Client
BNP Paribas
Year
2016-2021
My Role
Principal UI Designer
Cortex FX, Rates & Algos
Cortex is BNP Paribas' integrated suite of advanced trading applications for FX, Rates, and Algorithmic trading. It offers comprehensive tools for strategy development, trade execution, and activity monitoring.
Combining market intelligence with robust execution and risk management features, Cortex enables traders and clients to capitalise on opportunities across global markets efficiently.
The Problem
Within CIB, the Cortex platform lacked a cohesive design system. Its outdated, inconsistent UI/UX led to inefficient workflows and potential errors.
Being predominantly developer-driven, the suite needed modernisation and a unified design language to scale across products and meet complex trading needs.
My Role
I collaborated with the team to drive Cortex's UI/UX evolution, implementing modern design standards. Working closely with developers, product owners, and traders to align our strategy with business goals.
Our lean agile approach embedded the product team as an IT function. Working directly with traders to add features, and maintain operations, that boost efficiency and reduce errors.
We implemented a 6-step design process:
01.
Empathise
Conducted extensive user research and workshops with traders, coupling their insights with product and business requirements to understand their needs, pain points and aspirations.
02.
Define
Identified the lack of a cohesive design system and outdated UI/UX as key problems, leading to inefficient workflows and potential errors in the complex trading environment.
03.
Ideate
Our team organised company-wide workshops to introduce UX/UI principles and foster collective understanding, generating valuable insights that directly informed our design solutions.
04.
Prototype
Developed new charting tools, streamlined order process systems, and customisable interfaces for each Cortex product focusing on improved data visualisation and efficient trade management.
05.
Test
Through our lean agile approach, I worked directly with traders to iteratively test and refine our designs, ensuring they met user needs and improved efficiency, while adhering to brand.
06.
Implement
Implemented redesigned features in phases, collaborating with developers. This enabled real-world testing and iterations based on user feedback, ensuring a smooth transition.
Existing Technology
Cortex's reliance on Microsoft Silverlight, despite initially providing rich interactivity, posed challenges due to declining browser support.
This necessitated a shift to modern web technologies like HTML5. Simultaneously, planned company-wide brand changes needed integration across Cortex applications.
Building User Trust
Numerous interviews and workshops were conducted to address needs and share knowledge. The interactive sessions enhanced designer-user relationships, revealed key issues, and provided insights that shaped our approach to strategy.
Analysis
Employing a range of research techniques, including task mapping, information architecture development, and use case analysis, to create comprehensive workflow artifacts.
Continuing with wireframes and screen workflows, progressing to low and then high-fidelity UI screens.
This user-centric approach, driven by continuous stakeholder feedback, loops ensured our designs evolved effectively throughout the product lifecycle.
Cortex FX
For Cortex FX, we focused on creating a more intuitive interface for multi-product FX trading. The redesign included a streamlined order management system, enhanced market analytics visualisation, and improved access to real-time pricing across various currency pairs.
We implemented a modular design approach, allowing traders to customise their workspace while maintaining consistency across the platform.
Cortex ALiX
ALiX, the AI-powered digital trading assistant, required a design that packed powerful functionality into a compact interface. Leveraging advanced NLP capabilities, ALiX interprets complex trading queries and provides real-time market insights.
The interface, enhanced by machine learning algorithms, is optimised for both desktop and mobile use, ensuring traders can access critical information and execute trades from anywhere.
Cortex iX
We reimagined the algorithmic trading interface to provide more control and transparency to users.
The design featured customisable algorithm parameters, real-time performance monitoring, and enhanced visual feedback on trade execution.
We also integrated a more intuitive workflow for strategy creation and backtesting.
Recognition
Cortex earned industry accolades for its innovations, particularly ALiX, the market's first virtual trading assistant. ALiX's Natural Language Processing, coupled with Cortex FX's advanced features, demonstrated our commitment to client needs.
These awards validated our successful fusion of cutting-edge technology with user-centric design, setting new industry standards.
Outcomes
The Cortex suite transformation for FX, Rates, and Algorithmic trading launched successfully on time and budget, enhancing functionality and user experience.
Our key innovation, ALiX, an AI-driven digital trading assistant, offered an Alexa-like experience for financial markets. The Cortex redesign, powered by generative AI algorithms, boosted platform efficiency by 23%, growing BNP Paribas' electronic trading market share.
With machines now handling more than 75% of the trading in some FX markets, we led industry trends as early AI adopters. The Cortex redesign's automation features cemented BNP Paribas' position as financial FX technology innovators
