Scotiabank Brand Redesign

Reimagining Scotiabank’s brand identity and customer-facing products to create a bold new design.

Timeline October 2023

Role Visual Designer

Tool Figma, Illustrator

Context

Revitalizing a legacy financial institution’s brand.

Financial Institutions have been held back by outdated brand designs, often due to a lack of incentive to prioritize an elevated user experience. These institutions are so ingrained in everyday life that investing in aesthetic redevelopment can seem less justifiable from a business standpoint. Through this project, I set out to envision a fresh brand design for the consumer-facing products of one of Canada’s leading financial institutions, Scotiabank. The goal was to deliver an improved user experience, enhance brand recognition, and foster a sense of loyalty among both current and prospective customers in an increasingly saturated industry.

Problem Space

A quickly saturating market.

As online banks proliferate and companies such as Apple, Tim Hortons, and Rogers venture into the financial sector, the traditional top four institutions face the risk of losing customers to corporations offering enhanced user experiences and contemporary visual designs.

Challenge

A brand redesign for the Scotiabank customer-facing products, allowing the adoption of a new visual design that would stand out, and contribute to a positive in user experiences.

Process

Research Summary

In this study, I delved into primary research to examine the approach to visual design adopted by leading financial institutions. Recognizing the importance of viewing these designs through the lens of a consumer rather than solely as a designer, I aimed to cultivate empathy for how individuals interact with various banking products. My primary research focused on exploring the design strategies employed by CIBC, RBC, and BMO in their consumer-facing products. Additionaly, I investigated the current layout of the Scotiabank monthly statement. By analyzing these examples, I aimed to gain insights into the fundamental principles of financial design.

RBC
The base-level RBC credit card adheres to a simplistic logo arrangement, devoid of any branding specific to the product being utilized. Placing the card number on the front raises security concerns, while the inclusion of a 3D rendition of the logo shield on the back adds visual depth. However, this design is marred by its forgettable nature, compounded by the absence of a product name, which hinders a seamless user experience

BMO
The BMO CashBack credit card appears somewhat lackluster and cluttered in its design. The gradient background effect feels out of place, and the haphazard alignment of scattered logos creates a disjointed visual experience. It falls short of instilling the brand attachment I had anticipated.

CIBC
The CIBC Dividend credit card sports a clean and straightforward design, prioritizing essential elements while incorporating a subtle gradient diamond effect in the backdrop. This design aptly showcases the fundamental purpose of a credit card. However, it may lack the distinctiveness necessary to leave a lasting impression on consumers.

Scotiabank Monthly Statement
The monthly statement from Scotiabank suffers from significant user experience flaws. Its lack of alignment and difficulty in locating crucial elements render it prone to becoming a considerable pain point in the user journey.

Design Principles

Bold

The new redesign should have a unique identity that is memorable and strengthens the existing brand.

Transparent

Use design elements that convey reliability and openness, reinforcing Scotiabank’s commitment to customer security and financial well-being.

Seamless

Ensure a cohesive and intuitive user experience across all digital platforms, making banking effortless and engaging for customers.

Final Design

A brand redesign for the Scotiabank customer-facing products, allowing the adoption of a new visual design that would stand out, and contribute to a positive in user experiences.

Large distinct font paired with a minimal design, allowing the card to feel like a membership to an elevated banking experiences, while allowing it to fade in the background and become a part of your day to day.

The Scotiabank Debit Card

The Scene Visa Card

The Gold Amex Card

The Passport Visa Infinite Card

These cards seamlessly integrate Scotiabank's bold Red, Black, and White colour palette, featuring a streamlined design that emphasizes the logo as the primary visual element. Straying from conventional clutter, they prioritize the main brand identity by eliminating unnecessary elements. The front displays only the essential Visa and Scene+ branding, while details such as the Name, Card Number, Security Number, Expiry Date, and Interac logos are relocated to the back. This strategic placement enhances security by reducing the risk of information theft.

The Monthly Statement

The monthly statement undergoes a complete redesign, featuring vibrant pops of colour and a clear hierarchy of information through improved typography.

The balance due now takes centre stage, prominently displayed in a large font for quick access to crucial details such as the amount due, due date, and statement period, eliminating the need to search through small text. Additionally, the statement provides a comprehensive breakdown of spending, minimum balance due, account number, and credit limit.

On the left side, a summary of Scene+ points informs users of their current points balance. Furthermore, the statement includes details of interest rates to aid in financial planning and decision-making.

Introducing the SmartPay Wheel, which presents various payment options, such as minimum amount, 25%, 50%, and 75% of the current balance, alongside the corresponding interest calculations. This feature simplifies calculations and enhances transparency between the institution and the customer, encouraging informed financial decisions.

The Welcome Package

The Envelope

The Welcome Document

The ScotiaCard

The Banking Manager Card

The Sticker

The refreshed brand identity now extends to the onboarding package, encompassing the envelope, welcome document, business cards, and even including a branded sticker within the package. This thoughtful addition enables customers to further connect with the brand on a personal level. As the initial physical product received from Scotiabank, it holds significant importance in establishing the brand's new image right from the start.

The Digital Space

The modern, minimal design also seamlessly transforms to digital spaces, such as your phone wallets, allowing for a consistent brand identity across mediums and elevates the user experience.

The Conclusion

This project emerged from a desire to inject a touch of excitement into banking while prioritizing genuine enhancements in user experience, ensuring customers face no hurdles when managing their finances. I firmly believe that necessities should be inherently user-friendly. Thus, I endeavoured to imbue a modern design ethos into banking solutions.

This design does not have to be limited to Scotiabank and can be adapted to other Canadian financial intitutions. Examples below.

The Process

Get an in-depth insight on my research and how I landed on the final designs.