Human Centered Design
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Product Design
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AI Technology
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Sustainability
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Human Centered Design - Product Design - AI Technology - Sustainability -
ReUpkeep
How might we develop an accessible resource to achieve widespread adoption of recycling and upcycling clothes in Chicago?
For mobile users overwhelmed with unwanted clothes, ReUpkeep is a sustainable clothing waste management app that utilizes AI technology to streamline the recycling, up-cycling, and donation processes, making it easier than ever to reduce our environmental footprint and revolutionizing the way we handle clothing waste.
ReUpkeep is powered by advanced AI models that can accurately identify any article of clothing from a photo. By answering a few simple questions, users can receive an assessment of the item's remaining lifespan. Based on this evaluation, our sophisticated scanner provides tailored recommendations for sustainably disposing of or repurposing the garment, ensuring environmentally responsible choices.
Overview
My creative process is adaptable to the unique demands of each project, following a structured progression: inquiry and research, concept and narrative development, and iterative refinement through feedback.
For this project, the goal was to identify and solve a human problem using the Human-Centered Design process—a method that aligns well with my own creative approach. Key elements included thorough research, continuous usability testing, and collaborative group workshops that drove innovation throughout the ideation process.
Project Details
Project Duration: 10 weeks
Collaborators: Ammar Alghamdi; Samhita Nulu
Key Takeaways
utilizing human-centered design methodology
developing a user flow
various empathizing workshops for understanding users
interactive wireframes
Inquiry & Research
Research Question: How might we develop an accessible resource to achieve widespread adoption of recycling and upcycling clothes in Chicago?
Quantitative Research
Survey
Qualitative Research
Interviews
To better understand people's existing knowledge of up-cycling, recycling, and donating clothes, our team conducted both quantitative and qualitative primary research across various age groups and levels of sustainability awareness. This research was essential for gaining insights into the behaviors and attitudes of our potential users.
Primary Research
Secondary Research
Competitor Analysis
Benchmarking
“But I think people have a fear, if people don’t upcycle, I think it’s just because they don’t feel they have the skill.”
Personas
Empathy Mapping
Concept & Narrative
Brainstorm
Concept & Concept Story
Our research synthesis involves interpreting user needs based on the collected data to inform the design solution. In this case, I identified three core pillars of user needs that emerged from the research. Once these key needs were defined, we used concepts from our brainstorming sessions to develop solutions that directly address them, ensuring alignment between user needs and our design outcomes.
User Flow
Iterations & Feedback
Wireframes
Prototype
Task One: Imagine you have an item of clothing you want to get rid of. Based on what you see, how would you navigate finding an answer of what to do with your item?
Task Two: You want to upcycle an item yourself but need inspiration, how would you go about finding resources for that?
Task Three: You want to upcycle an item with a local artist, how would you go about finding resources for that?
Challenges & Next Iteration
Throughout this design project, I not only learned to navigate solutions using a Human-Centered Design approach but also how to apply my storytelling background to enhance the project’s narrative. Reflecting on the process, I realized that while considering every detail in a user flow is important, simplicity often leads to a better user experience.
In the next iteration, my team and I plan to focus on training an AI model to fully execute the Scanner functionality we are aiming to implement within ReUpkeep.
