design system creation, user flows, competitive analysisChallenge: How might we make owner-operator truck drivers receipt submission effortless for truck drivers on the road so ATBS can manage tax season more efficiently?
Truckers spend countless hours on the road, accumulating receipts for fuel, maintenance, and other business expenses. The existing process of manually tracking and submitting these receipts was cumbersome, time-consuming, and prone to errors. ATBS, a leading provider of tax and accounting services for owner-operator truck drivers, needed to digitize their receipt submission system so they weren’t overwhelmed during tax season with (literal) shoeboxes of receipts.
As the UX Designer for this project, I was responsible for:
User research
Information architecture and user flow mapping
Wireframing and prototyping
Visual design and interaction patterns
Usability testing and iteration
Financial services app design / Trucking industry mobile app / Tax services app UX / Professional services mobile design
Research & Discovery
Understanding the Users
Through stakeholder interviews and user research, I identified key pain points:
Time Constraints: Truckers have limited downtime and need quick, efficient solutions
Physical Receipt Management: Paper receipts get lost, damaged, or forgotten
Tax Compliance: Missing receipts mean lost deductions and potential audit issues
Technology Adoption: Varying levels of digital literacy among users
Competitive Analysis
I analyzed competing solutions in the market, identifying opportunities where ATBS could differentiate:
Ease of Use: Most competitors had complex interfaces not optimized for on-the-go use
Speed: Existing apps required multiple steps to capture and categorize receipts
Integration: Limited connectivity with accounting and tax preparation services
Design Process
1. Information Architecture & User Journey
Key Insight: Truckers need a solution that works as fast as they do - minimal steps, maximum efficiency.
I mapped out the user journey focusing on three core workflows:
Quick Capture: Scan receipts immediately after purchase
Batch Processing: Upload multiple receipts during rest periods
Review & Export: Easy access for tax preparation
2. Wireframing & Concept Development
The wireframes show my iterative approach to simplifying the receipt capture process:
Launch to Success Flow:
Minimalist onboarding with clear value proposition
Single-tap access to camera functionality
Smart categorization with minimal user input
Instant confirmation and cloud backup
Key Design Decisions:
Bottom navigation: Easy thumb access while holding phone
Large touch targets: Accommodates use while wearing gloves
Minimal text entry: Leverages OCR and smart defaults
Visual feedback: Clear success states and progress indicators
Visual Design
3. Visual Design
Design System Highlights:
Color Palette: High contrast for outdoor visibility
Typography: Large, readable fonts optimized for quick scanning
Icons: Simple, universally understood imagery
Dark Mode: Essential for night driving conditions
Usability Testing
We took to the road to test our prototype. Quite literally. Myself and a couple teammates all woke up early to make the drive across Michigan to meet up at a truck stop near Detroit.
Our client was able to schedule participants for a 30 minute usability test as they were on their routes. After some frantic printing, a last-minute sourcing of an extra long power cable, and some final tweaks - we were ready. The insights? Guiding.
Many participants (6/8) typically thought about their paperwork and receipts at night, and they doubted the app could take quality photos at night.
Many participants conduct their small day-to-day admin tasks in the cabin of their trucks - a cramped situation at best.
A little under half (3/8) participants already used an app (CamScanner) to digitize some of their documents, but exporting and sending from the phone was too much of a pain for regular use.
Final Experience
Onboarding Experience
The streamlined onboarding focuses on immediate value delivery:
Skip lengthy tutorials - learn by doing
Progressive disclosure of advanced features
Contextual tips during first use
Receipt Capture Flow
Optimized for speed and accuracy:
Scan: Auto-capture when receipt is detected
Confirm: Quick visual verification
Categorize: Smart suggestions with override option
Save: Automatic cloud sync with offline queue
Dashboard Design
At-a-glance insights that matter:
YTD deduction totals
Quick access to recent uploads
Simple but powerful per diem tracker