I led the motion design initiative for Capital One’s Plastic design system. My role involved enhancing web and app animations to align with the brand’s mission, “Change Banking For Good.” Collaborating closely with product designers and developers, I aimed to create a cohesive, friendly motion language across all digital touchpoints.

Objective and Design Principles

The goal was to transform the existing motion elements into experiences that felt engaging and approachable, reinforcing the brand’s ethos. By focusing on soft, seamless transitions and positive feedback icons (e.g., thumbs-up for successful actions), I aimed to inject personality into user interactions. The intention was to humanize the financial journey, making it feel inviting rather than transactional.

Process and Collaboration

The project involved close collaboration with UI designers, product managers, and engineering teams. We developed animations using After Effects, converting them into JSON files via LottieFiles for easy integration. I also used Inspector Spacetime for transitions, creating spec sheets that developers could implement directly into the app.

To address initial hesitations from engineering about integrating motion design, I organized workshops and demonstrated how LottieFiles streamlined the process. This proactive approach, combined with detailed Figma documentation, ensured the handover was efficient and minimized technical issues, gaining developer buy-in.

Results and Impact

• App onboarding completion rates increased by 60% with animation, showing a significant improvement in user engagement.
• The “Pay by Bank” animation saw 90% of research participants preferring the animated route, enhancing clarity and setting us to our goal of £1,000,000 saved annually in processing fees.

Reflection and Learning

This project validated the effectiveness of motion design in financial UX, proving its potential to enhance customer journeys while driving business results. Seeing the tangible outcomes not only reinforced the importance of motion design in digital products but also inspired me to continue innovating in this space.