i-Kfz: Digital Vehicle Document for Germany
First App in Germany to Achieve 100% BITV Certification at German Federal Standard — Over 1 Million Downloads
I conceived and pitched the i-Kfz digital vehicle document concept to the German Ministry of Transport, winning the client through strategic workshops. Over 2 years, I led the transformation from a 6-person team to 64 members, built the design system from scratch, and achieved full BITV certification — making i-Kfz the first app in Germany to be certified 100% accessible at the German federal standard. The result: 1M+ active users, 1,000+ five-star reviews specifically praising the intuitive design from users who typically struggle with technology, and a new benchmark for accessible government digital services.
The Challenge
Creating a digital identity solution that would serve millions of German citizens — from tech-savvy millennials to elderly users who find apps challenging. When I conceived and pitched this to the Ministry of Transport, the goal was clear: reach 1 million+ users within 2 years while achieving full BITV 2.0 accessibility certification. The real challenge? Making it so intuitive that users who openly admit they 'are bad at using apps' would praise the design.
Approach
From Concept to Million Users: (1) Pitched to Ministry of Transport - Won the client through strategic demonstrations and think tanks. (2) Started with 6 - Initial core team established project vision. (3) Grew to 64 - Scaled the entire project team over 2 years. (4) Led 4 - Built and managed a design team within the system architecture. (5) Reached 1,000,000+ - Users successfully onboarded with 1,000+ praising the intuitive experience. Throughout, I created a dual-platform design system from scratch, established data-driven feedback loops closely tied to developers, and facilitated EU and German workshops for journey mapping while maintaining strategic oversight.
Solution
- 1M+ downloads achieved within target timeframe
- 1,000+ positive reviews specifically about design usability and ease of use
- Grew team from 6 to 64 people over 2 years while maintaining design excellence
- Conceived, pitched, and won the Ministry as client through strategic workshops
- First fully BITV-certified app at this scale in Germany
- Successfully served users who typically 'hate using apps'
- Built comprehensive design system from scratch for unified iOS and Android experience
- Led and mentored a design team of 4 working within the system architecture
Project Timeline
Apr 2021: Initial Phase
Conception & Client Win
Conceived and pitched i-Kfz concept to Ministry of Transport. Won client through strategic demonstrations and workshops. Established project vision and team of 6. Set goal: 1M+ users within 2 years.
2021-2022: Foundation
Research & Design System
Conducted extensive user testing with diverse groups including elderly and disabled citizens. Built comprehensive design system from scratch. Facilitated EU and German workshops for journey mapping. Team grew from 6 to 64 people.
2022: Scaling Phase
Team Leadership & Growth
Led design team of 4 designers. Established data-driven feedback loops with development. Scaled operations while maintaining design excellence across iOS and Android. Focused on inclusive onboarding for users who struggle with apps.
Jun 2023: Launch & Success
1M+ Users & Full BITV Certification
Achieved 1M+ active users. Received 1,000+ five-star reviews praising intuitive design. Secured full BITV 2.0 certification. Recognized as Germany's first fully accessible government app at this scale.
User Voice
Over 1,000 reviews specifically mention the user-friendly design and intuitive interface
"Finally, a government app that works!"
— iOS User
"My 75-year-old mother could use it without help"
— Verified Review
"The design is so intuitive, even I managed!"
— Self-described 'tech-hater'
"Best onboarding I've ever experienced"
— Google Play Review
Gallery
Clear Data Dashboard
Comprehensive overview of vehicle data with visual hierarchy and smart categorization for effortless information management.
Cross-Platform Design
System design optimized for diverse platforms including Android and iOS, ensuring consistent user experience across all devices.
Accessibility First
Fully compliant with BITV 2.0 accessibility standards, achieving 100% certification for inclusive digital access.
Smart Assistant Integration
Innovative voice-guided assistance with intuitive data visualization, making vehicle information instantly accessible and easy to understand.
Success by Numbers
Experience the Design Yourself
Experience the user-friendly design of the i-Kfz app for yourself.
Reflection
i-Kfz showed that accessibility isn't just a compliance checkbox — it's the foundation for design that serves everyone. By centering users who typically struggle with apps, we created an experience that delighted all 1M+ users, proving that inclusive design is simply great design.
Interested in working together?
Let's discuss how I can help your organisation design trustworthy, accessible AI experiences across sectors.