Savings Engine

Capital One identified the Mass Affluent segment — consumers with significant investable assets but not yet at the wealth management tier — as both underserved and strategically valuable.

The Savings Engine project was a multi-phased research and design initiative to understand that segment's financial behavior, uncover unmet savings needs, and design a savings goal experience that could capture their loyalty. As Lead Designer embedded in a dedicated research team, I led the design work across synthesis through prototype testing and design execution. Working alongside business strategy, consumer insights, and project management — rather than a traditional product design team — the engagement operated closer to brand and market research than conventional UX practice.

The complete UX process documentation for this engagement lives at the direct link below.

Read the complete case study

  • Consumer Bank's existing savings products weren't resonating with the Mass Affluent segment — a growing customer group with distinct financial goals, higher expectations, and real alternatives. The business problem was both a product gap and a strategic opportunity: build a savings experience compelling enough to deepen Mass Affluent relationships with Capital One before competitors did. Without it, the bank risked losing a high-value segment to fintech challengers better aligned with their needs.

    • Daryle M. // Lead Designer

    • Amanda D. // Senior Business Manager

    • Chris A. // Project Manager

    • Gerald B. // Manager, Consumer Insights

  • Led a multi-phased research and design process across three targeted geographic markets. Conducted 15 in-home empathy interviews with Mass Affluent prospects and customers to surface deep behavioral and attitudinal insights about saving, spending, and financial goals. Synthesized findings into design concepts, then tested those concepts through 12 prototype-testing interviews to validate assumptions and refine direction. Facilitated ideation sessions with 25 Capital One bank associates to incorporate frontline insight into the product vision. Translated the full research arc into a savings goal experience designed for the specific motivations and habits of the Mass Affluent segment.

  • The Savings Engine concept delivered a research-grounded, intuitive auto-savings tool tailored to the Mass Affluent segment — addressing a strategic gap in Capital One's consumer product portfolio. The engagement held high-impact potential for customer acquisition, loyalty, and deepened banking relationships within a high-value segment.

  • The ability to translate complex problems into ultra-intuitive, elegant solutions

    "One of Daryle’s standout strengths is his ability to simplify complex problems and translate them into ultra-intuitive, elegant solutions. He demonstrated this by taking a predominantly paperwork, owner-to-renter process and transformed it into a mobile-first experience. He also brings a deep understanding of accessible design and was instrumental in guiding both our design and engineering teams toward building inclusive components that serve a broad range of users."

    — Ben Richard, Product Design Leader

  • An obvious passion for the user-centered design process

    "Daryle is an exceptional UX professional with a keen eye for detail and an obvious passion for the user-centered design process. He has demonstrated a consistent ability to influence product strategy by leveraging data and insights, along with a natural ability to clearly articulate the rationale behind his decision-making. I have no doubt that Daryle's experience will help elevate any design/product team and I am thankful for the opportunity to have worked with him."

    — Dion Alexander, Product Design Consultant

  • Thinks about the entire 360 of his work

    "Daryle is a superb human being, kind, funny and caring. He brings those qualities, plus his incredible design skills, to his work day in and day out. Daryle thinks about the entire 360 of his work, from the impact his designs have on engineering to how the end user will experience them. He took the lead on accessibility for our team, continually sharing valuable guidance with designers and others in a way that was easy to understand and act on. On top of all that, he always has a smile and a music recommendation (probably someone you’ve never even heard of) at the ready."

    — Sara Womack, UX Writer & Content Strategist

  • The first designer I've worked with who was interested in the data behind the designs

    "Daryle is a very skilled designer who devotes a lot of time working with engineers and other designers to build sophisticated UI. He was involved with several projects I worked on, and I couldn't get over just how many designs he created that covered every aspect of the feature. His designs are clean and very pleasing to the eye. I appreciated that he was always available to answer questions whenever needed. He was also the first designer I've worked with who was interested in the data behind the designs. Highly recommended!"

    — Marty Miller, Senior Android Developer

  • Valiantly represents the customer throughout the product experience

    "I had the pleasure of working with someone that was both a brilliant designer and friend. Daryle and I collaborated for over a year across various projects and building out our design system. Daryle is incredible at providing thoughtful feedback, and I was most stricken by how valiantly he could represent the customer throughout the product experience. His positive attitude will be missed, but I look forward to following his impeccable DJ holiday sets. I highly recommend Daryle if you need a great design lead!"

    — Chije Wangati, Senior Product Designer