Under the course topic sponsored by Fidelity Investments, we explored how to ease the gig workers’ problems that originated from having very little support in their “jobs of the job.” Our team designed a digital-physical experience that’s targeting the independent (i.e. indy) drivers’ financial issues.

The indy drivers, who drive on ride-share and delivery jobs, find it challenging to track and document their deductible expenses, especially when most of them work across multiple platforms. The solution aims at helping them track deductions effortlessly and accurately, thus providing value by maximizing their profits while making their finance management easier - mainly by introducing an income plan and tax plan and helping them gain fulfillment and confidence in their finance. Through several iterations inspired by user interviews and user tests, the final design comes with a mobile application together with a designated in-car phone holder. Together, the app and holder piggyback the tracking behavior with the habitual in-car phone placement behavior of drivers, thus making the insensible experience tangible.

“Working with a human-centered approach is really challenging in this pandemic situation. We learned to conduct primary research and get some user feedback on online forums, and of course, shout out to ID friends who helped and supported us in this project.

Additionally, we are glad that we chose this very specific topic so that we can be more focused on bringing the values we proposed to life, but use a variety of approaches and methods in interaction and product design. Data visualization and communication design are skills that we hope that we gain mastery of prior to this project when we were struggling with shaping the financial mental model for users, we will definitely take related courses before the end of our ID journey.”

— Callie Zhou