Square

A streamlined point of sale system simplified for small businesses.

With the introduction of chip reader technology for payments, many business owners faced the need to purchase additional equipment, resulting in cluttered point-of-sale systems. The growing number of devices made it cumbersome for employees, especially those on the go, like food truck operators or market vendors, to complete transactions efficiently. Recognizing this challenge, Square approached Nova with the goal to develop a design that would consolidate all payment functionalities into one durable device.

The Challenge

To tackle this challenge, our team embarked on an iterative process involving brainstorming, sketching, and ideation. After several rounds of exploration, we arrived at a design concept that incorporated tap, swipe, and chip insert technologies into a single protective case for iPads or iPhones. Given the novelty and relative costliness of chip and tap technology, we strongly emphasized durability to safeguard the embedded technology. To validate our design, we conducted user testing with local business owners to ensure the design would seamlessly integrate into their existing workflows. Additionally, we extended our efforts to design the packaging of the product.

Our Solution

Nova sourced a best in class manufacturer for the case and worked with them on site in Shenzhen to debug the final design. This attention to detail in the last mile of development is what takes a product from good to great. The result was a one-stop shop POS system that small business owners still use today. By streamlining payment processes and consolidating multiple devices into one, our solution has provided small business owners with a convenient and efficient tool for managing transactions.

The Impact


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