Container Control (0→1)
Container Control (0→1)
Container Control (0→1)
I built a 0→1 container management solution—eliminating manual spreadsheets, enabling real-time tracking, and boosting user engagement by 30%, all while cutting operational costs by 22% and achieving a 4.7/5 satisfaction score.
I built a 0→1 container management solution—eliminating manual spreadsheets, enabling real-time tracking, and boosting user engagement by 30%, all while cutting operational costs by 22% and achieving a 4.7/5 satisfaction score.
I built a 0→1 container management solution—eliminating manual spreadsheets, enabling real-time tracking, and boosting user engagement by 30%, all while cutting operational costs by 22% and achieving a 4.7/5 satisfaction score.
Product
Product
Container Control (built from scratch)
Container Control (built from scratch)
Objective
Objective
+25% engagement, -20% depot costs, 4.5/5 satisfaction
+25% engagement, -20% depot costs, 4.5/5 satisfaction
My Role
My Role
Key Designer—conceptualization, user research, design execution, cross-functional collaboration
Key Designer—conceptualization, user research, design execution, cross-functional collaboration
Team
Team
Designer (me), 2 PMs, 1 Eng Manager, 7 Engineers, 1 Business Lead
Designer (me), 2 PMs, 1 Eng Manager, 7 Engineers, 1 Business Lead
My role
I joined Container xChange in November 2021 when there were 50 people. The online platform for container logistics had recently secured its Series B funding, attesting to its remarkable potential, and was driven by an unparalleled vision. Over 2 years and 8 months, I went from being a solo designer focused on 0→1 solutions to a key member of a 13-designer squad. Accomplishments from my time at xChange include:
I joined Container xChange in November 2021 when there were 50 people. The online platform for container logistics had recently secured its Series B funding, attesting to its remarkable potential, and was driven by an unparalleled vision. Over 2 years and 8 months, I went from being a solo designer focused on 0→1 solutions to a key member of a 13-designer squad. Accomplishments from my time at xChange include:
I joined Container xChange in November 2021 when there were 50 people. The online platform for container logistics had recently secured its Series B funding, attesting to its remarkable potential, and was driven by an unparalleled vision. Over 2 years and 8 months, I went from being a solo designer focused on 0→1 solutions to a key member of a 13-designer squad. Accomplishments from my time at xChange include:
Accomplishments
Built and Launched a ConControl
Re-architecting the entire navigation
Post-Accept Experience in Leasing
Leasing search (Core platform)
Claim and insurance tracker
Supply creation (Core platform)
Insights reports (Analytics)
"Compass" Design System
Built and Launched a ConControl
Re-architecting the entire navigation
Post-Accept Experience in Leasing
Leasing search (Core platform)
Claim and insurance tracker
Supply creation (Core platform)
Insights reports (Analytics)
"Compass" Design System
Built and Launched a ConControl
Re-architecting the entire navigation
Post-Accept Experience in Leasing
Leasing search (Core platform)
Claim and insurance tracker
Supply creation (Core platform)
Insights reports (Analytics)
"Compass" Design System
Responsibilities
Sole designer for Zero to One Product Discovery
Develop Product Design strategy & vision
Product discovery preparation
Customer research & interviews
Create and test prototypes
Final Ul Design & delivery
Design QA testing
Close collaboration with engineering to ensure feasibility and smooth implementation
Mentoring mid-level and junior designers
Participate in roadmap creation
Design thinking evangelism
Sole designer for Zero to One Product Discovery
Develop Product Design strategy & vision
Product discovery preparation
Customer research & interviews
Create and test prototypes
Final Ul Design & delivery
Design QA testing
Close collaboration with engineering to ensure feasibility and smooth implementation
Mentoring mid-level and junior designers
Participate in roadmap creation
Design thinking evangelism
Sole designer for Zero to One Product Discovery
Develop Product Design strategy & vision
Product discovery preparation
Customer research & interviews
Create and test prototypes
Final Ul Design & delivery
Design QA testing
Close collaboration with engineering to ensure feasibility and smooth implementation
Mentoring mid-level and junior designers
Participate in roadmap creation
Design thinking evangelism
Context & Challenge
In the competitive world of shipping logistics, even a $1 difference can make or break a deal. Companies rely heavily on real-time data to avoid fees, reduce delays, and minimize manual workloads. Container Control delivers exactly that: a single source of truth that streamlines daily operations for container managers. At its core, it replaces manual spreadsheets and ad-hoc phone calls with real-time container tracking, centralized bookings, and proactive alerts.
In the competitive world of shipping logistics, even a $1 difference can make or break a deal. Companies rely heavily on real-time data to avoid fees, reduce delays, and minimize manual workloads. Container Control delivers exactly that: a single source of truth that streamlines daily operations for container managers. At its core, it replaces manual spreadsheets and ad-hoc phone calls with real-time container tracking, centralized bookings, and proactive alerts.
In the competitive world of shipping logistics, even a $1 difference can make or break a deal. Companies rely heavily on real-time data to avoid fees, reduce delays, and minimize manual workloads. Container Control delivers exactly that: a single source of truth that streamlines daily operations for container managers. At its core, it replaces manual spreadsheets and ad-hoc phone calls with real-time container tracking, centralized bookings, and proactive alerts.
Key Obstacles
Inefficient Tracking
Inefficient Tracking
Inefficient Tracking
Manual data entry and outdated processes.
Manual data entry and outdated processes.
Manual data entry and outdated processes.
Limited Visibility
Limited Visibility
Limited Visibility
No real-time insights on container movement.
No real-time insights on container movement.
No real-time insights on container movement.
Cost Overruns
Cost Overruns
Cost Overruns
Depot fees and detention charges balloon when containers aren’t proactively managed.
Depot fees and detention charges balloon when containers aren’t proactively managed.
Depot fees and detention charges balloon when containers aren’t proactively managed.
What is xChange Control?
xChange Control is a SaaS product that gives container managers full visibility over all containers - whether leased, owned, or SOC - removing reliance on “archaic xls-sheets” or endless email threads. By delivering real-time data and simplified workflows, it tackles the industry’s largest pain point: inefficient, manual processes that cost forwarders and NVOCCs time and money.
xChange Control is a SaaS product that gives container managers full visibility over all containers - whether leased, owned, or SOC - removing reliance on “archaic xls-sheets” or endless email threads. By delivering real-time data and simplified workflows, it tackles the industry’s largest pain point: inefficient, manual processes that cost forwarders and NVOCCs time and money.
xChange Control is a SaaS product that gives container managers full visibility over all containers - whether leased, owned, or SOC - removing reliance on “archaic xls-sheets” or endless email threads. By delivering real-time data and simplified workflows, it tackles the industry’s largest pain point: inefficient, manual processes that cost forwarders and NVOCCs time and money.
Objective
Build an intuitive Container Control platform providing users with real-time container movement, streamlined bookings, and actionable alerts—while reducing overhead and improving overall efficiency.
+25% user engagement within 6 months (reduce reliance on offline methods)
-20% depot and detention costs within 1 year (through faster problem resolution)
4.5/5 user satisfaction score post-launch (ease of use + real-time data)
Build an intuitive Container Control platform providing users with real-time container movement, streamlined bookings, and actionable alerts—while reducing overhead and improving overall efficiency.
+25% user engagement within 6 months (reduce reliance on offline methods)
-20% depot and detention costs within 1 year (through faster problem resolution)
4.5/5 user satisfaction score post-launch (ease of use + real-time data)
Build an intuitive Container Control platform providing users with real-time container movement, streamlined bookings, and actionable alerts—while reducing overhead and improving overall efficiency.
+25% user engagement within 6 months (reduce reliance on offline methods)
-20% depot and detention costs within 1 year (through faster problem resolution)
4.5/5 user satisfaction score post-launch (ease of use + real-time data)
Process
Process
Process
Research & Discovery
User Interviews & Market Analysis
Competitive Analysis: Studied existing logistics solutions, confirming the market was saturated with partial fixes, but few offered a truly integrated approach.
Key Realization: We needed real-time visibility into container statuses and proactive notifications to reduce high costs caused by missed pickups.
Deep-Dive Interviews: I spoke with container managers to pinpoint daily frustrations—lack of real-time data, no single system for pickups/drop-offs, constant email chases for references.
Competitive Analysis: Studied existing logistics solutions, confirming the market was saturated with partial fixes, but few offered a truly integrated approach.
Key Realization: We needed real-time visibility into container statuses and proactive notifications to reduce high costs caused by missed pickups.
Deep-Dive Interviews: I spoke with container managers to pinpoint daily frustrations—lack of real-time data, no single system for pickups/drop-offs, constant email chases for references.
Competitive Analysis: Studied existing logistics solutions, confirming the market was saturated with partial fixes, but few offered a truly integrated approach.
Key Realization: We needed real-time visibility into container statuses and proactive notifications to reduce high costs caused by missed pickups.
Deep-Dive Interviews: I spoke with container managers to pinpoint daily frustrations—lack of real-time data, no single system for pickups/drop-offs, constant email chases for references.
Reliance on Spreadsheets
Reliance on Spreadsheets
Reliance on Spreadsheets
High manual workload and frequent errors.
Manual data entry and outdated processes.
Missed Cost-Saving Opportunities
Missed Cost-Saving Opportunities
Missed Cost-Saving Opportunities
Limited visibility led to higher depot fees and detention charges.
No real-time insights on container movement.
Slow Data Flow
Slow Data Flow
Slow Data Flow
Real-time updates were non-existent, causing reactive (not proactive)management.
Real-time updates were non-existent, causing reactive (not proactive)management.
Insights from User Interviews
Insights from User Interviews
Insights from User Interviews
Defining the Strategy
I organized discovery workshops with stakeholders to pinpoint the biggest hurdles, set measurable goals, and outline iterative experiments. Our solution needed to be intuitive yet powerful enough to handle real-time data and dynamic container statuses.
I organized discovery workshops with stakeholders to pinpoint the biggest hurdles, set measurable goals, and outline iterative experiments. Our solution needed to be intuitive yet powerful enough to handle real-time data and dynamic container statuses.
I organized discovery workshops with stakeholders to pinpoint the biggest hurdles, set measurable goals, and outline iterative experiments. Our solution needed to be intuitive yet powerful enough to handle real-time data and dynamic container statuses.
Workshop Activity Overview
Workshop Activity Overview
Workshop Activity Overview
ConControl - Customer Journey & Value Proposition
ConControl - Customer Journey & Value Proposition
ConControl - Customer Journey & Value Proposition
Design & Development Process
Concept & Prototyping
Started with low-fidelity wireframes to validate core flows (booking, tracking, cost-monitoring).
Evolved into interactive prototypes, tested with actual container managers for usability feedback.
Started with low-fidelity wireframes to validate core flows (booking, tracking, cost-monitoring).
Evolved into interactive prototypes, tested with actual container managers for usability feedback.
Started with low-fidelity wireframes to validate core flows (booking, tracking, cost-monitoring).
Evolved into interactive prototypes, tested with actual container managers for usability feedback.
The first version of user flow
The first version of user flow
The first version of user flow
The first version of the product
The first version of the product
The first version of the product
Wireframes
Wireframes
Wireframes
High-Fidelity Design
Design System Alignment: Held weekly component review meetings with the Design System team.
Visual Style & Illustrations: Created a coherent UI library—buttons, modals, color systems—to ensure a polished, consistent product.
Interactive Prototypes: Demonstrated the new user journey in various user testing sessions to gather real-time feedback.
Design System Alignment: Held weekly component review meetings with the Design System team.
Visual Style & Illustrations: Created a coherent UI library—buttons, modals, color systems—to ensure a polished, consistent product.
Interactive Prototypes: Demonstrated the new user journey in various user testing sessions to gather real-time feedback.
Design System Alignment: Held weekly component review meetings with the Design System team.
Visual Style & Illustrations: Created a coherent UI library—buttons, modals, color systems—to ensure a polished, consistent product.
Interactive Prototypes: Demonstrated the new user journey in various user testing sessions to gather real-time feedback.
Collaboration & Stakeholder Feedback
Dedicated Figma Space: Provided a single source of truth for developers, product leads, and business stakeholders.
Regular Feedback Loops: Only empirically backed suggestions moved forward, ensuring each iteration was data-driven and aligned with OKRs.
Dedicated Figma Space: Provided a single source of truth for developers, product leads, and business stakeholders.
Regular Feedback Loops: Only empirically backed suggestions moved forward, ensuring each iteration was data-driven and aligned with OKRs.
Dedicated Figma Space: Provided a single source of truth for developers, product leads, and business stakeholders.
Regular Feedback Loops: Only empirically backed suggestions moved forward, ensuring each iteration was data-driven and aligned with OKRs.
Sneak Peak into the Design System
Sneak Peak into the Design System
Sneak Peak into the Design System
Key Features & Solutions
Real-Time Tracking
Instant Updates: Automatic pick-up, drop-off, and ETA notifications.
Depot Integration: Direct connections for accurate, on-the-fly status changes.
Value: Eliminates guesswork, enabling proactive container management.
Instant Updates: Automatic pick-up, drop-off, and ETA notifications.
Depot Integration: Direct connections for accurate, on-the-fly status changes.
Value: Eliminates guesswork, enabling proactive container management.
Instant Updates: Automatic pick-up, drop-off, and ETA notifications.
Depot Integration: Direct connections for accurate, on-the-fly status changes.
Value: Eliminates guesswork, enabling proactive container management.
Centralized Booking Management
Unified Platform: Manage all container bookings in one dashboard.
Easy Connections: Link bookings to container releases effortlessly.
Value: Minimizes confusion, ensures faster scheduling decisions.
Unified Platform: Manage all container bookings in one dashboard.
Easy Connections: Link bookings to container releases effortlessly.
Value: Minimizes confusion, ensures faster scheduling decisions.
Unified Platform: Manage all container bookings in one dashboard.
Easy Connections: Link bookings to container releases effortlessly.
Value: Minimizes confusion, ensures faster scheduling decisions.
Clear Operational Overview
Dashboard Views: Comprehensive snapshot of container statuses, expiry dates, and location.
Customization: Filterable by region or container type to suit specific user needs.
Value: Reduces manual searching, fosters better oversight and planning.
Dashboard Views: Comprehensive snapshot of container statuses, expiry dates, and location.
Customization: Filterable by region or container type to suit specific user needs.
Value: Reduces manual searching, fosters better oversight and planning.
Dashboard Views: Comprehensive snapshot of container statuses, expiry dates, and location.
Customization: Filterable by region or container type to suit specific user needs.
Value: Reduces manual searching, fosters better oversight and planning.
Actionable Alerts
Proactive Notifications: Flags issues like delays, missed pick-ups, or potential depot fines.
Value: Cuts reaction time, preventing cost overruns and scheduling bottlenecks.
Proactive Notifications: Flags issues like delays, missed pick-ups, or potential depot fines.
Value: Cuts reaction time, preventing cost overruns and scheduling bottlenecks.
Proactive Notifications: Flags issues like delays, missed pick-ups, or potential depot fines.
Value: Cuts reaction time, preventing cost overruns and scheduling bottlenecks.
Challenges
Design
Our task was to make a service from scratch. So I make wireframes, get feedback, refine, accept, handoff to developers, and do a visual review after. Done, send to production.
Our task was to make a service from scratch. So I make wireframes, get feedback, refine, accept, handoff to developers, and do a visual review after. Done, send to production.
Our task was to make a service from scratch. So I make wireframes, get feedback, refine, accept, handoff to developers, and do a visual review after. Done, send to production.
Launch… Something wrong
In the first week, the number of people using the service was 3%. The product manager goes to check basic things. Turns out we forgot to get rid of the limitation for the test group only. After two weeks, the metric rose up to 5%. Still too small.
Discuss it with the product manager. I hypothesise that it’s because we didn’t announce this feature, and we don’t have a mechanism for that across all products. He agreed, and I’m going to design.
In the first week, the number of people using the service was 3%. The product manager goes to check basic things. Turns out we forgot to get rid of the limitation for the test group only. After two weeks, the metric rose up to 5%. Still too small.
Discuss it with the product manager. I hypothesise that it’s because we didn’t announce this feature, and we don’t have a mechanism for that across all products. He agreed, and I’m going to design.
In the first week, the number of people using the service was 3%. The product manager goes to check basic things. Turns out we forgot to get rid of the limitation for the test group only. After two weeks, the metric rose up to 5%. Still too small.
Discuss it with the product manager. I hypothesise that it’s because we didn’t announce this feature, and we don’t have a mechanism for that across all products. He agreed, and I’m going to design.
Announce
I am offering to highlight this feature by using the tooltip on the main page and, in the future, to reuse this pattern in other products. Plus, add the badge “New” on the tab. The product manager agrees and adds that it would be good to add a description for this service — agreed, released. In the next two weeks, the metric rose to 18%. And after a month, up to 20-30%. Wow, it’s cool, but not the end - we just need to collaborate with the Data team to track the adoption and retention rates of new features
I am offering to highlight this feature by using the tooltip on the main page and, in the future, to reuse this pattern in other products. Plus, add the badge “New” on the tab. The product manager agrees and adds that it would be good to add a description for this service — agreed, released. In the next two weeks, the metric rose to 18%. And after a month, up to 20-30%. Wow, it’s cool, but not the end - we just need to collaborate with the Data team to track the adoption and retention rates of new features
I am offering to highlight this feature by using the tooltip on the main page and, in the future, to reuse this pattern in other products. Plus, add the badge “New” on the tab. The product manager agrees and adds that it would be good to add a description for this service — agreed, released. In the next two weeks, the metric rose to 18%. And after a month, up to 20-30%. Wow, it’s cool, but not the end - we just need to collaborate with the Data team to track the adoption and retention rates of new features
Announce on the navigation
Announce on the navigation
Announce on the navigation
The final version of the main screen
The final version of the main screen
The final version of the main screen
The final version of the detail screen
The final version of the detail screen
The final version of the detail screen
The final version of the detail screen - table
The final version of the detail screen - table
The final version of the detail screen - table
Results & Impact
+30%
User Engagement (exceeding the original 25% goal).
User Engagement (exceeding the original 25% goal).
Manual data entry and outdated processes.
-22%
Depot Costs & Detention Charges (within the first year).
Depot Costs & Detention Charges (within the first year).
Manual data entry and outdated processes.
4.7/5
User Satisfaction Score (above the 4.5 target).
User Satisfaction Score (above the 4.5 target).
Manual data entry and outdated processes.
Lessons & Key Takeaways
Small Experiments, Big Impact
Rapid experimentation let us validate ideas early and refine quickly—lowering risk and maximizing ROI.
Collaborative Workshops
Bringing cross-functional teams together broke down silos, sped up decision-making, and ensured consistent vision.
Data-Centric Decision Making
Leveraging analytics and user feedback at each stage kept our designs aligned with true business objectives.
A Culture of Continuous Improvement
Post-launch metrics track usage patterns, guiding iterative enhancements like extended tracking or predictive routing.
Small Experiments, Big Impact
Rapid experimentation let us validate ideas early and refine quickly—lowering risk and maximizing ROI.
Collaborative Workshops
Bringing cross-functional teams together broke down silos, sped up decision-making, and ensured consistent vision.
Data-Centric Decision Making
Leveraging analytics and user feedback at each stage kept our designs aligned with true business objectives.
A Culture of Continuous Improvement
Post-launch metrics track usage patterns, guiding iterative enhancements like extended tracking or predictive routing.
Small Experiments, Big Impact
Rapid experimentation let us validate ideas early and refine quickly—lowering risk and maximizing ROI.
Collaborative Workshops
Bringing cross-functional teams together broke down silos, sped up decision-making, and ensured consistent vision.
Data-Centric Decision Making
Leveraging analytics and user feedback at each stage kept our designs aligned with true business objectives.
A Culture of Continuous Improvement
Post-launch metrics track usage patterns, guiding iterative enhancements like extended tracking or predictive routing.
“The new platform saves me hours each week. No more manual spreadsheets!”
“The new platform saves me hours each week. No more manual spreadsheets!”
“The new platform saves me hours each week. No more manual spreadsheets!”
- Container Manager
“We finally see real-time updates, which helps us catch potential issues before they cost us.”
“We finally see real-time updates, which helps us catch potential issues before they cost us.”
“We finally see real-time updates, which helps us catch potential issues before they cost us.”
- Supplier
Designing Container Control was a transformative experience, showcasing the power of thoughtful design in a complex, highly competitive industry. By merging human-centered research with data-driven insights and close cross-functional collaboration, we delivered a real-time solution that boosted engagement, slashed operational costs, and increased customer satisfaction.
“This project solidified my belief that user empathy, strong collaboration, and a relentless focus on data can reshape entire industries.”
Designing Container Control was a transformative experience, showcasing the power of thoughtful design in a complex, highly competitive industry. By merging human-centered research with data-driven insights and close cross-functional collaboration, we delivered a real-time solution that boosted engagement, slashed operational costs, and increased customer satisfaction.
“This project solidified my belief that user empathy, strong collaboration, and a relentless focus on data can reshape entire industries.”
Designing Container Control was a transformative experience, showcasing the power of thoughtful design in a complex, highly competitive industry. By merging human-centered research with data-driven insights and close cross-functional collaboration, we delivered a real-time solution that boosted engagement, slashed operational costs, and increased customer satisfaction.
“This project solidified my belief that user empathy, strong collaboration, and a relentless focus on data can reshape entire industries.”
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Copyright 2025 by Mary Shabeliuk
Copyright 2025 by Mary Shabeliuk