Solving the "Slowness" of Real Estate: A Strategic Deep Dive with Whale’s Lead Product Designer

In the world of FinTech, it’s easy to get lost in numbers, interest rates, and APIs. But at Whale, we believe that the most powerful financial tools are the ones that are designed for people first.

Recently, our Lead Product Designer, Zack White (formerly of Boston Consulting Group), sat down with UX Collective for an in-depth interview on the challenges of reinventing the security deposit. The conversation (which you can read here) offers a rare look at the design philosophy that makes Whale work for both institutional landlords and everyday renters.

Designing for a "Stubborn" Industry

One of the most candid moments in the interview is Zack’s discussion on the "slow" nature of the real estate industry. Property management is an industry set in its ways, often relying on legacy processes simply because "that’s how it’s always been done."

Zack explains that the design challenge at Whale isn’t just about making a pretty app; it’s about demonstrating value instantly.

• For Landlords: The design focus is on removing friction—making the platform so intuitive that "you don't have to lift a pen, a paper, or a finger" to manage deposits.
• For Renters: The goal is clarity. We are turning a stressful move-in expense into a transparent, high-yield savings account that earns up to 3% interest.

The "Zero to One" Mindset

Zack’s background at BCG—building everything from AI chatbots for L’Oréal to banking platforms for Amex—has been instrumental in Whale’s "Zero to One" journey. He describes his role at Whale as a 50/50 split between strategic leadership and hands-on design.

This means every button, every workflow, and every integration is designed with a specific business goal in mind: How do we make the "Win-Win" model undeniable?

Leveraging AI as a "Thought Partner"

Interestingly, the interview explores how Whale uses AI behind the scenes. Zack shares that he uses AI as a "thought partner" to explore edge cases and user requirements, ensuring that our product is robust enough to handle the complexities of the national rental market. This commitment to using cutting-edge tools ensures that Whale remains at the forefront of the PropTech revolution.

Read the full interview on UX Collective

Our Take: Design is Our Competitive Advantage

At Whale, we don't view design as just "the way it looks." We view it as the way it works. By hiring world-class talent like Zack, we ensure that our platform isn't just a financial tool—it’s a seamless experience that builds trust between landlords and tenants.

As Zack notes in the interview, "Curiosity and a willingness to throw everything away to find a better solution" is what makes a great designer. That same spirit is what drives Whale to throw away the outdated "escrow check" model and build something that actually works for the 21st century.