TrueCost
Anti-Dark Pattern Fintech Widget
A browser extension/web-based checkout simulation that intervenes during "impulse buy" moments, visualizing the real cost of BNPL decisions in terms of long-term financial goals.
Challenge
Design a value-sensitive intervention that helps young adults visualize the real cost of Buy Now, Pay Later decisions without being paternalistic.
Outcome
A working prototype demonstrating "reformed marketer" thinking, using code to protect user wellbeing rather than exploit it.
My Role
End-to-end design & development: Research, UI/UX, Frontend coding
The Problem Space
BNPL services like Klarna and Afterpay have exploded among Gen Z users. While marketed as "interest-free," these services obscure risk and exploit impulse buying psychology. Standard "Buy in 4" buttons use dark patterns, reducing friction to increase conversion at the cost of user financial wellbeing. In Marketing, I learned these techniques. Now I wanted to design against them.
Design Approach
Value Sensitive Design (VSD) guided this project. Rather than removing choice, I focused on "informed consent", helping users understand implications before deciding. The key insight: people don't need to be told "no," they need to see consequences visualized in personally meaningful terms.
The Intervention
When users click "Pay in 4," a modal appears showing a data visualization: "If you invest this $200 instead, here is its value in 5 years." Users can also opt for a "Cool Down" timer, a gentle nudge introducing healthy friction.
Technical Implementation
Built with React for the checkout simulation, Chart.js for investment growth visualization, and vanilla JavaScript for the compound interest calculator. Designed for potential expansion as a browser extension.
Reflection
"In Marketing, I learned how to reduce friction to increase sales. For this project, I used my coding skills to reintroduce friction to increase user wellbeing. I moved from maximizing ROI to maximizing user agency."
Key Learnings
- 1Value Sensitive Design offers a framework for ethical intervention
- 2Dark patterns work because they're invisible, making consequences visible changes behavior
- 3Technical skills amplify design impact when used intentionally