Trading Explorations
Trading Explorations
Different problems, explored in depth
Different problems, explored in depth
Different problems, explored in depth
Four standalone projects from tastytrade. Each focuses on a different product question and is honest about what the evidence did and did not support
Across six months and several releases, I worked on experiments to improve what candidates saw and could do after applying
tastytrade · Product design + research · 2024–2026
tastytrade · Product design + research · 2024–2026
tastytrade · Product design + research · 2024–2026
Role
Role
Product Designer
Product Designer
Scope
Scope
Interaction concepts, product improvements, UI explorations
Interaction concepts, product improvements, UI explorations
Formats
Formats
Prototypes, shipped features and speculative concepts
Prototypes, shipped features and speculative concepts
Surfaces
Surfaces
iOS, web, system UI
iOS, web, system UI
Period
Period
2024–2026
2024–2026
ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT IA
ACCOUNT MANAGEMENT IA
01 Reorganising Account Management around customer intent
01 Reorganising Account Management around customer intent
The first signal came from Support. Customers were contacting Support because they could not find where to enable additional trading products.
The first signal came from Support. Customers were contacting Support because they could not find where to enable additional trading products.
I wanted to know whether customers were struggling with one workflow or with how Account Management was organised more broadly.
I wanted to know whether customers were struggling with one workflow or with how Account Management was organised more broadly.
Test the current structure first
Test the current structure first
Before changing anything, I mapped the existing Account Management hierarchy.
Before changing anything, I mapped the existing Account Management hierarchy.
The Account Management hierarchy used in the baseline study
The Account Management hierarchy used in the baseline study
With the current structure mapped, I used it as the baseline for an unmoderated study in Maze.
With the current structure mapped, I used it as the baseline for an unmoderated study in Maze.
The study received 26 responses and combined five tasks in a tree test with a card sort. The tree test showed whether participants could find representative account actions, while the card sort helped me see which actions they associated with one another.
The study received 26 responses and combined five tasks in a tree test with a card sort. The tree test showed whether participants could find representative account actions, while the card sort helped me see which actions they associated with one another.
Enable Futures Trading
Enable Futures Trading
Trading Preferences
44%
Investor
22%
Internal Transfers
17%
The chart shows the intended destination and the two most common alternatives
The chart shows the intended destination and the two most common alternatives
The baseline showed the problem
The baseline showed the problem
One task asked participants where they would enable futures trading. Only 44% selected Trading Preferences, the intended parent category. Another 22% chose Investor and 17% went to Internal Transfers.
One task asked participants where they would enable futures trading. Only 44% selected Trading Preferences, the intended parent category. Another 22% chose Investor and 17% went to Internal Transfers.
The wrong answers were split between Investor and Internal Transfers. That suggested this was more than one misplaced setting: participants could not reliably predict where trading permissions belonged.
The wrong answers were split between Investor and Internal Transfers. That suggested this was more than one misplaced setting: participants could not reliably predict where trading permissions belonged.
From the baseline to a revised hierarchy
From the baseline to a revised hierarchy
The failed paths and the card sort pointed to the same issue: broad containers such as “My accounts” and “My profile” gave participants little indication of what belonged inside them.
The failed paths and the card sort pointed to the same issue: broad containers such as “My accounts” and “My profile” gave participants little indication of what belonged inside them.
I replaced them with more explicit domains including Money, Documents and Trading Products. Statements and confirmations moved under Documents, while access to additional trading products moved under Trading Products.
I replaced them with more explicit domains including Money, Documents and Trading Products. Statements and confirmations moved under Documents, while access to additional trading products moved under Trading Products.
BASELINE HIERARCHYREVISED HIERARCHY
This compares the original hierarchy with the version I designed after the first study. I collapsed the individual destinations to keep the focus on the structure
Baseline
Baseline
Tested
Test the revised direction
Test the revised direction
I ran a second unmoderated tree test with an independent participant group.
I ran a second unmoderated tree test with an independent participant group.
The second study repeated the five baseline tasks and added three based on other findability problems we had seen across the platform. Only the repeated tasks were used to compare the two hierarchies.
The second study repeated the five baseline tasks and added three based on other findability problems we had seen across the platform. Only the repeated tasks were used to compare the two hierarchies.
Second study · 20 responses
Second study · 20 responses
Enable Futures Trading
You want to trade futures, but your account isn’t enabled? Where can you activate this capability?
Original navigation
Trading Pref
44%
Investor
22%
Internal Transfers
17%
Revised navigation
Manage Products
79%
Stock Lending
5%
Dividend Reinvest
5%
Task 1/5
Enable Futures Trading
You’ve decided to add futures to your portfolio, but your account is not currently enabled to trade it. Where would you go to activate this capability?
Original navigation
DESTINATION AGREEMENT
Trading Preferences
44%
Investor
22%
Internal Transfers
17%
Revised navigation
DESTINATION AGREEMENT
Manage Products
79%
Stock Lending
5%
Dividend Reinvesting
5%
Task 1/5
The carousel compares the five tasks included in both rounds. Each chart shows the intended destination and the most common alternatives, rather than every recorded response
The carousel compares the five tasks included in both rounds. Each chart shows the intended destination and the most common alternatives, rather than every recorded response
What I took from the study
What I took from the study
Agreement for enabling Futures rose from 44% to 79%. The other four repeated tasks moved in the same direction.
Agreement for enabling Futures rose from 44% to 79%. The other four repeated tasks moved in the same direction.
With 26 responses in the first study and 20 in the second, I cared more about that consistency than about the exact percentage changes. It was enough to keep developing the revised hierarchy, but not enough to claim that the whole information architecture worked.
With 26 responses in the first study and 20 in the second, I cared more about that consistency than about the exact percentage changes. It was enough to keep developing the revised hierarchy, but not enough to claim that the whole information architecture worked.
The studies used different participant groups, and I changed the labels and structure at the same time, so I could not isolate which change caused the result. The study also stopped at the top level. I would still need to test individual destinations, complete workflows and whether the redesign reduced Support contacts.
The studies used different participant groups, and I changed the labels and structure at the same time, so I could not isolate which change caused the result. The study also stopped at the top level. I would still need to test individual destinations, complete workflows and whether the redesign reduced Support contacts.
REGULATORY COMMUNICATION
REGULATORY COMMUNICATION
02 Designing a communication system for account restrictions
02 Designing a communication system for account restrictions
Customers often learned about a restriction in an email, away from the trade that caused it, or only after an order was blocked. The message rarely explained what had happened or what to do next.
Customers often learned about a restriction in an email, away from the trade that caused it, or only after an order was blocked. The message rarely explained what had happened or what to do next.
View original messages
I started with PDT warnings. Tracing them across the platform, email and the Help Center led me to eight other account states with the same problem.
I started with PDT warnings. Tracing them across the platform, email and the Help Center led me to eight other account states with the same problem.
I mapped all nine by their trigger, impact and next step. This showed what the messages could share and where they needed to differ.
I mapped all nine by their trigger, impact and next step. This showed what the messages could share and where they needed to differ.
Account state
Applies to
Impact
PDT Warning
Margin account
Another trade may trigger a restriction
Good Faith Violation
Cash account
Violation added to the account
Day Trade Call
Margin account
Buying power may be reduced
Closing Only
Account or product
New positions cannot be opened
Account state
Applies to
Impact
Next step
PDT Warning
Margin account
Another trade may trigger a restriction
Avoid another day trade
Good Faith Violation
Cash account
Violation added to the account
Cannot be reversed
Day Trade Call
Margin account
Buying power may be reduced
Meet the call by its deadline
Closing Only
Account or product
New positions cannot be opened
Depends on the underlying cause
Account state
Applies to
Trigger
Impact
Next step
PDT Warning
Margin account
Nears the day-trade limit
Another trade may trigger a restriction
Avoid another day trade
Good Faith Violation
Cash account
A position bought with unsettled proceeds is sold
Violation added to the account
Cannot be reversed
Day Trade Call
Margin account
Day-trade buying power is exceeded
Buying power may be reduced
Meet the call by its deadline
Closing Only
Account or product
A violation, overdue call or review
New positions cannot be opened
Depends on the underlying cause
Four representative states are shown by default. Expand the map to see all nine states included in the review
Four representative states are shown by default. Expand the map to see all nine states included in the review
Find what the rules did not answer
Find what the rules did not answer
I did not have direct access to Support conversations, so I searched r/tastytrade and r/tastyworks by restriction name. Across more than 200 public threads, the same questions kept returning even when the account states differed.
I did not have direct access to Support conversations, so I searched r/tastytrade and r/tastyworks by restriction name. Across more than 200 public threads, the same questions kept returning even when the account states differed.
What happened to my account?
What happened to my account?
“I am confused by what closing-only transactions mean.”
What activity caused it?
What activity caused it?
“It would only say that I was being margin called, but not what was causing it.”
What can and can’t I do now?
What can and can’t I do now?
“I literally can’t trade unless it’s lifted.”
Can I resolve it?
Can I resolve it?
“I’m trying to find out if this restriction applies if I open a second account under the same profile.”
How long will it last?
How long will it last?
“When is the PDT rule being lifted?”
How do I avoid it next time?
How do I avoid it next time?
“Would be nice if the system stopped you from going over.”
Representative excerpts from public discussions in r/tastytrade and r/tastyworks. I used them to identify repeated questions, not to measure how common each problem was
Representative excerpts from public discussions in r/tastytrade and r/tastyworks. I used them to identify repeated questions, not to measure how common each problem was
Turn recurring questions into modules
Turn recurring questions into modules
I turned the six recurring questions into reusable communication modules. Each state uses only the modules it needs. Its trigger, impact and available actions determine what comes first.
I turned the six recurring questions into reusable communication modules. Each state uses only the modules it needs. Its trigger, impact and available actions determine what comes first.
Customer question
Communication module
What happened to my account?
Summary
What activity caused it?
Evidence
What can and can’t I do now?
Impact
Can I resolve it?
Resolution
When do I need to act, or when will it end?
Timing
How can I avoid it next time?
Prevention
The modules remain consistent, while their selection and order change with the account state
The modules remain consistent, while their selection and order change with the account state
One system, five scenarios
One system, five scenarios
I applied the structure to five account states with different triggers, consequences and available actions.
I applied the structure to five account states with different triggers, consequences and available actions.
The left side shows the state, its context and the modules selected. The right shows the message those decisions produce.
The left side shows the state, its context and the modules selected. The right shows the message those decisions produce.
Pattern Day Trader Warning
You opened and closed 50 SPY. This was your third day trade
What counted as a day trade?
Bought to open 50 SPY
Sep 11 · 10:24 AM
Sold to close 50 SPY
Sep 11 · 2:37 PM
How to avoid account restrictions
• Wait until Sep 18. One day trade will become available
• Deposit $13,450 to bring your account equity to the $25,000 PDT requirement
• Hold your next position overnight
• Open a cash account. PDT rules do not apply, but cash settlement rules still do
What happens if I make another day trade?
One more day trade before Sep 18 will place this account in Closing Only. You won’t be able to open new positions until the PDT requirement is met
Learn about PDT rules
Close
PDT Warning
SCENARIO 1/5
Summary
Evidence
Impact
Prevention
Timing
Resolution
SCENARIO 1/5
PDT Warning
MODULES
Summary
Evidence
Impact
Prevention
Timing
Resolution
Pattern Day Trader Warning
You opened and closed 50 SPY. This was your third day trade
What counted as a day trade?
Bought to open 50 SPY
Order #123842194
Sep 11 · 10:24 AM
Sold to close 50 SPY
Order #123842195
Sep 11 · 2:37 PM
How to avoid account restrictions
• Wait until Sep 18. One day trade will become available
• Deposit $13,450 to bring your account equity to the $25,000 PDT requirement
• Hold your next position overnight
• Open a cash account. PDT rules do not apply, but cash settlement rules still do
What happens if I make another day trade?
One more day trade before Sep 18 will place this account in Closing Only. You won’t be able to open new positions until the PDT requirement is met
Learn about PDT rules
Close
SCENARIO 1/5
PDT Warning
01 TRIGGER
Third day trade completed
02 CONTEXT
3/3 day trades · Reset Sep 18
03 MODULES
Summary
Evidence
Impact
Prevention
Timing
Resolution
Pattern Day Trader Warning
You opened and closed 50 SPY. This was your third day trade
What counted as a day trade?
Bought to open 50 SPY
Order #123842194
Sep 11 · 10:24 AM
Sold to close 50 SPY
Order #123842195
Sep 11 · 2:37 PM
How to avoid account restrictions
• Wait until Sep 18. One day trade will become available
• Deposit $13,450 to bring your account equity to the $25,000 PDT requirement
• Hold your next position overnight
• Open a cash account. PDT rules do not apply, but cash settlement rules still do
What happens if I make another day trade?
One more day trade before Sep 18 will place this account in Closing Only. You won’t be able to open new positions until the PDT requirement is met
Learn about PDT rules
Close
The structure stays consistent without forcing every state into the same content or hierarchy
The structure stays consistent without forcing every state into the same content or hierarchy
Put the explanation back into trading
Put the explanation back into trading
Email could still carry the complete regulatory guidance, but it should not be the only place where a customer could understand a restriction.
Email could still carry the complete regulatory guidance, but it should not be the only place where a customer could understand a restriction.
I put the immediate explanation in the trading platform, tied to the relevant activity and next steps. It opens only when needed rather than taking permanent space in an already dense interface.
I put the immediate explanation in the trading platform, tied to the relevant activity and next steps. It opens only when needed rather than taking permanent space in an already dense interface.
Good Faith Violation explanation shown inside the trading platform
Good Faith Violation explanation shown inside the trading platform
Design outcome
Design outcome
Instead of treating every restriction as a separate copy problem, I ended with one structure for all nine states. The account state supplies the trigger, context and available actions. The modules supply the explanation.
Instead of treating every restriction as a separate copy problem, I ended with one structure for all nine states. The account state supplies the trigger, context and available actions. The modules supply the explanation.
The content and its order can change without inventing a new message structure each time.
The content and its order can change without inventing a new message structure each time.
What this work does not prove
What this work does not prove
Clearer communication cannot change the regulation or make every restriction reversible. Some outcomes still depend on eligibility, account data, Compliance or Support.
Clearer communication cannot change the regulation or make every restriction reversible. Some outcomes still depend on eligibility, account data, Compliance or Support.
I also did not test whether the system reduced Support contacts or helped customers resolve restrictions faster. That would require testing the messages in the trading context and tracking what customers contacted Support about afterwards.
I also did not test whether the system reduced Support contacts or helped customers resolve restrictions faster. That would require testing the messages in the trading context and tracking what customers contacted Support about afterwards.
LIVE ACTIVITY CONCEPT
LIVE ACTIVITY CONCEPT
03 iPad Live Activity for trading
03 iPad Live Activity for trading
When Live Activities came to iPad, I explored whether an active order could remain useful after the trader left the app.
When Live Activities came to iPad, I explored whether an active order could remain useful after the trader left the app.
I explored several possibilities, including active orders, open positions and portfolio-level monitoring. Active orders felt like the strongest starting point.
I explored several possibilities, including active orders, open positions and portfolio-level monitoring. Active orders felt like the strongest starting point.
Rather than shrink the full order ticket into a card, I focused on one question: is the market moving towards the trader’s price? The scale adapts to different order types and follows changes in state, such as a stop-limit order switching from its stop to its limit price.
Rather than shrink the full order ticket into a card, I focused on one question: is the market moving towards the trader’s price? The scale adapts to different order types and follows changes in state, such as a stop-limit order switching from its stop to its limit price.
RIOT
Working
Order #4212212731
BTO
0/1000 Shares
Market
Open
Limit $9.20
Current ask $10.77
Choose a scenario
CURRENT ASK
$10.77
LIMIT PRICE
$9.20
RIOT
Working
Order #4212212731
BTO
0/1000 Shares
Market
Open
Limit $9.20
Current ask $10.77
Live order lab
Choose a scenario
Market Open
ORDER MONITOR
READY
RIOT
NASDAQ · STOCK
BTO · 1,000
CURRENT ASK
$10.77
LIMIT PRICE
$9.20
RIOT
Working
Order #4212212731
BTO
0/1000 Shares
Market
Open
Limit $9.20
Current ask $10.77
Live order lab
Choose a scenario
Market Open
ORDER MONITOR
READY
RIOT
NASDAQ · STOCK
BTO · 1,000
CURRENT ASK
$10.77
LIMIT PRICE
$9.20
The simulator represents one part of a wider exploration that also covered bracket orders, positions and portfolio-level monitoring
The simulator represents one part of a wider exploration that also covered bracket orders, positions and portfolio-level monitoring
Why I recommended stopping
Why I recommended stopping
The interaction worked, but I became less convinced by the problem it was solving.
The interaction worked, but I became less convinced by the problem it was solving.
Fast orders often completed before the Live Activity became useful. Push notifications already covered the outcome, and anything more complicated still required opening the app. In many cases, we would have been rebuilding information that traders already had elsewhere.
Fast orders often completed before the Live Activity became useful. Push notifications already covered the outcome, and anything more complicated still required opening the app. In many cases, we would have been rebuilding information that traders already had elsewhere.
After reviewing the concept with the UX Manager and Mobile Tech Lead, I recommended that we stop. We agreed that its limited additional value did not justify creating another trading surface to build and maintain.
After reviewing the concept with the UX Manager and Mobile Tech Lead, I recommended that we stop. We agreed that its limited additional value did not justify creating another trading surface to build and maintain.
