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Garbage Recycling System
We worked with a startup company, who aimed to develop a recycable garbage business in Shanghai. We gave them advice on design perspectives to guide their early stage business.
DATE
Mar. - May. 2019
10 weeks
Internship
Field
Product Design
UX Research
Early Stage Business
Team
Nine people
Multiciplinary background
Client
A Startup Company
In Garbage Processing
Role
Engage in business model discussion and market research.
Conduct user study and design the interaction system, i.e. how people interact with smart bin and the use of mobile app.
Design and prototype app interface based on required functions.
00 \ OVERVIEW
As design consultants, we conducted user study, process analysis and provided early stage design prototype to help guide this startup company to develop their business.
User Study
(Empathy)
Jouneral Map Analysis
Focus + Ideate
Interaction Process
App Features
Wireframe + Prototype
Overview
01 \ USER STUDY
We applied real life observation to identify user behaviors and find potential problems.
Due to time limit and arrangement issues, we did not conduct surveys or interviews. However, observation reveals people real actions, which is valid to understand user behavior.
We conducted observation in the campus of Shanghai Jiao Tong University and three neighbourhoods with two of them having the yellow dog system (小黄狗). Based on our observation, typical problems are identified and supported by online researches. Following are some the key take aways from the observation and research.
Key Insights
People usually do not classify garbage at home, and have no awareness about how to classify. [have been solved by Shanghai's regulation]
People do not want to stay beside the garbage bin for too long. If the garbage bin they tend to throw is full, they probably would throw the garbage into the nearest empty bin and do not care about the classification.
The current smart bin system (yellow dog 小黄狗) in the market is complicated and time consuming. People sometimes are not willing to spend much time in order to get limited rewards.
People periodically throw garbage and the bin could be easily filled in a short time period, for example in friday afternoon on campus and after dinner in neighbourhoods.
01
04
02
03
Key Experience Principles
Convenience
Automation
For smart bin, interaction steps should be minimized to allow residents throwing garbage as quick as possible.
Garbage should have automatic openning and closing function. It free users' hands and avoid user to directly touch the garbage bin.
Real time feedback of the garbage bin status should be provided in order to notice workers to empty the bin in time.
Provide meaningful rewards to motivate users action of classifying garbages.
Feedback
Rewards
User study
02 \ JOURNAL MAP
We started from discussing the journal map from all three aspect - residents, residential property management, transportation/ waste disposal company.
Journal Map
03 \ FOCUS & IDEATION
Starting from the resident end, we discussed and determined how user interact with the smart bin, and the involvement of mobile phones.
Key Objectives
Reduce the process and time when throwing garbage. (within 20 seconds)
Increase user experience while doing garbage classification.
Smart bin obtains interactive functionality
(automatic opening, measuring weight, sound notification)
Provide notification and feedback on app after users throw the garbage.
Users are able to track the status.
Give rewards to users (credits / money back)
Focus & Ideation
04 \ INTERACTION PROCESS
USER
SMART BIN
MOBILE PHONE
deliver garbage
Interaction
transmit data
give feedback
data stored in Cloud
users earn credits and exchange for vouchers
The system enables users to complete the task within 20 seconds.
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SMART BIN
USER
Step 2 (3 secs):
Garbage bin automatically opens for selected garbage type
Step 4 (3 secs):
Garbage bin automatically closes
+ measure the weight
Data upload to Cloud
Step 1 (10 secs):
Input the room number & select a garbage type
[ on the screen of the smart bin ]
Step 3 (3 secs):
Throw garbage into the bin
Data transmit to App
Step 5:
Receive notification on mobile phone
Interaction process
05 \ APP FEATURES
We discussed about what functions and features should be included in the mobile app based on key objectives. We make family members share one account.
Key Features
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Show the information of the garbage (throwing time, weight, type)
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Earn credits
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Exchange credits for rewards (voucher)
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Track the transportation status (transparent info, giving people a sense of control)
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View garbage classification (give people suggestion on classification)
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View former history
Site Map
Based on key features and functions, I then created a site map to organize pages and informations. This provides a clear navigation of the mobile app.
App features
06 \ WIREFRAME & PROTOTYPE
Low Fidelity Sketch
Interface Design
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Follow App design standards to adjust the page struture.
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Adjust the font size in the range of 20-32 to improve readability.
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Reduce redundent infomation to improve simplicity.
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Change the use of color and structure of information to guide users focus.
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Use round corner shape to increase visual appeal.
Iteration
Design Specifications
Design Specifications
Wireframe Redesign
UI Design
Users can view their recent records on the home page.
By clicking each record, users can see detail information including transportation status of the garbage.
If users have a credit deduction, they can expand and view the photo evidence and the reason.
Early histories are saved for users to view and summarize their contirubutions.
Since there is no product in the market can records garbage data for individuals/families. It is meaningful for this app to provide those numbers for users to have a better sense of their life.
User are able to view early histories and get a sense of their contributions.
Account page
Users can view their personal information and total credits on this page.
They can exchange credits for voucher through "exchange", and view vouchers they already have.
Knowledge of garbage classification is also provided.
Account page
Histories are recorded based on month period.
Voucher page
Demonstration
Wireframe & Prototype
Rethink
07 \ RETHINK
What I got:
Further Improvement:
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An experience of appling design thinking process and user centered design methodolgy in real life business case.
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A good team work experience with people having multi-disciplinary background (industrial design, UX design, mechanical/computer engineering, marketing).
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An understanding of how to create a business from the very beginning.
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Due to time limit and regulation issues, we did not conduct surveys or interviews to understand how people think and their opinions. However, these methods should be applied in future product development.
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User test needs to be done to get feedback from customers and further improve the design and the product.
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As shanghai has a new regulation of garbage classification, people's attitudes and behaviors may be different, and new user studies need to be done in order to better design products.
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