How to reduce waste of home-goods on Cornell’s Campus?
︎Category: UX/UI
︎Type: Academic (Group)
︎Time: 2 weeks
︎Skills: Human Computer Interaction, User Testing, Figma Prototype
︎Type: Academic (Group)
︎Time: 2 weeks
︎Skills: Human Computer Interaction, User Testing, Figma Prototype
︎Why?
Every spring, 3000+ graduating students move out of campus housing, and another wave of freshman students move in. On one side, graduates are dumping reusable houseware and furniture due to time restraints; on the other, new students are scrambling to furnish their dormitories within budget.
Home products, (such as sofas, work desks, lamps, bookshelves, etc.) with the lifespan of 20+ years are reduced to < 4 years of use in college.
Why?
Every spring, 3000+ graduating students move out of campus housing, and another wave of freshman students move in. On one side, graduates are dumping reusable houseware and furniture due to time restraints; on the other, new students are scrambling to furnish their dormitories within budget.
Home products, (such as sofas, work desks, lamps, bookshelves, etc.) with the lifespan of 20+ years are reduced to < 4 years of use in college.
︎
How?
Challenge
Design a faster and easier way for Cornell students to buy and sell their used items, to coordinate transactions and delivery, and get rid of a reusable item in a sustainable way.
Design a faster and easier way for Cornell students to buy and sell their used items, to coordinate transactions and delivery, and get rid of a reusable item in a sustainable way.
Outcome
A end-to-end service between buyer and sellers: a digital marketplace that handles fulfillment logistics and a physical distribution operation.
A end-to-end service between buyer and sellers: a digital marketplace that handles fulfillment logistics and a physical distribution operation.
︎ Trends
In 2013, the Cornell Campus reused, repurposed, and diverted 57 tonnes of surplus furnitures and household items from landfills. Considering 1 tonne as 2000 lbs or the approximate weight of a Volkswagen Beetle, this record reflects the quantity of household furniture/goods transactions within the Cornell community of 20,000+ students on and off campus. These transactions are caused by waves of students moving-in and out.
︎ Research Insights
Gap between intention and action.
While many believe the principles of reuse, logistical challenges due to the move-out timeline that prevent users from successfully selling, causing items to be thrown out and triggering disappointment in self. Some common logistical challenges emerged during a user journey analysis.
Insights from user interviews of 20 Cornell students were mapped in an affinity diagram (right).
While many believe the principles of reuse, logistical challenges due to the move-out timeline that prevent users from successfully selling, causing items to be thrown out and triggering disappointment in self. Some common logistical challenges emerged during a user journey analysis.
Insights from user interviews of 20 Cornell students were mapped in an affinity diagram (right).
Match demand and supply timeline.
Furniture, books, and appliances are among the top 3 most popular items to buy second-hand. At the same time, these items are the most common in college dorms.
Furniture, books, and appliances are among the top 3 most popular items to buy second-hand. At the same time, these items are the most common in college dorms.
Hybrid digital-physical service.
Most solutions are either purely digital or physical. Digital solutions build networks exponentially, but is unhelpful with physical transactions. Physical stores often have pick-up and delivery services, but have limited network of buyers and sellers.
Most solutions are either purely digital or physical. Digital solutions build networks exponentially, but is unhelpful with physical transactions. Physical stores often have pick-up and delivery services, but have limited network of buyers and sellers.
︎ Persona & Product Map
︎ User Testing & Paper Prototype
Buy
Sell
Coordinate
Store
︎ User Testing & Paper Prototype
- On-boarding information about Store & Sell to explain its use and the process of registering for it
- Changing the name of the filter “Location” to “Distance” for clarity
- Insert more confirmation pages after posting or buying
- After posting, the next screen should be directed to the “Landing” tab
︎
What?
Lean Marketplace
The simplest configuration of the buying experience: search, buy, to chat coordination. Search algorithm is limited by useful preferences, such as condition and distance from buyer. Favorite feature is used to inform future recommendations and empower buyers to pick & choose. Chat feature to streamline coordination.
Store & Sell
With a flip of the switch, user lands on the seller side: post, track listings, to chat coordination. The core of the application revolves the “Store & Sell” feature, a hybrid digital and physical distribution service, that enables sellers flexibility in finding buyers. An item can be stored for 30 days as an active listing before our service sells or donates it to partners.
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What’s Next?
We propose to work with Cornell ReUse intiative, digitalizing their inventory and auction process, dump&run process. Look forward to collaborating with local ReUse centers for pick up and drop off efforts and labour resources.
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