Strikes is a modern web and mobile application that simplifies the complex world of options trading for everyday investors. Unlike traditional brokerage platforms that often overwhelm users with technical jargon and cluttered interfaces, Strikes focuses on delivering a clean, intuitive experience that makes options trading accessible, transparent, and engaging.
Built for both novice and seasoned traders, Strikes streamlines the process of exploring, executing, and managing options contracts. It offers a clear presentation of strike prices, expiry dates, and risk/reward profiles, all packaged in an approachable, visually balanced interface inspired by modern trading apps like Robinhood. The app’s ultimate goal is to remove the intimidation factor from options trading, making it as straightforward as buying a stock.
Design Approach
The design of Strikes merges financial data density with consumer app simplicity. Leveraging a minimal, card-based layout, the interface balances information hierarchy and readability, ensuring that complex market data is digestible at a glance. A bold yet calming color palette supports both light and dark modes, enhancing contrast without creating visual fatigue during extended trading sessions.
Typography follows a modern, sans-serif system to ensure clarity in numerical and textual data, while key interactive elements use subtle animations and micro-interactions to communicate feedback. Charts and contract details are displayed in a modular grid, allowing users to drill down for more information without losing context. Inspired by Robinhood’s frictionless flow, trade execution screens are clean, with large, tappable action buttons and clear confirmation states.
Problem
Options trading offers tremendous potential for investors, but it’s often locked behind steep learning curves, dense interfaces, and intimidating jargon. Many brokerage platforms overwhelm users with data tables, cryptic symbols, and overly complex trade execution flows.
Insight
User research revealed two distinct needs: newcomers wanted in-flow guidance without leaving the trade screen, while experienced traders prioritized speed and a minimal number of clicks. Both groups valued visual risk/reward summaries over raw numerical data.
Solution
Strikes was designed to make options trading as intuitive as buying or selling a stock on consumer-friendly platforms like Robinhood. My design approach focused on three pillars: clarity, confidence, and speed.
Research & Competitor Analysis
I began by reviewing leading trading platforms, including Robinhood, E*TRADE, and Thinkorswim, to identify strengths and pain points. While some excelled in data depth, they often struggled with clarity and onboarding for less experienced traders. I also noted how consumer fintech apps use micro-interactions and progressive disclosure to maintain simplicity without sacrificing power. I also analyzed popular trading apps among younger investors to understand what resonates with Gen Z and younger millennials. These platforms lean heavily on clean UI, playful micro-interactions, and simplified flows. However, when it came to options trading, I noticed a gap:
The complexity of strike prices, expiry dates, and risk/reward remained intimidating.
Most apps still defaulted to dense, data-first layouts that alienated first-time options traders.
Educational resources were often buried in separate help sections, disconnected from the trading context.
Data-heavy screens lacked clear hierarchy, forcing users to scan large tables to find relevant contract details.
User Goals IdentifiedUnderstand options contracts without prior technical expertise.
Make trade decisions quickly with minimal distraction.
Confirm the risk/reward profile before committing to a trade.
Access market insights and educational content in context.
Impact & Outcome
By rethinking the options trading experience, Strikes enables more users to participate confidently in a market segment that has historically been opaque and intimidating. The simplified UI lowers the cognitive load for new traders while maintaining the depth of data that experienced users need. As a result, Strikes doesn’t just make options trading easier, it makes it more engaging and accessible, empowering users to explore and execute trades with confidence.
