Square and Stripe, focusing on their user flows.

To better understand competitors' payment methods and inform the design process, I conducted a comparative analysis of Square and Stripe, focusing on their user flows.

objective

Evaluate the payment process functions of similar platforms to identify opportunities for streamlining and improving Deepstack’s payment link functionality.

activity

Analyzed Square and Stripe’s payment flows to identify key features and usability patterns, informing design improvements for Deepstack’s payment link experience.

finding

Square aligned more closely with Deepstack, offering a simple and straightforward experience for both merchants and customers.

Define & Ideate

Define & Ideate

Use cases

To better understand user behavior and define the user journey, I created two use cases comparing different payment methods. From these, I developed step-by-step user journeys to visualize the entire process, identify potential overlaps, and streamline the flow—ensuring an intuitive experience for both merchants and customers.

To better understand user behavior and define the user journey, I created two use cases comparing different payment methods. From these, I developed step-by-step user journeys to visualize the entire process, identify potential overlaps, and streamline the flow—ensuring an intuitive experience for both merchants and customers.

01. Virtual Terminal

a merchant enters customer's payment info

User Scenario

User Scenario

A customer buys flowers from Flower Shop Z and wants to pay with her credit card at the shop.

A customer buys flowers from Flower Shop Z and wants to pay with her credit card at the shop.

User Journey

User Journey

02. Payment Link

a customer enters their payment info through the payment link

User Scenario

User Scenario

A customer sees a chair in the X Furniture Shop's catalog and wants to buy it and make the payment on her own.

A customer sees a chair in the X Furniture Shop's catalog and wants to buy it and make the payment on her own.

User Journey

User Journey

User Flow

Based on the user journeys, I mapped out flows for both the virtual terminal and payment link. I found the initial steps—collecting payment amount, customer info, and transaction details—were identical, allowing me to merge them into a unified flow. While the original requirement treated the payment link as a separate process, I saw an opportunity to reduce cognitive load by integrating it into the virtual terminal. This turned the terminal into a central hub for all payment methods, keeping users in one interface while selecting their preferred option.

Based on the user journeys, I mapped out flows for both the virtual terminal and payment link. I found the initial steps—collecting payment amount, customer info, and transaction details—were identical, allowing me to merge them into a unified flow. While the original requirement treated the payment link as a separate process, I saw an opportunity to reduce cognitive load by integrating it into the virtual terminal. This turned the terminal into a central hub for all payment methods, keeping users in one interface while selecting their preferred option.

Object Map

Using the updated user flows and requirements, I created an object map to clarify the system’s structure, visualize how elements fit together, and ensure everything is organized efficiently and aligned with the requirements.

Using the updated user flows and requirements, I created an object map to clarify the system’s structure, visualize how elements fit together, and ensure everything is organized efficiently and aligned with the requirements.

Pain Points & Recommendations

Pain Points & Recommendations

Virtuall terminal

Current

Recommended

Current

Recommended

*mid-fidelity prototype is intended to show basic user flows only.

What I have learned

Through this project, I learned that even smaller initiatives can benefit from a thoughtful UX process. By analyzing and combining two separate user flows, I was able to create a more streamlined, optimized experience—reinforcing the value of simplicity and efficiency in design.

What I have learned

Through this project, I learned that even smaller initiatives can benefit from a thoughtful UX process. By analyzing and combining two separate user flows, I was able to create a more streamlined, optimized experience—reinforcing the value of simplicity and efficiency in design.

Thank you for watching

Thank you for watching

FIG

personal finance app

FIG

personal finance app

FIG

personal finance app

SmartStreet

HOA financial services platform

SmartStreet

HOA financial services platform

SmartStreet

HOA financial services platform

Aurum

design systems

Aurum

design systems

Aurum

design systems

GoodNeighbors

real estate platform

GoodNeighbors

real estate platform

GoodNeighbors

real estate platform

Kantora

user research platform

Kantora

user research platform

Kantora

user research platform