Application must haves

• Checkout process of some sort

• Aim to bring new users to the application

• Clear on-boarding process

Approach

When approaching this project, I followed the 5 stages of the Design-Thinking Process. The design thinking process is not as linear as it may seem; the steps overlap and repeat themselves to be extremely useful in finding the users' needs and testing throughout the process. 

In conjunction with the Design-Thinking Process, I implemented a UX Design Process which you will follow below in Process.

PROCESS

EMPATHIZE

1. RESEARCH OUTCOMES

Survey

To begin my research I sent out a simple survey via Google forms to find out what the average American does in their daily routine in consideration to issues facing our planet. I wanted get a broad overview of what they care about and what they are willing to change in their lives to help the planet. I discovered a majority of my survey takers go thrift shopping and wish to buy less from unsustainable, fast-fashion shops.

One-on-one interviews

After getting a broad overview of the average American’s views on issues facing our planet, I dove deeper by conducting six, one-on-one interviews. The goal of these interviews was to gather pivotal insights of the users in-order-to get clarity on what direction to take this project.

This was a crucial part of my research to understand if and/or how the average American factors sustainability into their shopping decisions. This helped me to begin affinity mapping where I picked out shoppers pain points and needs when shopping more sustainably.

Secondary Research

• The volume of clothing that Americans throw away each year has doubled in the last 20 years, from 7 million to 14 million tons.

• In 2018, 17 million tons of textile waste ended up in landfills, according to data from the Environmental Protection Agency, making up 5.8 percent of the total MSW (municipal solid waste) generation that year.

• According to the World Resources Institute, it takes 2,700 liters of water to make one cotton shirt.

• Textiles can take up to 200+ years to decompose in landfills

DEFINE

2. STRATEGY

Affinity Mapping

Affinity mapping is extremely helpful in my process. In affinity mapping I make an in-depth assessment of my research and decipher my research into themes, which helps me draw out insights and determine the priorities of the product. Affinity mapping was the most important step in this project specifically because it helped me draw out prominent pain points and needs of my users. Without this step I wouldn’t have been able to come up with a clear “Problem Statement.”

The Problem

“Our average American has the problem that when trying to shop sustainably, they don’t know where to go or if they are going to find what they need, so they end up picking a fast fashion option. Our solution should deliver a simple to use option to find sustainable clothing the user wants and needs.”

User Needs

Based on information from insights during research, personas and a user flow were created to reveal user needs and pain points to guide me in creating a design.

Personas

I created two personas in order to understand and empathize with my users. With personas I did an in-depth analysis of who my key audience is, and it was here that I was able to uncover their biggest needs and pain points when shopping. This step was extremely helpful in understanding my users and where I became very passionate in my users pain points.

User Flow

Next I created a user flow to display the product’s path. I knew this would be a complicated product in order to suffice the users needs, so having a user flow was beneficial to my process. Creating a user flow at the beginning of the process helped me begin creating with a better sense of direction even if that means the flow will be altered throughout the process.

Solution

Thrifting is one of the best ways for our users to lighten their impact as a consumer.

Donating: When our users donate their clothes, they’re are saving the environment from a lot of harm. Clothing that sits in landfills releases toxic greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane into the environment when they break down. Doing a good deed like donating old clothing will make our users feel good because they’re doing something for a worthy cause, but also getting rid of the clutter in their homes and helping others at the same time.

IDEATE

Sketching

Next, I began sketching with my users needs in mind. My goal was to create a solution that would answer the average American’s biggest pain points when trying to shop and donate sustainably. A product that helps users find second-hand shops near them, with details about the shop, would help the user make a meaningful and sustainable trip every time they go out shopping.

DESIGN

3. WIREFRAMING

After sketching I began creating medium-fidelity wireframes of the product based on my user flow diagram to better guide my users for usability testing.

PROTOTYPE / TEST

4. USABILITY TESTING

Once my medium-fidelity wireframes were complete I began user testing. I decided to do user testing with the medium-fidelity wireframes so I could get an early reading of what was working with users. After testing, I noted the user’s frustrations and expectations going into the product then made the proper adjustments going forward.

The UI of the product did not connect with the user. The users want to see styling connected to the sustainability of the product. But, the concept of the product made my user very excited as a lot of them do thrift shop or have used to thrift shops and have felt shame behind it. They believe this application would give them the confidence to shop there, especially knowing how it positively affects the environment.

“Growing up my mom took me to the Thrift Shop when back to school shopping, I felt ashamed that we couldn’t afford the shops in the mall. Now I am a mother, and I want my children to feel empowered shopping second-hand when back to school shopping.” 

-Quote from user test

5. FINAL UI

THRIFT was re-designed after user testing have a confident, feel-good and friendly feeling, designed with the users needs in mind throughout. It consists of images relating to environmental factors juxtaposed with a clean and friendly color scheme.

Mobile Product

THRIFT Mobile Prototype

Tablet Product

*Look Back