Jar of Coins: Gamifying Savings with Interactive Animation

Overview Jar of Coins is a microinteraction designed to rethink how we visualize savings. Instead of focusing only on deliberate saving actions, this concept highlights the real wins that come from not spending. The goal: make financial progress feel simple, visual, and emotionally rewarding.

Challenge Most budgeting apps rely on static graphs and numbers to represent savings. While functional, these formats fail to keep users motivated over time. The challenge was to design a microinteraction that turns restraint into reward, making every decision to not spend feel meaningful.

Solution I built an interactive coin jar animation using Rive + JavaScript data binding:

Every time the user saves (or avoids a purchase), coins drop into the jar.

If goals aren’t met, the jar empties, cobwebs appear, and a skull icon reflects missed opportunities.

These animations create immediate emotional feedback, transforming savings into a tangible, gamified experience.

Designed & animated in Rive

Implemented with Vanilla JavaScript (no frameworks)

Real-time updates through data binding

Impact This project demonstrates how motion design and interactivity can drive user motivation in fintech products. By visualizing progress in a way that feels alive, the Jar of Coins keeps users engaged and consistent with their goals. I help brands and startups bring their apps to life with engaging Rive animations. If you want interactions like this for your product, let’s connect.