SCOPE
End-end Prototype
TIMELINE
6 weeks
INVOVLEMENT
User Research, Ideation, Branding, Wireframing, Prototype
YEAR
2024
PROBLEM
Many people struggle with understanding what items are recyclable, compostable, or classified as hazardous waste. This confusion often leads to improper waste disposal, reducing the effectiveness of recycling programs and contributing to environmental pollution. Additionally, the products that could have been recycled but weren't are now going to contribute more to landfills rather than helping the environment.
GOAL
Create a mobile app to simplify the recycling process. Make it easy to properly identify recyclable, compostable, and hazardous waste items. Provide easy-to-use tools for tracking recycling habits and progress. And overall implement ways to improve the recycling and waste disposal practices of those who want to contribute to a more sustainable environment.
DESIGN PROCESS
I began by focusing on the problem: what makes recycling confusing and the hurdles people encounter. Through user interviews and surveys, I found that many recyclable items have misleading symbols—some can only be recycled at specific facilities, and others have requirements that vary by item. I then conducted a competitor analysis to assess current solutions, pinpointing strengths and weaknesses. With these insights, I organized my findings and created an MVP, then moved on to sketching and wireframing the app.
Once functionality was set, I transitioned to visual design, selecting a cohesive color scheme, fonts, and icons for a consistent app look, inspired by competitors and user preferences. Usability testing followed, where real users provided feedback on the app’s functionality and experience. I refined the design based on this input, conducting further testing to confirm the app effectively solved the problem.
KEY CHALLENGES
One key challenge in creating the app was ensuring accurate item identification. Existing solutions had issues, like barcode scanners that often failed to pull up the correct item or lacked info on where and how to recycle properly. Many recyclables don’t have barcodes, which limits options. I addressed this by integrating AI for item recognition, adding a description and recycling steps to guide users effectively.
Another challenge was enabling users to track their recycling impact. I introduced 'impact cards' that appear when milestones are hit, showing users their contribution and the items they recycled to achieve it. User testing showed this feature positively impacted users' recycling habits, motivating them to continue contributing to a sustainable environment.
SUMMARY
This project required a structured approach, starting with audience research and a deep competitor analysis, followed by designing wireframes and prototypes to ensure a UX focused on solving the core problem. User feedback refined the design, aligning it with actual needs. Key takeaways include the value of competitor analysis—not only does user research reveal needs, but examining other apps’ UX flaws helps avoid similar missteps. Using diverse user research methods provides a fuller perspective, enabling the creation of an app that stands out by prioritizing the user experience.
View the Complete Presentation
Reach out to mattkhous@gmail.com to access the complete case study slide deck
SCOPE
End-end Prototype
TIMELINE
6 weeks
INVOVLEMENT
User Research, Ideation, Branding, Wireframing, Prototype
YEAR
2024
PROBLEM
Many people struggle with understanding what items are recyclable, compostable, or classified as hazardous waste. This confusion often leads to improper waste disposal, reducing the effectiveness of recycling programs and contributing to environmental pollution. Additionally, the products that could have been recycled but weren't are now going to contribute more to landfills rather than helping the environment.
GOAL
Create a mobile app to simplify the recycling process. Make it easy to properly identify recyclable, compostable, and hazardous waste items. Provide easy-to-use tools for tracking recycling habits and progress. And overall implement ways to improve the recycling and waste disposal practices of those who want to contribute to a more sustainable environment.
DESIGN PROCESS
I began by focusing on the problem: what makes recycling confusing and the hurdles people encounter. Through user interviews and surveys, I found that many recyclable items have misleading symbols—some can only be recycled at specific facilities, and others have requirements that vary by item. I then conducted a competitor analysis to assess current solutions, pinpointing strengths and weaknesses. With these insights, I organized my findings and created an MVP, then moved on to sketching and wireframing the app.
Once functionality was set, I transitioned to visual design, selecting a cohesive color scheme, fonts, and icons for a consistent app look, inspired by competitors and user preferences. Usability testing followed, where real users provided feedback on the app’s functionality and experience. I refined the design based on this input, conducting further testing to confirm the app effectively solved the problem.
KEY CHALLENGES
One key challenge in creating the app was ensuring accurate item identification. Existing solutions had issues, like barcode scanners that often failed to pull up the correct item or lacked info on where and how to recycle properly. Many recyclables don’t have barcodes, which limits options. I addressed this by integrating AI for item recognition, adding a description and recycling steps to guide users effectively.
Another challenge was enabling users to track their recycling impact. I introduced 'impact cards' that appear when milestones are hit, showing users their contribution and the items they recycled to achieve it. User testing showed this feature positively impacted users' recycling habits, motivating them to continue contributing to a sustainable environment.
SUMMARY
This project required a structured approach, starting with audience research and a deep competitor analysis, followed by designing wireframes and prototypes to ensure a UX focused on solving the core problem. User feedback refined the design, aligning it with actual needs. Key takeaways include the value of competitor analysis—not only does user research reveal needs, but examining other apps’ UX flaws helps avoid similar missteps. Using diverse user research methods provides a fuller perspective, enabling the creation of an app that stands out by prioritizing the user experience.
View the Complete Presentation
Reach out to mattkhous@gmail.com to access the complete case study slide deck
SCOPE
End-end Prototype
TIMELINE
6 Weeks
INVOLVEMENT
User Research, Ideation, Branding, Wireframing, Prototype
YEAR
2024
PROBLEM
Many people struggle with understanding what items are recyclable, compostable, or classified as hazardous waste. This confusion often leads to improper waste disposal, reducing the effectiveness of recycling programs and contributing to environmental pollution. Additionally, the products that could have been recycled but weren't are now going to contribute more to landfills rather than helping the environment.
GOAL
Create a mobile app to simplify the recycling process. Make it easy to properly identify recyclable, compostable, and hazardous waste items. Provide easy-to-use tools for tracking recycling habits and progress. And overall implement ways to improve the recycling and waste disposal practices of those who want to contribute to a more sustainable environment.
DESIGN PROCESS
I began by focusing on the problem: what makes recycling confusing and the hurdles people encounter. Through user interviews and surveys, I found that many recyclable items have misleading symbols—some can only be recycled at specific facilities, and others have requirements that vary by item. I then conducted a competitor analysis to assess current solutions, pinpointing strengths and weaknesses. With these insights, I organized my findings and created an MVP, then moved on to sketching and wireframing the app.
Once functionality was set, I transitioned to visual design, selecting a cohesive color scheme, fonts, and icons for a consistent app look, inspired by competitors and user preferences. Usability testing followed, where real users provided feedback on the app’s functionality and experience. I refined the design based on this input, conducting further testing to confirm the app effectively solved the problem.
KEY CHALLENGES
One key challenge in creating the app was ensuring accurate item identification. Existing solutions had issues, like barcode scanners that often failed to pull up the correct item or lacked info on where and how to recycle properly. Many recyclables don’t have barcodes, which limits options. I addressed this by integrating AI for item recognition, adding a description and recycling steps to guide users effectively.
Another challenge was enabling users to track their recycling impact. I introduced 'impact cards' that appear when milestones are hit, showing users their contribution and the items they recycled to achieve it. User testing showed this feature positively impacted users' recycling habits, motivating them to continue contributing to a sustainable environment.
SUMMARY
This project required a structured approach, starting with audience research and a deep competitor analysis, followed by designing wireframes and prototypes to ensure a UX focused on solving the core problem. User feedback refined the design, aligning it with actual needs. Key takeaways include the value of competitor analysis—not only does user research reveal needs, but examining other apps’ UX flaws helps avoid similar missteps. Using diverse user research methods provides a fuller perspective, enabling the creation of an app that stands out by prioritizing the user experience.
View the Complete Presentation
Reach out to mattkhous@gmail.com to access the complete case study slide deck