Creating a fun way to learn about money
Moolah
Graphic Design
•
User Research
•
Play Testing
•
Game Design
•
Graphic Design • User Research • Play Testing • Game Design •
Problem
Traditional classroom education is limited by rigid curriculums, leaving little room for real-world, practical financial learning. 70% of New Zealand schools teach financial literacy, yet only 19% of students feel they are learning from it.
My role
Designed and developed Moolah, an educational card game aimed at teaching financial literacy to young New Zealanders (ages 14–25).
Led the entire product development process, from game mechanics and prototyping to visual design and user/play testing. Refining the game through 12+ iterations using a Design Thinking approach.
Result
From my research and play testing, I found that:
95% of players who started with high-risk strategies would adjust their after a few games of play. Reverting to a more cautious approach by thinking ahead (saving, investing with consideration, holding cash in the bank for unexpected situations, etc).
Early feedback and observation suggest that repeat play of Moolah builds better financial decision-making during play.
Players 16+ who participated in five games or more were able to provide a basic understanding of concepts such as dividends, interest, debt, and investments.
