Overview
KnotAPI is a merchant connectivity platform that helps financial institutions and fintech companies manage and update users' payment methods seamlessly. Their main product, CardSwitcher™, allows banks and fintechs to automatically update default payment methods, ensuring their cards remain the preferred choice for their customers wherever they shop. This prevents declined transactions when users switch banks or update their cards, maintaining top-of-wallet status.
Business Need
KnotAPI needed an initial logo, branding, and product designs to build their product and pitch to investors effectively.
My Role
I was responsible for the overall visual identity and user experience of KnotAPI. My key contributions included:
Logo and Brand Design: Created the initial logo and established the brand guidelines to ensure a consistent visual identity.
Product Design: Designed the user experience for the mobile-first CardSwitcher™ product.
Web Design: Developed the website layout and visual elements to align with the brand’s identity.
Product Strategy: Collaborated with KnotAPI’s leadership team to align the design strategy with business goals and investor expectations.
Prototyping and Iteration: Used Figma to rapidly prototype, iterate, and gather feedback, ensuring the designs met user needs and business objectives.
Collaboration and Development: Worked closely with developers to test, QA, and refine the product, ensuring a seamless handoff from design to implementation.
Goal
Create a modern fintech visual brand that is simple and flexible enough to integrate into KnotAPI’s clients' applications. Deliverables included logo assets, website designs, and product designs and prototypes.
Research
We drew inspiration from Plaid’s minimal branding and emphasis on financial connectivity, which is familiar to users in the fintech space. Our goal was to ensure users felt secure and safe while using KnotAPI.
Design & Development
I collaborated closely with KnotAPI’s leadership team using Figma for quick iterations, prototyping, and feedback from leadership and potential investors. The process involved:
Creating low-fidelity UX flows
Developing high-fidelity UI designs
Focusing on a mobile-first interface
Testing, QA, and refining the product with developers
Results
KnotAPI successfully closed a $10M Series A round led by Nava Ventures, Amex Ventures, and Plaid. The design and branding efforts led to several positive outcomes:
Positive Client Feedback: KnotAPI’s leadership team and early users praised the intuitive design and seamless user experience.
Accelerated Time to Market: The efficient design and development process enabled KnotAPI to launch CardSwitcher™ quickly.
Investor Attraction: The polished design and clear product strategy were instrumental in securing $10M in Series A funding.