what if AI could make trading simple and less overwhelming?
User Research
Along with my own trading experience as a beginner, I conducted interviews with 10 peers (6 active retail traders, 4 who recently started investing). These participants were from my immediate network of college friends and colleagues who trade part-time. I also observed discussions in Reddit forums and Telegram trading groups to broaden the perspective.
Siddharth · Casual Investor
I wish there was one space that showed
what matters, not everything at once.
Maya · Intermediate Trader
Even after 2 years, I still rely on friends’
tips more than my own judgment.
Ananya · Beginner Trader
Every time my stock dips, I panic-sell.
I hate feeling so reactive.
Rohan · Active Trader
I’m constantly juggling between 4
apps just to stay updated.
KEY INSIGHTS
78%
Feel overwhelmed by technical charts and terminology.
64%
Use 3–5 apps daily to track markets, portfolios, and news.
72%
Hesitate to act due to fear of loss or overthinking.
68%
Trust peer opinions over their own analysis.
81%
Want simplified explanations, not generic tips.
Core Problem
Traders don’t lack tools, they lack clarity.
CalmCharts focuses on building confidence through clear visualization, emotional support via AI insights, and a calm, single-screen experience that eliminates noise. Trading platforms overwhelm users with data instead of guiding them with insight, making investing stressful rather than empowering.
Ideation
When I started framing the problem, I didn’t jump into features. I began by asking the right questions. I filled my wall with post-its, each representing a frustration or possibility. Slowly, patterns began to emerge.
Journey Map
Journey maps outline how users interact with CalmCharts, from learning to trade to gaining confidence in AI-driven insights. They reveal user motivations, struggles, and emotional shifts, helping refine features that make trading simpler and more intuitive.
AI driven insights
To simplify trading for beginners and casual investors, CalmCharts integrates AI models that analyze trends and suggest potential actions in plain, non-technical language. The goal is to remove the intimidation of traditional trading dashboards. Users who want more control can customize the depth of analysis, from simple summaries to detailed charts.
Simplified Portfolio Tracking
Instead of overwhelming users with real-time noise, CalmCharts provides clean, digestible portfolio updates. Users can schedule daily or weekly summaries, reducing the constant urge to check performance. Reports designed like story patterns showing information in a structured way.
Contextual market news
The app filters relevant news tied to assets in a user’s portfolio or watchlist. By integrating reliable sources and AI-curated summaries, CalmCharts ensures users stay informed without drowning in information. Users can also explore sentiment analysis, which highlights how the market is reacting to trending topics.
What I learned
I learned that users want clarity over complexity, preferring simple insights and calm, well-timed summaries instead of constant updates. They value trust, curated news, and transparent AI explanations, making it important to keep the app focused and aligned with real user needs.
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©akshaimani, 2025. All rights reserved.
“When I started trading years ago, I remember how confusing everything felt and over time, I watched my friends go through the same struggle. That’s when I realized the real problem wasn’t trading itself, but how complex the tools had become. CalmCharts was my attempt to simplify that world."