Franklin Templeton

Digital Briefcase

Role

Staff Product Designer

Timeline

November 2023 - January 2024

Tools

Figma, FigJam, Xcode, Notion

Deliverables

Client focus feature, Responsive UI updates, Design system ops, Page templates, Component checklist.

Overview

This collaboration with Geniant, CI&T and Franklin Templeton was a short term project that required dynamic design support for a global product launch. Geniant, the company that hired me, was responsible for the experience design, CI&T managed code development and Franklin Templeton managed overall product direction. My role  supported the design lead in producing production ready assets for experience updates, supporting new feature experiences through user flows, design system management  and prototypes to demonstrate alignment with user needs.

Cutting Through the Noise

Designing for Efficiency in Franklin Templeton’s Global Product Launch

The Franklin Templeton Briefcase app was preparing for a global launch, and with multiple teams driving different aspects of the product—Geniant leading experience design, CI&T managing development, and Franklin Templeton steering product strategy—alignment was critical.

My role? To bring clarity and efficiency to an evolving product experience, ensuring associates could access the right information at the right time—seamlessly.

The Challenge

Navigating Complexity in a High-Stakes Environment

Franklin Templeton’s Briefcase app was designed to be a centralized hub for associates, allowing them to store and access vast amounts of financial documents. But as the app grew, so did its complexity.

The biggest pain point? Associates struggled to find the right documents quickly in client meetings. They often found themselves sifting through hundreds of files, trying to locate the information they needed—all while maintaining a professional and composed demeanor in front of their clients.

That’s when I focused on solving for clarity, speed, and control—starting with a key enhancement: Client Focus Mode.

Client Focus

Cutting Through the Information Overload

To ensure associates could quickly access only what was relevant, I designed Client Focus Mode—a feature that allowed them to pre-select firms they wanted to focus on before a meeting. Instead of wading through an endless list of files, they could now toggle a simple filter and instantly surface the documents they needed.

✅ Streamlined Workflow Efficiency – Associates could now pre-select firms they needed to focus on, ensuring a distraction-free interface during meetings.


✅ Enhanced Client Engagement – With unnecessary documents hidden, associates could confidently share their screens without the risk of exposing irrelevant or sensitive information.


✅ Reduced Cognitive Load – Even beyond meetings, this feature became essential for preparation, allowing associates to organize their materials efficiently.

To make Client Focus Mode even more powerful, I worked on revamping the app’s Settings feature. The goal was to put associates in full control of their workspace, making it easier to customize their firm display and folder queue.

I Introduced:

  • Editable firm selection, allowing associates to update their focus list effortlessly.

  • A structured, intuitive interface that kept interactions simple and efficient.

  • Improved organization tools, so users could fine-tune their workspace for maximum productivity.

By optimizing the Settings experience, I ensured Client Focus Mode felt seamless—not just a feature, but an integrated part of the workflow.

Building a Smarter Settings Experience

As we introduced new features, I had to ensure they integrated seamlessly into Franklin Templeton’s design system. Managing a design system at this scale meant balancing consistency, flexibility, and scalability.

✅ New UI Components – I introduced dynamic filtering modules, interactive dropdowns, and responsive elements to maintain design integrity across devices.


✅ Scalability Enhancements – Each component was rigorously tested to ensure it worked across different firm structures and user needs.


✅ Expanded UI Assets – Updates included new icons, sidebar structures, page menus, and document preview enhancements, ensuring a cohesive visual language.

Originally built for the 11-inch iPad Pro, the Briefcase app needed adjustments to support the 13-inch model. This wasn’t just a matter of resizing—it required thoughtful design decisions to maintain usability across both devices.

  • Refined page templates to adapt fluidly to both screen sizes.

  • Optimized UI spacing and component scaling to maintain a consistent experience.

  • Ensured touch targets and interactions remained seamless regardless of device.

This allowed Franklin Templeton associates to transition smoothly between devices, without feeling a difference in usability.

Breaking Free from iOS Dependencies

One of the biggest technical challenges was decoupling Franklin Templeton’s design system from iOS’s native UI components. Over time, reliance on iOS assets had introduced inconsistencies, making it difficult to maintain a unified design language.

  • Refined page templates to adapt fluidly to both screen sizes.

  • Optimized UI spacing and component scaling to maintain a consistent experience.

  • Ensured touch targets and interactions remained seamless regardless of device.

Component Checklist

To sustain the improvements, I developed a structured component checklist, documenting clear guidelines for updating and maintaining UI assets. This ensured that:

  • Refined page templates to adapt fluidly to both screen sizes.

  • Optimized UI spacing and component scaling to maintain a consistent experience.

  • Ensured touch targets and interactions remained seamless regardless of device.

Design System

Scaling For The Future

Responsive Updates

Designing For Multiple Devices

Final Thoughts

Designing for Clarity, Efficiency, and Scalability

Reflecting on this project, the impact of thoughtful UX design was undeniable. My contributions to the Client Focus Mode and Settings revamp directly addressed user frustrations, reduced cognitive load, and improved meeting efficiency. At the same time, my work on scaling the design system ensured that these improvements weren’t just short-term fixes, but long-term solutions.

Ultimately, this experience reinforced a key lesson: the best design solutions don’t just solve problems—they empower users to work smarter, faster, and with confidence.