Drop
An internal mobile app that helps parking staff do their jobs without the chaos — from check-ins to payments to finding the right open slot.
Role
Product Designer
The Challenge
When I started looking into how parking operations were being handled, I noticed that most of it was either manual or spread across different tools. Staff had to manage check-ins, assign parking slots, handle payments, and keep track of everything at the same time. During busy hours, this became even more challenging. There was a lot of back and forth, confusion around slot availability, and small mistakes that could slow everything down. It was clear that the process wasn't built for speed or clarity, even though that's exactly what the environment demanded.
The Solution
The goal was to design something that felt fast and simple - fewer steps, fewer screens, and everything in one place so staff could focus on the cars, not the app.
Faster Check-In Process
Reduced steps and introduced auto slot allocation to speed up vehicle entry.
Clear Slot Management
Used live visuals and live updates to reduce confusion and errors.
Seamless Checkout & Payments
Integrated payments into the exit flow to reduce delays and extra steps.
Smoother Operations During Peak Hours
Simplified flows helped staff handle more vehicles with less effort.
Understanding the Flow
Instead of jumping straight into design, I focused on understanding how things actually worked on the ground. I walked through the typical flow—how a vehicle enters, how a slot is assigned, how payments are handled, and how the vehicle exits.
With this in mind, I started focusing on simplifying the experience as much as possible. The idea was not to add more features, but to make the existing flow feel lighter, cleaner, and faster.
Design Solution
After identifying key challenges from user research, I started translating them into practical solutions while aligning with product and technical constraints.
Making Check-in Faster & Auto Slot Allocation
The old check-in had too many steps. I stripped it down so staff could register a vehicle fast, especially when things got hectic. The biggest win? Removing manual slot assignment entirely — the system now auto-assigns the next open spot during check-in, which cut down both time and errors.
Integrated Checkout & Payments
Since payments happen at the time of exit, I designed the checkout flow to include payments as part of the same step. This way, staff don't have to switch between different actions, making the process quicker and more seamless.
The Impact
The final experience made day-to-day operations feel more manageable. Staff could handle check-ins, track slots, and complete payments much faster, without constantly switching context or second-guessing their actions. What stood out the most was how small improvements in speed and clarity made a big difference in a fast-paced environment like this.
Check-in process reduced
Smooth peak hour operations
Easy spot detection