One piece of feedback: I'd argue that it isn't important to specify the type of parcel. Recipients usually already know what type of mail they're getting, especially if the sender is identified. Good job, though! I enjoyed the writing, too.
Show HN: I redesigned the USPS package delivery slip
21–30 of 69 posts
Re: Show HN: I redesigned the USPS package delivery slip
#22I would say that your use of checkboxes is off. There shouldn't be any need to explain that if a check box is ticked then this sentence applies. Royal mail have got it down to a pretty good art: http://cdn1.alphr.com/sites/alphr/files/images/blogs/wp-cont... and earlier: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ZKsGEgLdzMc/S-kztysmnJI/AAAAAAAAAL... The main issue I have is that there is too much space devoted to telling you stuff y…
There are a couple of cases where the destination address is valuable to ensure that the package is delivered to the right person.
1. Particularly in apartment buildings where postboxes are next to each other, the slip may not be placed in the correct box. If I receive a slip that's intended for a neighbor, it would be helpful to know the correct address (since I probably don't know all my neighbors' names)
2. If the address is my address but not my name, then it's either a mistake by the sender or it's intended for a former resident, and I can inform USPS. If the address wasn't on the slip, I would just assume it was meant for a neighbor.
Re: Show HN: I redesigned the USPS package delivery slip
#23For reference this is how Royal Mail does it in the uk: Side 1 has the relevant info time/date/what/etc http://cdn1.alphr.com/sites/alphr/files/images/blogs/wp-cont... Side 2 has contact information for your nearest post depot. Note that date/time is simply changed to 'hours' which saves space. Fees to pay is actually a separate form (it's rare for most people to get this, so why waste space on form 1?): https://www.…
A Serbian Post example:
http://i.imgur.com/pqmUdYE.jpg
I hate getting these, if I'm waiting for a package it means I have to wait another day and pick it up myself, if it's addressed to another family member and they're not around, the package is basically returned as they refuse to hand it over at the post office (understandable but inconvenient).
But generally the post is fascinating, I order lots of stuff from China and while it does take a few weeks to arrive, nothing has been lost/stolen yet, I can track packages half-way around the world and it costs me almost nothing. Logistically it's amazing.
Re: Show HN: I redesigned the USPS package delivery slip
#24Initial reaction to the first two images: "Curious on how he/she would redesign that non-intuitive layout." Ouch :(
Same here, I thinking the first images were the original form.
Re: Show HN: I redesigned the USPS package delivery slip
#25What is it with the US government and having indecipherable forms?
I've had a few dealings with CBP, IRS and such, and every time I try to read and comprehend a US government form, I notice that they all seem to be designed to have as little spacing as possible. They're very fond of using lines as dividers between fields (rather than around just the response box) and then putting them as close together as possible so it becomes a confusing, uneven mess. Sure, the form takes up fewer pages, but it's ugly as heck.
In Australia, OTOH, while the questions on one's paperwork are still just as tricky, at least it's usually clear which question you're answering and how the form is meant to flow.
Re: Show HN: I redesigned the USPS package delivery slip
#26Initial reaction to the first two images: "Curious on how he/she would redesign that non-intuitive layout." Ouch :(
Same here, I thinking the first images were the original form.
Me too. I actually scrolled back and forth a couple of times thinking I missed something (I only skimmed the text).
Re: Show HN: I redesigned the USPS package delivery slip
#27You may want to make it clearer from the get-go that the two images at the top are your re-design and not the current form.
Thanks for your comment, I went through the entire article asking "Where's the redesign?", and had to come to the comments hoping somebody's linked to it in some way.
I really don't think that the OP's redesign does anything new, it just seems to be "I removed some stuff that's there for some very specific edge cases and wrote a Medium post about it".
Maybe it's because I'm used to Royal Mail's parcel slips, I don't know. But it looks just as confusing as before.
Re: Show HN: I redesigned the USPS package delivery slip
#28For reference this is how Royal Mail does it in the uk: Side 1 has the relevant info time/date/what/etc http://cdn1.alphr.com/sites/alphr/files/images/blogs/wp-cont... Side 2 has contact information for your nearest post depot. Note that date/time is simply changed to 'hours' which saves space. Fees to pay is actually a separate form (it's rare for most people to get this, so why waste space on form 1?): https://www.…
A Serbian Post example: http://i.imgur.com/pqmUdYE.jpg I hate getting these, if I'm waiting for a package it means I have to wait another day and pick it up myself, if it's addressed to another family member and they're not around, the package is basically returned as they refuse to hand it over at the post office (understandable but inconvenient). But generally the post is fascinating, I order lots of stuff from Chi…
I think postal services in all of Europe are heavily improving as a result of all the internet orders. They started rolling out pin locked boxes here which you can install for a fee at home and they put the package in there and then throw the one-time use pin into your mailbox. I think this sort of stuff has potential.
//EDIT: these things: https://www.post.at/en/personal_receive_mail_collection_box....
Re: Show HN: I redesigned the USPS package delivery slip
#29Initial reaction to the first two images: "Curious on how he/she would redesign that non-intuitive layout." Ouch :(
Same here. I thought the first images are the "bad" ones and didn't get it.. I couldn't even fill out the "new" form, with those tiny spaces.
Re: Show HN: I redesigned the USPS package delivery slip
#30Here is the one the Swiss post uses: http://www.balsthal-collector.ch/holderbank/digitale-fotos/i... And here is the new one: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CRR5bTwUYAE9Tkm.jpg:large
Note on the new one the right side: You can go online and directly instruct the post office on how to proceed (Hold it for me, try a second delivery, forward...)
Additionally I like their email service: Get a mail as soon as somebody sends any package to your address. Get a second mail as soon as it is delivered.
https://www.post.ch/en/customer-center/all-online-services/b...