Don8: A Sustainable Shopping App
CHI 2022 Competition, September 2022 - December 2022
In SMAD 317, we were given the task to choose one out of twelve sustainable goals from the United Nations and create an app with high-fidelity prototyping, along with collected UX research. Collaborating with three other teammates, we were able to create the app, Don8. It is an app that connects and encourages users to live sustainably.
Overview
Sustainable Goal 12
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Our team decided to tackle the twelfth goal of the sustainable development goals. It state that “unsustainable patterns of consumption and production are the root cause of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution [2],” which can be found on the United Nations webpage.
To address our society's issue of overconsumption, we developed the Don8 app, aiming to remove barriers to reusing and sustainability. Don8 facilitates efficient item donations by providing information on nearby donation sites, their needs, and preparation guidelines. Users can schedule pickups, find yard or estate sales, and even advertise their own events. The app allows filtering based on proximity, item acceptance, and pickup services, with the goal of breaking down barriers in the donation process and combating overconsumption's impact on the world.
Our Goal
Design Problem Statement
We conducted user research on people who were familiar with donating to thrift stores. The participants were diverse, ranging from ages 18-45, including college students and thrift store employees. We identified primary users by contacting personal connections and extended our reach to James Madison University students and individuals outside Harrisonburg. Additionally, we interviewed stakeholders from local thrift stores to gather insights for building a system to enhance the donation process. In total, we interviewed 9 users and 2 stakeholders. To analyze the data, we utilized an affinity map, categorizing information on participants' biographies, frustrations, needs/wants, goals/motivations, and technological issues.
As we move forward in the digital age, users need a better online presence when it comes to sustainable shopping so that they can quickly share information on local consignment places near them.
User Research
Primary Persona
Affinity Map
High-Fidelity Prototype
User Task: Sign up for an account
Usability Testing
Most users provided positive feedback on our prototype, emphasizing its simplicity and intuitiveness. Tasks were completed quickly (10-20 seconds per task), and users easily recognized the app's purpose as a donation platform. In order to enhance our design, we considered the feedback we received and made necessary improvements.
Positive Feedback:
Iconography: One user reported that the yard sale sign icon was not clear on the bottom navigation. They pointed to the icon and stated “I don’t know what that is.”
Clarity: Users struggled with where they are supposed to enter dates in the task of filtering. They also struggled with where to enter their address in the map task.
Placement: Users were unable to see some of the icons and buttons on the top right corner.
Navigation: On the pickup task, users were immediately prompted to allow or deny using their location, but there was no button to reach that point. One user said “is this where it starts?”
What Needs Improvement:
Task/Flow 1 - Make an account/sign up: We could add an autofill feature for returning users.
Task/Flow 2 - Plan a drop off: we should add drop off and pick up to the navigation. We could add a page with a drop down menu that has the option to drop off or pickup and then the user will be prompted to pick a date to complete that action.
Task/Flow 3 - Filter search results: We can add more options for filtering.
Task/Flow 4 - Promote a yard sale: We can move the plus icon lower so it is easier for users to see.
Task/Flow 5 - Setting up notifications: We can add a small icon on the listing of the stores for a “quick notification pop-up”
Task/Flow 6 - Find a store nearby by entering your location: Make it more clear where to type in an address and where to change from list view and map view. Also we could add different modes of transportation like walking.