OrderMonster is a cutting edge AI-based solution that streamlines invoice and PO management processes by using OCR technology. I led the team's design efforts, focusing on creating an experience that was both optimal for a tech-adverse user base and could scale alongside future lines of business.
Challenge
When I joined OrderMonster, the startup was in its early stages with a clear mission: automate invoice and PO tracking for small brick-and-mortar retailers using OCR technology. The team had identified a significant pain point in the industry—manual tracking processes were time-consuming and error-prone, costing business owners valuable hours each week.
My Role
As the lead product designer, I oversaw the entire design process, from user research to final product launch. My responsibilities included:
Conducting user research and interviews
Developing user personas and journey maps
Designing wireframes and interactive prototypes
Conducting usability testing and iterative design improvements
Collaborating with the engineering team for implementation
Research & Discovery
The design process began with comprehensive research to understand the pain points of our target audience—Gen X and Boomer business owners who often struggle with manual invoice and PO tracking. This phase involved:
User Interviews: Conducted in-depth interviews with potential users to gather qualitative insights about their current processes, challenges, and expectations from an automated solution.
User Journey Mapping: Mapped out the user journeys to identify key touchpoints and areas where automation could significantly improve efficiency.
Creating User Personas: Developed detailed personas representing the diverse needs and behaviors of our users, which guided design decisions throughout the project.
Benchmarking & Ideation
With user insights in hand, I benchmarked existing products leveraging OCR technology, focusing on intuitive workflows. TurboTax emerged as a key reference for its document uploading and review process, influencing our design patterns.
Design References: Curated examples of successful products and documented intuitive aspects of their workflows.
Brand Identity: Developed a simple and approachable brand identity, featuring a friendly blue mascot that resonated with our tech-averse target audience.
Wireframing & Prototyping
Moving from ideation to execution, I created wireframes to communicate design concepts and gather feedback from stakeholders.
Wireframes: Developed low-fidelity wireframes to visualize the product layout and key functionalities.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Worked closely with product managers and engineers to align on the project scope and design feasibility.
Interactive Prototype: Built an interactive prototype for user testing purposes, allowing us to gather early feedback and iterate on the design.
User Testing & Iteration
User testing was a critical phase in refining the product based on real user feedback.
Usability Testing: Conducted multiple rounds of usability testing with potential users to identify pain points and gather actionable insights.
Iterative Design: Updated the designs iteratively, addressing user feedback and improving the overall user experience.
High-Fidelity Designs: Transitioned to high-fidelity designs, incorporating visual and interaction design elements that ensured a polished and professional product look.
Conclusion
The iterative design process led to the development of a product that significantly resonated with our target audience, saving users over 20 hours of manual effort weekly. Despite the startup ultimately closing due to feasibility issues with available OCR technology and a smaller-than-expected TAM, the user experience garnered significant praise from those who used the service. Our product achieved PMF, receiving positive testimonials and word-of-mouth referrals.
