At Alaan, we believe that great design isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about creating meaningful, intuitive, and delightful experiences that solve real problems for our users. Our mobile app has always been the cornerstone of our platform, empowering our users to submit, track, manage expenses and help businesses achieve their financial goals.
But as our user base exploded, incremental fixes weren’t enough anymore. We needed a ground-up rethink. That’s why a redesign wasn’t just desired, it was non-negotiable. This wasn’t just going to be a cosmetic refresh. We wanted to commit to a unified design system that could scale faster, roll out features in weeks not months, keep costs down and use smoother flows to cut down user support requests. It was time to build an app that felt as intuitive as the best consumer apps, and make Alaan not just a tool, but the platform CFOs and employees love to use.
This is a story of how we turned challenges into opportunities to deliver the best-in-class experience to our users, through our mobile app, here’s how we approached it.
1. A unified, scalable design system
We built a robust design system from the ground up, ensuring consistency across every screen and interaction. This system not only makes the app feel cohesive but also allows us to add new features seamlessly in the future. Every button, icon, and text field adheres to the same principles, creating a familiar and intuitive experience.
2. Enhanced UI & visual design with faster, smoother interactions
We focused on creating a modern, visually appealing design that reflects the professionalism and innovation of Alaan. With cleaner layouts, better typography, and a thoughtful use of colors and icons, the app now feels more polished and delightful. The redesign emphasizes clarity and simplicity, ensuring users can find what they need at a glance.
We optimized performance and interaction design to minimize friction at every touchpoint. From faster load times to smoother transitions between screens, users can now accomplish tasks with less frustration. Common actions like submitting an expense, attaching receipts or approving transactions are more fluid and natural than ever.
3. Streamlined user flows
From submitting expenses to managing cards, we reduced unnecessary steps and organized information into groups more intuitively, thereby making it faster and easier for users to accomplish their tasks with clear guidance at every step.
4. Cross-platform harmony
We prioritized alignment between our web and mobile platforms. Now, whether users are on their desktop or phone, the experience feels seamless and consistent. This parity reduces the learning curve and builds trust, as users know what to expect no matter where they access Alaan.
5. Designing for delight
We designed the app to delight users at every turn. From friendly empty states that guide users, to contextual error messages when things go off track along with illustrations. Smart tooltips provide subtle guidance exactly when it’s needed, while gentle sounds and haptic feedback enhance interactions, making the app feel personal and satisfying.
6. Pixel-perfect execution
Every detail matters to us. We obsessed over typography, spacing, and alignment to ensure the app feels polished and professional. Buttons are perfectly sized for tapping, text is easy to read, and transitions are smooth. When design is flawless, users don’t notice it, they truly experience it.
Final thoughts
Design isn’t just a nice-to-have for us, it’s a core value.
Our users are busy professionals who need tools that work as hard as they do. A well-designed app saves time, reduces stress, and helps users focus on what matters most.
This redesign wasn't just about the app, it’s about our vision for the future. It’s a statement of who we are and what we stand for: a company that puts users first, values design as a strategic advantage, and is committed to continuous improvement.
As we look ahead, we’re excited to build on this foundation, exploring new ways to innovate and delight our users. Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about design for design’s sake. It’s about creating experiences that empower, inspire, and bring joy to our users.
The journey to redesigning the Alaan mobile app was challenging, but it was also incredibly rewarding. By listening to our users, embracing best practices, and staying true to our values, we hope we’ve created an app that not only solves problems but also sparks joy.
