I've been redesigning part of Natwest's online banking site in my spare time. It's a site I visit most days, and although their current design could be worse, there's a lot of room for improvement. It isn't full width (it's aligned to the left with a big white panel on the right) nor is it fun or responsive... and let's face it, banking needs to be made as fun as possible to make it feel less like a chore!
There are no new feature ideas incorporated into this design, it is purely a fun redesign using a similar layout and colours. I felt it should stay pretty professional considering this is a real-life bank!
It looks stunning on a retina display. I really enjoy picking up on the little details in there.
Personally, I'd align monetary values (and their corresponding headings) to the right, but that's just my preference.
The only other thing that didn't quite sit right for me was the goal progress bar, specifically the black background. Have you tried a lighter version?
@Joe Sergeant Thanks Joe. I think it's things like this that really benefit from having a retina display, the 1px lines and text is so crisp! I haven't actually tried a lighter background on the progress bars, but it's something I'm going to try right now because now you've pointed it out I think I agree with you!
@Wills Bithrey Now that is good feedback - I hope Natwest see that! ;) Thanks!
Having worked at a bank, if they start trying to implement this now, they might be done by 2015 :-)
I agree on right aligned figures. It's been proven that they're easier to calculate in your head if they're right aligned. Hence Excel doing it I guess.
@Sam Potts Yikes! I can only imagine how long it would take them! I see why aligned figures would come in handy now you've mentioned excel! I think I'll change them. Thanks :)
I agree about the alignment of some of the elements in the table. Also, you've given a lot of emphasis to the top tabs. Are people likely to be switching from Personal to Business Banking so often? I'd say the most important things on this screen are the Account Names and the left sidebar. Just my thoughts — it's a definite improvement! :)
@Jack Bingham Thanks Jack! You're right, it won't be often people switch between personal/private/business - I might remove those links and replace them with the links that are in the left sidebar... Maybe hide alerts, admin and settings under the username (top right) and show summary, statements & transfers in the top blue bar... Thinking out loud :)
Consider change the progress bar and accounts summary active state color from violet to something else – it breaks color coding of clickable things
You are using the £ sign like 500 times throughout the screen, there's no other currencies, right? "Balance, £" in the table header can be a good start to clean this a bit.
Online banking options needs more grouping – a subtle separators maybe?
Add new goal – one of the words is redundant, "Add goal" or "new goal" is enough
"Your saving goals" header can differ from its following inner mates. No need for parentheses on edit as well.
@Serhiy Baryshniev Thanks so much for the constructive feedback Serhiy! I was wondering myself about all the £ signs. You're right, there are no other currencies. What does everyone else think about £ signs? Needed every time or not? The other suggestions all make good sense too. I shall experiment and will be shooting a rebound soon :) Thanks again!
@Russell Kerr Ha! Thanks Russell. Unfortunately I'm slightly jealous of my imaginary bank balance too :)
Ooh nice dude! Defo an improvement on the current site fo sho!
Couple of bits o'feedback:
- Maybe reduce the font size of the footer text...seems a little on the large side
- The Quick Transfers form feels like it needs to be more...together? Maybe needs some sort of separating line above it and a slightly different background colour?
- Agree with @Joe Sergeant about right aligning the money
@Callum Chapman I agree with everything above apart from the £ signs, I think as your talking money - much like the right aligned numbers it helps your mind with actually translating that meaningless number into something physical - your actual money. So I vote to keep it. I'm a Natwest customer - i'd like to see something like this implemented. I know @anna_debenham managed to get the Natwest team to listen on a few accessibility issues that she wrote to them about! They implemented all bout 1 of her suggestions.
@Ian Tearle Thanks Ian! That's great... They actually got back to me via Twitter and told me they have forwarded it to the right department to have a look! Hopefully something will come of it :)
28 Responses (page 1 of 2)
I've been redesigning part of Natwest's online banking site in my spare time. It's a site I visit most days, and although their current design could be worse, there's a lot of room for improvement. It isn't full width (it's aligned to the left with a big white panel on the right) nor is it fun or responsive... and let's face it, banking needs to be made as fun as possible to make it feel less like a chore!
There are no new feature ideas incorporated into this design, it is purely a fun redesign using a similar layout and colours. I felt it should stay pretty professional considering this is a real-life bank!
Would love to hear your feedback, especially those of you who bank with Natwest! You can view retina pixels and the wireframe I put together prior to designing this.
6 months ago
It looks stunning on a retina display. I really enjoy picking up on the little details in there.
Personally, I'd align monetary values (and their corresponding headings) to the right, but that's just my preference.
The only other thing that didn't quite sit right for me was the goal progress bar, specifically the black background. Have you tried a lighter version?
Overall though, love it.
6 months ago
This is unreal. Stunning work Callum.
I'd probably change bank (to Natwest) if they actually built this.
Why are all online banking sites so poor?
6 months ago
@Joe Sergeant Thanks Joe. I think it's things like this that really benefit from having a retina display, the 1px lines and text is so crisp! I haven't actually tried a lighter background on the progress bars, but it's something I'm going to try right now because now you've pointed it out I think I agree with you!
@Wills Bithrey Now that is good feedback - I hope Natwest see that! ;) Thanks!
6 months ago
Awesome work man, as a Natwest customer, I can say this is a massive improvement to their online banking site!
6 months ago
@Mark James Thanks Mark! Feel free to shoot them a tweet with the link, you never know... ;) and you @Wills Bithrey!
6 months ago
@Callum Chapman Haha, consider it done!
6 months ago
This came out great!
6 months ago
Beautiful! Natwest should really go for this design!
6 months ago
Awesome!!!
6 months ago
That looks awesome!
6 months ago
Very nice. Tidy.
Having worked at a bank, if they start trying to implement this now, they might be done by 2015 :-)
I agree on right aligned figures. It's been proven that they're easier to calculate in your head if they're right aligned. Hence Excel doing it I guess.
6 months ago
@Cat Smith @PixelBit Apps @Ben Bate @Brad L'estrange Thanks everyone :)
@Sam Potts Yikes! I can only imagine how long it would take them! I see why aligned figures would come in handy now you've mentioned excel! I think I'll change them. Thanks :)
6 months ago
cool
6 months ago
I agree about the alignment of some of the elements in the table. Also, you've given a lot of emphasis to the top tabs. Are people likely to be switching from Personal to Business Banking so often? I'd say the most important things on this screen are the Account Names and the left sidebar. Just my thoughts — it's a definite improvement! :)
6 months ago
@Serhiy Baryshniev Thanks!
@Jack Bingham Thanks Jack! You're right, it won't be often people switch between personal/private/business - I might remove those links and replace them with the links that are in the left sidebar... Maybe hide alerts, admin and settings under the username (top right) and show summary, statements & transfers in the top blue bar... Thinking out loud :)
6 months ago
@Callum Chapman Can't wait to see v2 :)
6 months ago
Few comments:
Consider change the progress bar and accounts summary active state color from violet to something else – it breaks color coding of clickable things
You are using the £ sign like 500 times throughout the screen, there's no other currencies, right? "Balance, £" in the table header can be a good start to clean this a bit.
Online banking options needs more grouping – a subtle separators maybe?
Add new goal – one of the words is redundant, "Add goal" or "new goal" is enough
"Your saving goals" header can differ from its following inner mates. No need for parentheses on edit as well.
Maybe that helps a little :)
6 months ago
not sure if i'm more jealous of your design skills or imaginary bank balance. awesome work!
6 months ago
@Serhiy Baryshniev Thanks so much for the constructive feedback Serhiy! I was wondering myself about all the £ signs. You're right, there are no other currencies. What does everyone else think about £ signs? Needed every time or not? The other suggestions all make good sense too. I shall experiment and will be shooting a rebound soon :) Thanks again!
@Russell Kerr Ha! Thanks Russell. Unfortunately I'm slightly jealous of my imaginary bank balance too :)
6 months ago
Ooh nice dude! Defo an improvement on the current site fo sho!
Couple of bits o'feedback:
- Maybe reduce the font size of the footer text...seems a little on the large side
- The Quick Transfers form feels like it needs to be more...together? Maybe needs some sort of separating line above it and a slightly different background colour?
- Agree with @Joe Sergeant about right aligning the money
Looks sweet though man...start the petition!
6 months ago
Thanks @Steve Oldham, agree with most of this and will take note for when I find a spare couple of hours to rework some bits :)
6 months ago
@Callum Chapman I agree with everything above apart from the £ signs, I think as your talking money - much like the right aligned numbers it helps your mind with actually translating that meaningless number into something physical - your actual money. So I vote to keep it. I'm a Natwest customer - i'd like to see something like this implemented. I know @anna_debenham managed to get the Natwest team to listen on a few accessibility issues that she wrote to them about! They implemented all bout 1 of her suggestions.
6 months ago
@Ian Tearle Thanks Ian! That's great... They actually got back to me via Twitter and told me they have forwarded it to the right department to have a look! Hopefully something will come of it :)
6 months ago
Awesome! Natwest could do with this
6 months ago