Accessible Paper to Text Capture
Design a document capture app that turns printed text into editable, readable content while preserving uncertainty and page structure.
The brief
Understand the problem
Background
Printed letters, forms, and handouts are difficult to search, enlarge, or read aloud. Text recognition helps, but skewed pages, columns, handwriting, and poor contrast can alter important content.
User context
George has low vision and receives a printed appointment letter. He wants to hear it read aloud, enlarge the date, and save the clinic number without relying on a perfect scan.
Product problem
The product must guide capture, retain a reference image, and make recognition errors visible before the text is copied or acted upon.
Objective
Create capture, recognition review, accessible reading, and export for a printed document.
What to design
Define the experience
Required experience
- Camera alignment and capture
- Recognized text review
- Reading controls
- Export or copy
Screens and states
- Camera guidance
- Processing and page review
- Accessible reader
- Uncertain text correction
Core user flow
Follow the critical path
- 01
George aligns the appointment letter
- 02
The app detects a shadow and requests another photo
- 03
Recognized text opens in a large readable view
- 04
He checks the date against the image and saves it to his calendar
Product rules
Requirements and constraints
Requirements
- Keep the source image beside extracted text
- Mark low-confidence words and numbers
- Support text size, spacing, contrast, and read aloud
- Preserve headings and basic reading order
- Allow correction before export
Constraints
- Processing may occur offline
- The document may contain private information
- Handwriting support is limited
Reality check
States worth considering
Ready-to-use content
Mock data
Use this content to test hierarchy and realistic data states. You can expand it when the concept needs more depth.
Recognized appointment
- Westfield Clinic
- Tuesday 21 October at 10:30
- Bring photo identification
- Phone: 03 5550 1842, number confidence 72 percent
Finish line
What to deliver
- Four mobile screens
- A detailed uncertain-text correction state
If you want more
Optional extensions
Optional direction
Visual resources
Use these as a starting constraint if you want one. They are not part of the required solution.
Theory to review
UX principles for this brief
Use these as decision lenses, then validate the design with the people and context in the brief.
