How I Made Parking
Easier in Los Angeles
Project Overview
Role
Lead Product Designer
8 Weeks
Timeline
Platform
iOS Mobile App
The Problem
Los Angeles parking is confusing and stressful due to constantly changing rules, leading to wasted time and frequent tickets. Calmmute solves this by scanning parking signs, interpreting restrictions in real time, and sending alerts before rules change. It provides a simple, end-to-end experience that helps drivers park confidently and avoid fines.
“LA drivers don’t intentionally break parking rules because the city’s confusing and inconsistent signage makes it difficult to quickly understand what’s allowed.”
Complex, Overlapping Regulations
A single parking spot can have multiple signs with different rules, forcing users to quickly interpret time limits, permits, and restrictions.
Time Anxiety & Forgetting
Users often forget when parking restrictions change, leading to tickets or towing even after finding legal parking.
No Trust in Spot Legality
Users often second-guess if their car is still legally parked, causing stress and unnecessary moves throughout the day.
Lack of Real-Time Monitoring
Most parking apps help find spots but don’t monitor parked cars or warn users before violations occur, leaving people to rely on easy-to-miss reminders.
Visual Design System
Color Palette
Teal Primary
#14B8A6
Dark Navy
#0F172A
Soft White
#F8FAFC
ALL ROUND GOTHIC
Headers & Navigation - Bold, attention-grabbing
Montserrat
Body & UI - Clean, highly legible
Bayon's strong presence mirrors the venue's bold personality, while Montserrat ensures excellent readability at all sizes.
Typography
Final UI Design
Onboarding & Setup
A streamlined 3-step onboarding introduces users to key features while collecting essential vehicle information. Users can skip and complete setup later to reduce friction.
Welcome & Value Proposition
Feature Highlights
Location & Camera Permissions
Vehicle Setup: Type Selection
Setup Complete Confirmation
Camera Based Sign Recognition
The core feature: users point their camera at parking signs and receive instant validation.
AI interprets complex restrictions and provides clear yes/no guidance with explanation.
Camera View: Warning State
Validation Success: Safe to Park
Live Monitoring Dashboard
After parking, users access a dashboard showing parking duration, time remaining, live camera feed, and quick access to updates. Peace of mind through active monitoring.
Available Parking Details
Filters
Locator
Profile and Notifications
Users manage vehicles, view parking history, and receive time-sensitive notifications. Smart alerts warn before restrictions change or parking expires.
User Profile & Settings
Smart Notifications Center
Add/Manage Vehicles
How I Made Parking Easier in Los Angeles
Project Overview
Role
Lead Product Designer
8 Weeks
Timeline
Platform
iOS Mobile App
The Problem
Los Angeles parking is confusing and stressful due to constantly changing rules, leading to wasted time and frequent tickets. Calmmute solves this by scanning parking signs, interpreting restrictions in real time, and sending alerts before rules change. It provides a simple, end-to-end experience that helps drivers park confidently and avoid fines.
“Los Angeles issues over 2 million parking tickets annually, generating nearly $150 million in revenue. The problem isn't that drivers intentionally break rules. It's that LA's parking signage is confusing, often contradictory, and requires mental calculation to determine legality.”
Complex, Overlapping Regulations
A single parking spot can have 3-4 signs with different time windows, permit requirements, and day-of-week restrictions. Users must mentally parse and cross-reference multiple rules to determine current legality.
Time Anxiety & Forgetting
Even when users find legal parking, they forget when restrictions change (e.g., "No parking 4-6pm"). By the time they remember, they've already received a ticket or their car has been towed.
No Trust in Spot Legality
Users constantly second-guess their parking choice throughout the day, leading to stress and sometimes unnecessary moves. There's no easy way to verify "Is my car still legal right now?"
Lack of Real-Time Monitoring
Existing parking apps help find spots but don't actively monitor your parked car or warn you before you're in violation. Users are left to set manual phone reminders, which they often ignore or dismiss.
Visual Design System
Color Palette
Teal Primary
#14B8A6
Dark Navy
#0F172A
Soft White
#F8FAFC
ALL ROUND GOTHIC
Headers & Navigation - Bold, attention-grabbing
Montserrat
Body & UI - Clean, highly legible
Bayon's strong presence mirrors the venue's bold personality, while Montserrat ensures excellent readability at all sizes.
Typography
Final UI Design
Onboarding & Setup
A streamlined 3-step onboarding introduces users to key features while collecting essential vehicle information. Users can skip and complete setup later to reduce friction.
Welcome & Value Proposition
Feature Highlights
Location & Camera Permissions
Vehicle Setup: Type Selection
Setup Complete Confirmation
Camera Based Sign Recognition
The core feature: users point their camera at parking signs and receive instant validation.
AI interprets complex restrictions and provides clear yes/no guidance with explanation.
Camera View: Warning State
Validation Success: Safe to Park
Live Monitoring Dashboard
After parking, users access a dashboard showing parking duration, time remaining, live camera feed, and quick access to updates. Peace of mind through active monitoring.
Available Parking Details
Filters
Locator
Profile and Notifications
Users manage vehicles, view parking history, and receive time-sensitive notifications. Smart alerts warn before restrictions change or parking expires.
User Profile & Settings
Add/Manage Vehicles
Smart Notifications Center