Hello, I’m Justin. I help teams create valuable design-led solutions – from award-winning apps to global wealth management platforms.
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Project Samples
Summaries demonstrating the value of prototyping and design thinking.
Financial Services | London 2023
A design system for a global blueprint
This prototyped kit of parts, was designed for funding pitches and partner conversations, established a beautifully simple visual language.
The blueprint was for a substantial proposition: “Global fund administration reimagined”. The simple, geometric aesthetic supported ZILO's journey to landing Series A funding and multiple Asset Manager partners around the world.
MIT Innovator Group Project | Boston 2022
Understanding financial ID concepts
Diverse classmates from Brazil, Hong Kong, and Kansas worked to understand perceptions and acceptance of virtual currency, environments, and distributed identity.
Financial ID concepts based on open banking principles and decentralized networks through virtual contexts were presented and tested with prototypes.
The initial findings were that although a Web3 ID is distributed, it needs a trusted custodian (or brand) to be accepted. There was also a human insight that “bank level security” has merit in the mind of the mass consumer.
Project Insight
People need a trusted custodian for their financial identity in virtual contexts.
Financial Services | Philadelphia 2021
Financial wellness for everyone
The platform used rules of thumb financial plan topics, but required new services. We designed patterns and principles using iterative prototypes to validate a secure and user-friendly account aggregation experience for mobile. This led to major improvements in the core system and a significant increase in the number of accounts added.
The account data enabled cross-platform tools for financial wellness guidance, accessible to various groups. Additionally, a scalable app distribution model was built for diverse workplace settings and plan sizes. These tested design patterns and service components drove enterprise conversations and sales.
Financial Services | London 2018
Design thinking applied
Workshops were held in Central London with top UK asset managers to shape a digital investor platform through collaborative workshops and rapid prototypes – establishing healthy relationships and pilot partners.
The rapid prototypes and shared systems understanding enabled mass-customized digital experiences. The collaborative work influenced a user-centered architecture and innovations using Open Banking and Verify UK. The digital investor platform is paying dividends today.
Open Tapestry | San Francisco and London 2016
ETF models using blockchain
Open Tapestry made it easy and inexpensive to contribute small and large amounts into ETF models, leveraging proof-of-existence technology.
Prototypes of mobile experiences and platform elements were pitched to VCs in San Francisco for the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) Innovation Sandbox in London. Principles and concepts from Open Tapestry shaped today's platforms.
Financial Services | Kansas City 2014
Health savings investments
The HSA investor platform not only won innovation awards but also delivered a $500M increase in AUM for UMB in the first year. The platform and responsive framework were designed using a user-centered, iterative approach to be white-labeled and easily customizable for HSA providers looking to add an investment option.
Financial Services | Kansas City 2013
TreeSwing - Investing Set Free
TreeSwing connected new and emerging investors with professionally managed mutual funds. It was designed to fit the lifestyles of emerging investors, which tapped into a substantial underserved market.
A user-centric design approach focused on the lifestyles of emerging investors resulted in an award winning FinTech app at SXSW Interactive. The app featured rich push APIs delivering 90% engagement on Earth Day, “Want to put $3.65 into rotation?”
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My Approach: Design Thinking & Prototyping
Collaborative prototyping and learning – the core of the Prototype Learn approach.
Design is inherently a learning activity.
Therefore, anyone trying to solve a design problem in business, healthcare, finance, or education must be prepared to learn.
Aesthetics matter
Evidence shows people perform tasks better with visually appealing and well-designed interfaces.
Read ArticleMitigating emotion in decisions
There are emotional forces working against our logical efforts. Loss aversion refers to the tendency to avoid losses over acquiring gains.
Read ArticleDesign systems need conventions
Dev teams are empowered to deliver better software and prototypes at a faster rate - but still need design oversight.
Read Article03
About
Education, experience and expertise
My high school art teacher sparked my love for design, and I've been building websites since college. I have a graduate degree from the University of Kansas and completed an innovation program at MIT. These experiences solidified my belief in using design thinking and rapid prototyping to bridge the gap between business goals and user needs – which led me to establish my consultancy, Prototype Learn.
I help companies understand their customers better by using design thinking. In other words, I help businesses turn insights into solutions that make people happy.
God has blessed my career and provided the freedom to work remotely since 2013, even from Kansas to London! I enjoy using my gifts and talents to give back, so I often volunteer for schools and non-profits.
My goal, both personally and through Prototype Learn, is to help businesses grow and create amazing experiences through design. I've worked on everything from logos and websites to global wealth management platforms.
When I'm not designing, you can find me spending time with my family doing CrossFit, playing soccer, or riding my BMX bike.
Education
2022
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Fidelity Innovator Program
2015
The University of Kansas
MA, Interaction Design
2002
The University of Kansas
BA, Visual Communications
Experience
2018-Today
Prototype Learn, LLC
Founder | Design Consultant focused on design efficiencies through prototyping and collaborative learning.
Strategy
FinTech
Digital Media
Healthcare
2011-2023 | US + UK
Financial Services
Experience Design & Innovation Teams
FinTech
Product
Design
2003-2011 | Kansas City
Various Agencies
Digital Strategy, Design, and Art Direction
Design
Digital Media
Entertainment
Areas of Expertise
- Visual Communication (using prototypes)
- Systems Thinking and Design
- Research Synthesis and Strategy
- Human-Centered Product Innovation
- Remote Collaboration & Facilitation
Simplicity Thesis
Justin Powell's MA Interaction Design (IxD) Thesis from the University of Kansas entitled “Reducing Complexity in Software Product Design with Prototypes for Improved User Experience and Market Fit”.
Prototype Learn, LLC
Prototype Learn is my consulting practice that supports product teams and entrepreneurs who need design efficiencies.
We design business and experience prototypes to facilitate learning from stakeholders and customers. This is a design-led approach that informs business decisions, supports product development and results in happier customers.