You parked. Walked to the meter. Forgot your license plate. And now it’s pouring. Welcome to public parking.

Role
Interaction Designer & Researcher
Timeline
July-August 2025 (5 Weeks)
Impact
40% faster task completion
0/5 error rate in final testing

The Memory Trap

Field Research

Forcing drivers to memorize 7-character license plates turns every parking attempt into an unnecessary memory test. Through field observations at meters and lots paired with five user interviews, I mapped the real drop-offs: users like Lola avoided digital barriers entirely and wanted human clarity, while users like Alex needed an instant tap with a reliable fallback when tech failed.

Ideation & Sensor:

The Tech Gate

Mandatory parking apps alienate anyone who just wants to pay and walk away. Using SCAMPER, I rethought the entire transaction: swapping tedious license plate entry for intuitive spot numbers, and replacing stressful time-guessing with an automatic, ground-sensor Pay-As-You-Go system.

Validation & Refinement:

The Weather

Glossy screens disappear in direct sun and blinding rain. I resolved this with an anti-glare, high-contrast display and moved Pay-As-You-Go upfront to eliminate misclicks in bad weather, adding an SMS shortcut so drivers could extend time without returning to the storm.

The Solution

An anti-glare display and simplified spot tracking with flexible, app-free payment options, automatic ground-sensor termination, and friction-free remote extensions—all while protecting user privacy by default.

“I want to pay and extend remotely knowing I won’t get a ticket. I don’t want to go back to the meter.”

Alex

29, Commuter

Pay-As-You-Go (Card)

Prepaid (Cash/Card)

Choose How to Pay
Users tap a phone or insert a card to start a session.
Or they choose a set time and pay with card or cash. No app required.
Session In Progress
Automatic, ends when the car leaves. If prepaid, users receive a receipt with a link to extend remotely.
Session Ends
The system charges only for the time used. There’s no need to return to the meter. Users receive optional confirmation via text, email, or print.

Every decision in this system maps to a real need someone had while standing at a kiosk in the rain. This is not a smarter parking meter. It’s a more human one.

Check out my other work:

You parked. Walked to the meter. Forgot your license plate. And now it’s pouring. Welcome to public parking.

Role
Interaction Designer & Researcher
Timeline
July-August 2025 (5 Weeks)
Impact
40% faster task completion
0/5 error rate in final testing

Field Research: The Memory Trap

Forcing drivers to memorize 7-character license plates turns every parking attempt into an unnecessary memory test. Through field observations at meters and lots paired with five user interviews, I mapped the real drop-offs: users like Lola avoided digital barriers entirely and wanted human clarity, while users like Alex needed an instant tap with a reliable fallback when tech failed.

Ideation & Sensor: The Tech Gate

Mandatory parking apps alienate anyone who just wants to pay and walk away. Using SCAMPER, I rethought the entire transaction: swapping tedious license plate entry for intuitive spot numbers, and replacing stressful time-guessing with an automatic, ground-sensor Pay-As-You-Go system.

Validation & Refinement: The Weather

Glossy screens disappear in direct sun and blinding rain. I resolved this with an anti-glare, high-contrast display and moved Pay-As-You-Go upfront to eliminate misclicks in bad weather, adding an SMS shortcut so drivers could extend time without returning to the storm.

The Solution

An anti-glare display and simplified spot tracking with flexible, app-free payment options, automatic ground-sensor termination, and friction-free remote extensions—all while protecting user privacy by default.

“I want to pay and extend remotely knowing I won’t get a ticket. I don’t want to go back to the meter.”

Alex

29, Commuter

Pay-As-You-Go (Card)

Prepaid (Cash/Card)

Choose How to Pay
Users tap a phone or insert a card to start a session.
Or they choose a set time and pay with card or cash. No app required.
Session In Progress
Automatic, ends when the car leaves. If prepaid, users receive a receipt with a link to extend remotely.
Session Ends
The system charges only for the time used. There’s no need to return to the meter. Users receive optional confirmation via text, email, or print.

Every decision in this system maps to a real need someone had while standing at a kiosk in the rain. This is not a smarter parking meter. It’s a more human one.

Check out my other work:

You parked. Walked to the meter. Forgot your license plate. And now it’s pouring. Welcome to public parking.

Role
Interaction Designer & Researcher
Timeline
July-August 2025 (5 Weeks)
Impact
40% faster task completion
0/5 error rate in final testing

Field Research:The Memory Trap

Forcing drivers to memorize 7-character license plates turns every parking attempt into an unnecessary memory test. Through field observations at meters and lots paired with five user interviews, I mapped the real drop-offs: users like Lola avoided digital barriers entirely and wanted human clarity, while users like Alex needed an instant tap with a reliable fallback when tech failed.

Ideation & Sensor:

The Tech Gate

Mandatory parking apps alienate anyone who just wants to pay and walk away. Using SCAMPER, I rethought the entire transaction: swapping tedious license plate entry for intuitive spot numbers, and replacing stressful time-guessing with an automatic, ground-sensor Pay-As-You-Go system.

Validation & Refinement:

The Weather

Glossy screens disappear in direct sun and blinding rain. I resolved this with an anti-glare, high-contrast display and moved Pay-As-You-Go upfront to eliminate misclicks in bad weather, adding an SMS shortcut so drivers could extend time without returning to the storm.

The Solution

An anti-glare display and simplified spot tracking with flexible, app-free payment options, automatic ground-sensor termination, and friction-free remote extensions—all while protecting user privacy by default.

“I want to pay and extend remotely knowing I won’t get a ticket. I don’t want to go back to the meter.”

Alex

29, Commuter

Pay-As-You-Go (Card)

Prepaid (Cash/Card)

Choose How to Pay
Users tap a phone or insert a card to start a session.
Or they choose a set time and pay with card or cash. No app required.
Session In Progress
Automatic, ends when the car leaves. If prepaid, users receive a receipt with a link to extend remotely.
Session Ends
The system charges only for the time used. There’s no need to return to the meter. Users receive optional confirmation via text, email, or print.

Every decision in this system maps to a real need someone had while standing at a kiosk in the rain. This is not a smarter parking meter. It’s a more human one.

Role

Timeline

Impact

The Solution

“I want to pay and extend remotely knowing I won’t get a ticket. I don’t want to go back to the meter.”

Choose How to Pay

Session In Progress

Session Ends

Every decision in this system maps to a real need someone had while standing at a kiosk in the rain. This is not a smarter parking meter. It’s a more human one.

Role

Timeline

Impact

The Solution

“I want to pay and extend remotely knowing I won’t get a ticket. I don’t want to go back to the meter.”

Choose How to Pay

Session In Progress

Session Ends

Every decision in this system maps to a real need someone had while standing at a kiosk in the rain. This is not a smarter parking meter. It’s a more human one.

Role

Timeline

Impact

The Solution

“I want to pay and extend remotely knowing I won’t get a ticket. I don’t want to go back to the meter.”

Choose How to Pay

Session In Progress

Session Ends

Every decision in this system maps to a real need someone had while standing at a kiosk in the rain. This is not a smarter parking meter. It’s a more human one.