Rockwool & Pie VAT

Role: Lead designer

Rockwool calculator project

The challange:

• Streamline the design of all Rockwool calculators
• Create a design system for a consistent look
• Integrate everything with the new website

Research and Workshops

• Research all existing calculators
• Facilitate workshops to define the project and problem

Wireframes & Prototypes

• Use the U-value calculator as a template
• Set it as the foundation for all calculators

Design input from client

• Received rough design sketches from Rockwool
• Translated them into the new design system

Design system

• Translated the design sketches into the new design system using the popular Atomic Design system.

Original calculator

• A version of one of the original U-Value calculators
• Navigation is not very intuitive
• The design is inconsistent and takes multiple directions

The solution

• Simplified the user experience with a step-by-step process to reduce cognitive load.
• Presented only necessary information at each stage to keep the interface clear.
• Improved usability with a consistent design language that prioritized ease of use.
• Enabled scalability, making it easier to add future calculators while maintaining a cohesive experience.

Handover to development

• Handover to the development team with detailed documentation.
• Provided an explanation of the user flow.
• Included the design system to ensure smooth implementation.
• With these resources, the development team is ready to proceed
  

Summing up

• We succeeded in designing a simpler, easier-to-use calculator and created three versions to ensure the concept works across different calculators.
• An overall design system was completed, now being used for both calculators and their different websites.
• The challenge with large organizations is that the building process is often time-consuming, and we have yet to see if the product works in practice.

Pie VAT

A Silicon Valley startup with a team of four people. Scandinavia was an ideal, small market to launch in.

The challange:

• The challenge is creating a seamless process for non-EU tourists to reclaim VAT on EU purchases.
• Eliminating the need for lengthy forms, airport queues, and manual checks can be difficult to implement efficiently.
• Ensuring that tourists can complete the VAT refund process easily through the app requires a smooth, user-friendly design.

How the platform works

• Shop owners use the Pie VAT platform to record sales and generate a QR code for customers.
• Customers scan the QR code with the Pie VAT app and upload photos of their receipt, boarding pass, and passport.
• The VAT refund is processed automatically and sent to the customer after a set period.

Wireframes

• The design process started with rough wireframes drawn on paper during the first week.
• Quickly transitioned to designing, keeping the process fast and simple.
• The approach was not very detailed or thorough but focused on speed and efficiency.
  

Design exploration

• Design exploration is an early step in the design process to test different ideas.
• It helps develop a design that matches the desired tone and style.
• The goal is to create a design that aligns with the solution and project needs.

Design concept

• Adding personality to an app with mostly UI components can be challenging.
• Icons, illustrations, and categories were key areas where it was possible to bring identity.
  
• The app illustrated the fun and easy tax-free experience offered by Pie VAT.
• Vibrant colors, dynamic shapes, and category illustrations made the app stand out.
• This concept was applied across all Pie VAT projects, creating a coherent and recognizable brand.

UI components

• I succeeded in using a UI library to create a consistent app, even without a specific design system.
• A bright red call-to-action color reinforced the vibrant, lively, and fun design approach.

Handover to development

"Hey, have a look at this!"

The platform from the shop owner's perspective

• Shop owners have their own platform to create orders for VAT return items.
• The platform also provides an overview of sales and the amount of the return they will receive.

Summing up

• Successfully built a highly functional app that is widely used today.
• Pie VAT expanded to the Nordic region and Japan, showing its scalability.
• The app both works effectively and has an appealing design, achieving great results.