Calmpost
2023
Challenge
On a team of six in GBDA302: Global Digital Project 2 at the University of Waterloo, we were tasked to design a digital product that targets an area of sustainability. We decided to design a smart compost bin and prototype its integrated app, focusing on diminishing food waste and incentivizing composting.
Outcome
High-fidelity prototype of a composting application
Skills Used
Figma, Research, Summative Writing, Communication, Collaboration, Ideation
My Role
Usability Expert
The Process
Stage 1: Empathize
The initial inspiration for our composting solution stemmed from the lacklustre waste management systems and lack of composting in student housing entirely in Waterloo. We recognized the importance of educating people on the impact of improper waste management and provide a solution through easy-to-operate, compact, in-home composting.
Stage 2: Define
The problem with food waste is as food decomposes, methane and carbon dioxide are produced, which contributes largely to greenhouse gas emissions and is heating our planet, rapidly accelerating climate change. People are not adequately educated on correct waste management methods, what a best before date really means, and how to manage their food in a sustainable way.
The problem
2023
User Persona
2023
Stage 3: Ideate
Our product consists of a physical bin and mobile app to make composting more seamless, engaging, and user-friendly. The bin comes with weighted bags that connect to the application, allowing the system to track the user’s progress toward meeting their composting goals and receiving rewards to local grocery stores, restaurants, and retail stores. The app will prompt the user to take a photo of the open compost bin; the reason for this is to conduct a manual image scan prior to receiving awards, which rejects non-biodegradable waste. This allows us to ensure that the user is composting correctly.
On the app, users can not only track their progress; in simple, short steps, users can learn how to compost and the rules associated with composting; this educational information is constantly accessible and allows users unfamiliar with composting to feel less overwhelmed. There would also be personalized tools and information for the user to access, such as compost pickup schedules and public composting spaces, as well as notifications on composting day and an interactive map of nearby public composting spaces.
Stage 4: Prototype
By identifying design requirements, we investigated various solutions and created a low fidelity prototype. See our process in our Milestone 2 report
Product mockup
2023
Stage 5: Test
We conducted 12 user interviews based on the general usability of our prototype and concept to identify issues. Our findings are addressed in our Milestone 3 report
Business Artifacts
To see our research collected from peer-reviewed papers on food waste, composting, customer loyalty programs, AI technology, and integrated systems, as well as, our business analysis and plan
