RHEA
AI Companion for Wealth Transfer UX
FCAT SPONSORED PROJECT
RHEA
Rhea is an AI companion designed to help clients feel more confident and informed during financial advisory interactions. Financial planning can be overwhelming, especially during periods of wealth transfer, where users are often faced with complex information and high-stakes decisions.
Rhea initializes the shared meeting space, providing a common view while maintaining private perspectives for both client and advisor.
FOCUS
UX Research
Experience Design
User Journey Mapping
Interaction Design
Prototyping
CREDIT
KAI HELMS
AISHA RAJA
KIMAYA CHOUGULE
THE CHALLENGE
Wealth transfer and financial interactions come with a host of complex, emotionally charged, and difficult to navigate barriers. Younger clients frequently feel overwhelmed by information, uncertain about next steps, and unsupported outside of scheduled meetings. This lack of continuity amplifies lack of confidence and ultimately leads to users only passively engaging when they should be leading the process.
THE INSIGHTS
Clients don’t want (or fully trust) AI to replace human advisors. Instead they prefer support that gives clarity while retaining privacy without judgement. By offering guidance before meetings, visualizations during conversations, and continuity afterward, an AI companion can reduce cognitive load and empower users to engage more confidently in these critical financial moments such as periods of wealth transfer.
DESIGN DIRECTION
Based on user research and emotional journey mapping, the experience was designed around three core principles
Reduce Decision Paralysis
Financial decisions often feel overwhelming and high-stakes especially for younger adults. Rhea prioritizes clarity by surfacing relevant information at the right moment and helping users break complex choices into manageable steps without pressure.
​Lower Communication Fear & Barriers
​Users frequently hesitate to ask questions or articulate what matters to them. Rhea acts as a conversational support layer. Translating jargon, prompting reflection, and helping clients express priorities confidently during meetings.
​Support Without Replacing Human Trust
Rather than replacing the advisor, Rhea is designed to enhance human connection. The system provides subtle, context-aware guidance that supports both client and advisor while preserving trust, agency, and shared understanding.
These principles guided how Rhea behaves before, during, and after advisor meetings
FINAL SCREENS
The complete interaction flow, including transitions and extended states, is demonstrated in the scenario video above.
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Rhea initializes the shared meeting space, providing a common view while maintaining private perspectives for both client and advisor.
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As the conversation begins, Rhea offers subtle reassurance to Abigail while capturing key discussion points for the advisor in real time.
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Based on the current conversation, Rhea visualizes potential paths, allowing a tangible view without disrupting the conversation.
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As the advisor speaks about an aggressive approach, Rhea highlights the path while checking in with Abigail, ensuring this is what she wants before moving forward.