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Show HN: I redesigned the USPS package delivery slip

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Re: Show HN: I redesigned the USPS package delivery slip

#41

Post by alizauf »

joshvm wrote: post #7

For 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.…

Interesting! They do separate it similarly. I also like that there is less information on it--makes sense that payment is separate since it is rare.

Re: Show HN: I redesigned the USPS package delivery slip

#42

Post by alizauf »

level3 wrote: post #3

I applaud the effort, but there are a few points about usability that you may have overlooked. 1. Entry spaces are now much smaller and requires smaller writing, particularly for names and addresses. I actually doubt that many addresses will fit. 2. By putting the checkboxes closer together, it makes it harder to tell them apart. The delivery person now has to be more precise when making marks, leading to reduced eff…

Agreed that I could make the spaces for writing bigger. I might make another version with bigger writing spaces. Also, good point, re: 3.

Re: Show HN: I redesigned the USPS package delivery slip

#43

Post by alizauf »

cstuder wrote: post #30
sschueller wrote: post #13

Here 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...

The USPS has some online steps you can take once you get the slip, but I like the idea of proactively emailing you.

Re: Show HN: I redesigned the USPS package delivery slip

#44

Post by alizauf »

markbao wrote: post #2

This is a thoughtful redesign. Although the organization of the redesigned form is stronger in some aspects and weaker in others (stronger in terms of how much sense it makes and the behavior flow, weaker in its visual organization), it's still a great improvement. The key issue is that it seems busy. I think the form could sacrifice the increased font size (and generally standardize the font size and the font styles…

Thanks! Good suggestions.

Re: Show HN: I redesigned the USPS package delivery slip

#45

Post by alizauf »

jrockway wrote: post #8

The author has the same post office as me. I've never even managed to get something redelivered even when filling this form out, or filling it out online. That seems to be the bigger problem. I would just make the form say, "You can get this thing at the post office tomorrow. If you don't pick it up by XXX, it will be crushed into a cube."

Ha.

Re: Show HN: I redesigned the USPS package delivery slip

#46

Post by alizauf »

Theodores wrote: post #10

This is why the world thinks we need designers... In this case I think a designer is needed, the layout falls short in conventional layout terms - grids, use of white space, things just lining up properly. Give it another go, take on board what people have said here about it looking to busy and get the form to have function and look good! You can do the bit that some manager would hand over to a designer, that design…

I do think I'm going to give it another try, thanks. And agreed--I have more of a background in UX, but this was my first go at paper layout design. There is definitely much to improve.

Re: Show HN: I redesigned the USPS package delivery slip

#47

Post by alizauf »

the_mitsuhiko wrote: post #28
3princip wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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....

I think this is what the gopost option is supposed to do, but this version seems more effective.

Re: Show HN: I redesigned the USPS package delivery slip

#48

Post by alizauf »

ygra wrote: post #18
jcrawfordor wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Although automation could certainly be implemented to some extent here, note that on city routes the carrier will often use this form when not near their vehicle (flats fit in the bag). There are several options for body-worn thermal printers, but durability of the device and output might be a problem. These cards are printed on pretty heavy stock and are really very sturdy. As far as body-worn printing of adhesive l…

DHL does that (in Germany at least). The delivery people have combined scanner/printer things that thermal-print on adhesive labels. So if they didn't find you and you need to pick up a package, you get a card in the mailbox with a printed slip on top of it which says where you can pick it up as well as the opening hours of that shop (which is a great improvement to before when the opening hours weren't listed). When…

I completely agree that any online option or specific printed labels would be better than a generic card.

Re: Show HN: I redesigned the USPS package delivery slip

#49

Post by Infinitesimus »

blowski wrote: post #36
Infinitesimus wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> If you think you're going to be downvoted, ask yourself why and consider rewriting it in such a way that people won't downvote you. I don't think intentionally trying to write in a way that doesn't provoke downvotes is helpful to a healthy discussion. The post in question was direct, that's it. While it is fair to suggest that the parent post highlight the positives, I don't think it is necessary always. Especially…

I agree with you that avoiding downvotes doesn't promote healthy discussion. However, I take exception to someone pre-empting downvotes - to me personally, it comes across as a challenge to disagree and I don't think that's helpful to a healthy discussion either. If someone writes something without thinking about whether they'll be upvoted or downvoted, then that's great, even if I disagree with them. But writing wit…

I understand much better now with your clarification, thanks

Re: Show HN: I redesigned the USPS package delivery slip

#50

Post by swingbridge »

I got one of these sorts of things one time. It told me to go to a post office nearby to pick up a package. When I went there they didn't have my package and the following exchange occurred:

"Why did you come to this post office?"

"Because your form says to come to this post office. See right here on the slip..."

"This isn't your post office you need to go to (post office a few miles away)"

"OK, so why did you guys tell me to come here?"

"Sir if you want your package you have to go to the other post office."

"Whatever, thanks"

It's constant screw ups and interactions like this that generally cause me to avoid the USPS whenever possible.

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