Interview
Interview
Interview
Interview
Leading the No.1 Service with
Leading the No.1 Service with
Leading the No.1 Service with
Leading the No.1 Service with
Design and UX,
Design and UX,
Design and UX,
Design and UX,
Creating Meaningful Experiences
Creating Meaningful Experiences
Creating Meaningful Experiences
Creating Meaningful Experiences
Fintech Division — UI/UX Designer
Fintech Division — UI/UX Designer
Fintech Division — UI/UX Designer
Judee Ayumi Yoshino
Judee Ayumi Yoshino
Judee Ayumi Yoshino
Profile
Profile
She joined the company as a new graduate in 2019. After working on the launch of a new business for foreign talent recruitment, she pursued her goal of becoming a designer by attending design school. In 2020, she took charge of UI/UX design for Smiles. In 2021, the Smiles app received the Good Design Award. Appointed Head of UX Design in 2022, she has also been involved in business expansion at the Indonesia branch since 2024.
She joined the company as a new graduate in 2019. After working on the launch of a new business for foreign talent recruitment, she pursued her goal of becoming a designer by attending design school. In 2020, she took charge of UI/UX design for Smiles. In 2021, the Smiles app received the Good Design Award. Appointed Head of UX Design in 2022, she has also been involved in business expansion at the Indonesia branch since 2024.
She joined the company as a new graduate in 2019. After working on the launch of a new business for foreign talent recruitment, she pursued her goal of becoming a designer by attending design school. In 2020, she took charge of UI/UX design for Smiles. In 2021, the Smiles app received the Good Design Award. Appointed Head of UX Design in 2022, she has also been involved in business expansion at the Indonesia branch since 2024.
With a user-centered design philosophy,
bringing comfort and warmth to the remittance experience.
With a user-centered design philosophy,
bringing comfort and warmth to the remittance experience.
With a user-centered design philosophy,
bringing comfort and warmth to the remittance experience.
With a user-centered design philosophy,
bringing comfort and warmth to the remittance experience.
── Could you tell us about the projects or services you are currently working on?”
── Could you tell us about the projects or services you are currently working on?”
Currently, I am responsible for the UI/UX design of the Smiles app. Since 2024, I have also relocated to Indonesia, where I have been involved in launching the local branch and expanding its business. My work includes improving products to suit the Indonesian market as well as building and strengthening the local team structure.
Currently, I am responsible for the UI/UX design of the Smiles app. Since 2024, I have also relocated to Indonesia, where I have been involved in launching the local branch and expanding its business. My work includes improving products to suit the Indonesian market as well as building and strengthening the local team structure.
── When expressing the unique identity of Smiles through UI/UX, what do you focus on?
── When expressing the unique identity of Smiles through UI/UX, what do you focus on?
Smiles is an international remittance app designed to support migrant workers who work far from home and send money to their families and loved ones.
As a remittance app that stands close to its users, we focus on the keywords “family,” “connection,” and “warmth.” To further differentiate ourselves from other companies—where many financial apps often have a stiff and formal design—we incorporate our mascot character to bring out a sense of friendliness and humor in the design.
Smiles is an international remittance app designed to support migrant workers who work far from home and send money to their families and loved ones.
As a remittance app that stands close to its users, we focus on the keywords “family,” “connection,” and “warmth.” To further differentiate ourselves from other companies—where many financial apps often have a stiff and formal design—we incorporate our mascot character to bring out a sense of friendliness and humor in the design.
── In developing the Smiles Remittance app, what aspects did you focus on the most?
── In developing the Smiles Remittance app, what aspects did you focus on the most?
As an international remittance app that supports migrant workers, our focus is on creating an experience that eases the “pain of spending” even just a little.
For example, instead of simply showing a standard message like “Thank you for your remittance” on the completion screen, we designed it to display encouraging words or supportive messages for our hardworking users, such as “Thank you for your hard work—leave the rest to Smiles” or “You’re wonderful for bringing smiles to your loved ones.” These messages appear randomly, so that even during a simple operation, users can feel a reminder that “I am someone’s source of support.” We place great importance on delivering that kind of experience.
As an international remittance app that supports migrant workers, our focus is on creating an experience that eases the “pain of spending” even just a little.
For example, instead of simply showing a standard message like “Thank you for your remittance” on the completion screen, we designed it to display encouraging words or supportive messages for our hardworking users, such as “Thank you for your hard work—leave the rest to Smiles” or “You’re wonderful for bringing smiles to your loved ones.” These messages appear randomly, so that even during a simple operation, users can feel a reminder that “I am someone’s source of support.” We place great importance on delivering that kind of experience.
Turning diverse perspectives into value
and building quality products
Turning diverse perspectives into value
and building quality products
Turning diverse perspectives into value
and building quality products
Turning diverse perspectives into value
and building quality products
── Could you share some opportunities you’ve had to hear users’ feedback, and examples of how that feedback has led to design improvements?
── Could you share some opportunities you’ve had to hear users’ feedback, and examples of how that feedback has led to design improvements?
In addition to working closely with customer support and checking feedback on social media, we also observe user interactions on-site during events to carefully identify their needs and challenges. For example, in response to feedback such as “It’s difficult to find the right recipient every time because there are so many,” we introduced a “Favorites” feature. This allows frequently used recipients to be displayed on the home screen at all times, enabling one-tap transfers. This improvement not only enhanced usability but also created a design that helps users feel a stronger sense of “connection” with their loved ones.
In addition to working closely with customer support and checking feedback on social media, we also observe user interactions on-site during events to carefully identify their needs and challenges. For example, in response to feedback such as “It’s difficult to find the right recipient every time because there are so many,” we introduced a “Favorites” feature. This allows frequently used recipients to be displayed on the home screen at all times, enabling one-tap transfers. This improvement not only enhanced usability but also created a design that helps users feel a stronger sense of “connection” with their loved ones.
── What do you consider important when working with other roles, such as engineers or project managers?
── What do you consider important when working with other roles, such as engineers or project managers?
I make it a point to understand the different workflows of each member’s role and conduct repeated hearings. This way, I can design not only with my own scope of work in mind but also with consideration for the overall product and operational impact.
Even when working with team members from different backgrounds and areas of expertise, I value the mindset of collaborating toward the same goal and share ideas in a way that makes the design intent easy to understand. By respecting technical constraints and approaching tasks flexibly, we are able to build trust, teamwork, and strong product development.
I make it a point to understand the different workflows of each member’s role and conduct repeated hearings. This way, I can design not only with my own scope of work in mind but also with consideration for the overall product and operational impact.
Even when working with team members from different backgrounds and areas of expertise, I value the mindset of collaborating toward the same goal and share ideas in a way that makes the design intent easy to understand. By respecting technical constraints and approaching tasks flexibly, we are able to build trust, teamwork, and strong product development.
── Do you have any initiatives such as sharing design knowledge or holding study sessions?
── Do you have any initiatives such as sharing design knowledge or holding study sessions?
We hold a weekly regular meeting within the design team to share recent updates, UI ideas under consideration, and examples of good and bad designs or experiences we’ve come across in daily life. We also engage in “fieldwork”-style activities, where we experience high-quality services firsthand and use those insights as learning opportunities for design.
We hold a weekly regular meeting within the design team to share recent updates, UI ideas under consideration, and examples of good and bad designs or experiences we’ve come across in daily life. We also engage in “fieldwork”-style activities, where we experience high-quality services firsthand and use those insights as learning opportunities for design.
── How do you feel about the freedom and flexibility of work styles (such as remote work and working hours)?
── How do you feel about the freedom and flexibility of work styles (such as remote work and working hours)?
Because we have a flexible environment that allows remote work and flextime, I can work in a way that fits my lifestyle and the times when I can best focus. It also makes it easier to balance with my work at the Indonesia office. I’m grateful for an environment where I can create value without being restricted by location or time.
Because we have a flexible environment that allows remote work and flextime, I can work in a way that fits my lifestyle and the times when I can best focus. It also makes it easier to balance with my work at the Indonesia office. I’m grateful for an environment where I can create value without being restricted by location or time.
Employee Interviews
Employee Interviews
Employee Interviews
Employee Interviews
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