Courier is a logistics and route management tool built for delivery drivers. I worked closely with the founder, a logistics expert with over 10 years of experience, to design an app that simplifies route creation, reduces manual input, and helps drivers stay focused on the job.
Delivery drivers and small courier teams often find themselves relying on outdated tools, spreadsheets, or general-purpose apps that just don’t match the realities of the job. Planning routes manually was time-consuming, tracking progress was confusing, and there were too many steps involved in doing something as simple as updating a stop. On top of that, drivers work in very different ways — some prefer typing out stops, others want to scan barcodes, and many juggle massive lists pulled from spreadsheets. None of the tools out there made this easy or intuitive.
We wanted to build something better. Our goal was to create a mobile app that felt like it was designed by someone who understands the daily grind of delivery work. That meant making it quick and flexible to build routes, showing delivery progress in real time, reducing manual effort wherever possible, and keeping the interface clean and easy to use, even during a hectic shift.
There wasn’t a formal research phase. Instead, discovery happened through constant conversations and real-life stories. The founder had been in the logistics space for over a decade, so he had plenty of insight into the everyday struggles drivers deal with. We talked daily, exchanged voice notes, sketched ideas on whiteboards, and jumped into Figma to explore possible solutions. We moved fast, relying on instinct, experience, and a clear sense of what really mattered. After launch, we used early feedback from actual drivers to tighten things up, streamline flows, and double down on what was working.
Manual
One of the first things we realised was that different drivers need different ways to create their routes. Some prefer a straightforward, manual approach — just typing in the addresses as they go. We designed a simple flow for this use case: drivers can search for and add each stop one by one, drag to reorder them if needed, and hit optimise when they’re ready to go. It’s fast, intuitive, and doesn’t get in the way.
Import
Others work with longer delivery lists, often pulled from warehouse software or Excel. For these drivers, typing everything manually would be painful. So we added a spreadsheet import flow. They can upload a CSV file directly into the app, which auto-populates all the stops and builds the route in seconds — complete with validation and quick editing tools if needed.
Scan
Finally, for drivers who handle barcoded packages, we created a fast barcode scanning flow. This lets them scan each parcel one by one, and the app automatically pulls in the destination info linked to that code. It’s the quickest way to build a route on the go, especially in busy environments.
Some of the key UI moments really brought the app to life. The route overview screen gives drivers a clean breakdown of all their stops, including delivery times and status updates — whether a parcel has been delivered, failed, or is still in progress. We added a lightweight optimisation flow that runs in real time, giving drivers immediate feedback as their routes update.
The import and scan screens are minimal and distraction-free, helping drivers stay focused. We even included a floating music widget with delivery controls, so they can keep going without switching apps.
In the settings, we gave drivers control over vehicle type, average stop time, navigation preferences, and more — so the app works the way they do.
We launched the first version in under three months. Early feedback was really encouraging — drivers appreciated the simplicity and how quick it was to get started. One driver told us they could now plan and start their route in under a minute, which was exactly the kind of impact we were aiming for. The app is already being used by small courier teams handling dozens of stops per day, and we’re continuing to improve it based on real-world feedback. It’s fast, flexible, and doesn’t get in the way — which, in a way, is the biggest compliment a delivery tool can get.
Courier taught me a lot about designing for high-pressure, real-world scenarios. When people are working on the move, every extra second or tap adds up. I also saw how powerful founder insight can be — especially when you’re working on a problem they’ve lived through. Instead of overthinking the process, we stayed close to the users and let the product evolve based on actual usage. And finally, this project reminded me that great UX doesn’t need to be flashy — sometimes the best design is the one that quietly gets out of the way and lets people do their job better.
