Concept
R3 is the most comprehensive assistant for anyone working towards a greener tomorrow. With this app, users will learn to recycle smarter as well as provide greater involvement with their local communities. R3 will provide a comprehensive list of recyclable and non-recyclable items and enhance a user’s personal knowledge of living green. It will ease and assist its users into greener practices. R3 provides a brand-new experience and perspective to the values of “reduce, reuse, recycle”.
Tools:
Adobe XD,
Adobe Illustrator
My Role:
UX Architect
Problem
9 out 10 people say they would recycle if 'it was easier'. Results from existing user interviews suggest that most people do not separate waste and the ones who do it, do not do it the right way. Data shows that 75% of waste in the United States is recyclable but we only recycle about 30%. This means that roughly 50% of our waste ends up in landfills, 53% in 2015 according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Research
Comparative/Competitive Analysis
I began the research phase with a comparative/competitive analysis by condensing each competitor's page structure to the features users would make the most use out of. I wanted to understand the weaknesses and strengths of R3 compared to other competing applications like Recycle Nation and My Waste. After comparing these features I noticed that most recycling applications that are currently available lack crucial information. While R3 shares a few key features with other apps such as a database search and location-based drop-off locator, R3 will be the only app to use GPS tracking as well as incorporate guides and references to their local policies which in turn will improve local recycling efforts. These important features along with the Volunteer Reference Guide make R3 a unique player in the recycling app field.
User Personas
Angela
28 y.o
Angela is a working mother of two who is very conscious about how her actions have an impact on the people around her and on the planet. Since having children she has had to adapt to a busy lifestyle and is looking for quick and simple ways she can contribute to reducing her carbon footprint but she is confused by the separation of waste.
Goal:
Reduce waste in her home and recycle everything she can.
Challenge:
Helping Angela understand different kinds of waste and where they go with simple explanations in the shortest time possible.
Ryan
22 y.o.
Ryan is a student at the University of Central Florida. He believes that climate change is a current threat to the planet and feels a personal responsibility to do what he can to help. The dorms at the university do not recycle their waste and he does not know any locations where he can drop off his plastic in this city.
Goals:
To find places close to him where he can recycle his plastic.
Challenges:
Gathering and listing all locations nearby so that Ryan is able to find directions to the closest drop- offs near him.
Solution
R3 targets the user who feels that it is "hard" to recycle and who has access to a smart phone or smart device. R3 is bringing information on demand that relieves the cognitive load for users who feel they have a responsibility to the planet and their communities yet they are overwhelmed or confused by the process.
Structuring Information Architecture
We begin the design phase by creating a flowchart of the interface system and its prominent features. The primary feature of the app is the ability to find local recycling centers by the product you are trying to recycle. Users can manually search for their item or scan a barcode present on the recyclable material, and the R3 database will return a map with recycling centers near you that accept that type of material. The search engine can even be used to find recycling volunteer opportunities. The secondary feature is the R3 database itself, which presents users with information on their specific recyclables impact on the environment, as well as information on how to reuse and recycle that specific material. The app also features a monthly calendar with local recycling events and R3 related events.
Sketches, Lo-Fi Wireframes, Prototype & Usability Tests
With the user goals in mind, after deliberating on the features that will be included in the initial design I begin the sketching process. I then created in Adobe XD the early Lo-Fi wireframes that were then tested.
Sketches
Lo-Fi Wireframe
The consensus while testing the wireframes was overall positive. I did receive user feedback that allowed me to implement new changes such as: adjusting the barcode scanner to also offer QR code scanning and give users the option to write out their barcode numbers instead of scanning, adding interactive buttons to the maps, a colored key to the calendar events and a hovering button on the home page to reach the scanner.
Style Guide
For the style guide I chose colors and fonts which will make the interface look clean and modern. Green is the main color in this application as it resembles earth and nature, shades of green were added to certain elements as well as a pop of color with orange for the interactive buttons.
Results
Hi-Fi Wireframes & Mobile Mockup
After I implemented all of the new changes I was able to design the first version of the prototype. I kept all of the features and designs that received positive feedback for the final versions of the app.
Hi-Fi Prototype
Delivery
