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YouCan
UI / UX | User Research | User Testing | Prototyping | 2023 | 15 weeks
YouCan is the app that makes recycling easy and rewarding. Find nearby recycling points, learn how to recycle, and connect with others to build a recycling community. Earn points for your efforts and help create a greener future!
Project info
Product goal
To make can recycling accessible and appealing for everyone.
Business goal
Businesses such as local governments, environmental organizations, and recycling centers can benefit by using the app to increase recycling rates, improve environmental sustainability, and enhance their community presence.
Problem
How might we encourage more people to recycle cans effectively?
Process
The process started with research to define the problem, user goals, and challenges. User personas and scenarios were created, followed by testing and iterations to make the final design.
Solution
What if we created a convenient and easy to use system, that simplified the whole recycling experience and proved how effortlessly you can get involved?
Discover, Find and Recycle!
Prototype
Press the phone to check out the prototype!
Prototype
Press the phone to check out the prototype!
Prototype
Press the phone to check out the prototype!
Prototype
Press the phone to check out the prototype!
The Process
Let's explore the various stages of the project, from the initial concept to the final outcome.
EMPATHIZE
Understand user’s needs through research.
DEFINE
Problem statement based on user insights.
DESIGN
The creation of visual designs, including tests improving
the system.
THE CAMPAIGN
The final design system of the campaign.
Perfecting the way you recycle your cans
This project addresses the common problem of limited awareness and access to can recycling, which results in low participation. The main goal is to find effective ways to encourage more people to recycle. The YouCan app aims to solve this by offering clear information and simple tools to make recycling easier, while promoting environmental care and building a community focused on sustainability.
2023
Lead Designer
The Process
Let's explore the various stages of the project, from the initial concept to the final outcome.
2023
Lead Designer
I want to recycle my cans, but I'm lost on where to start or where to take them. It feels like there should be a simple solution, but I just haven't found it yet.
02/28-23, Emma Vedin,
Business Student, Virginia State University
“I don’t want to study at home, but I never know where to go.”
03/15/23, Johanna Leth,
Engineering Student, UCSF San Francisco
image: Viktoria Leth
I'd recycle if there were bins closer to where I live or study, but I actually have no idea where they are.
03/03-23, Eric Parker,
Student at UNOH living on campus.
I want to recycle my cans, but I'm lost on where to start or where to take them. It feels like there should be a simple solution, but I just haven't found it yet.
02/28-23, David Harris,
Business Student, Virginia State University
I want to recycle my cans, but I'm lost on where to start or where to take them. It feels like there should be a simple solution, but I just haven't found it yet.
02/28-23, Sara Henning,
Business Student, Virginia State University
Defining the user
The target audience is tech-savvy college students and young adults in urban areas who value sustainability. They prefer convenient recycling solutions that align with their fast-paced lifestyle and are engaged through digital platforms and educational content that highlights easy, actionable recycling steps.
Resource Article: Why students are struggling to find study spots
2023
Lead Designer
"I want to recycle, but it needs to fit seamlessly into my day. Convenience
is key”
"I want to recycle, but it needs to fit seamlessly into my day. Convenience
is key”
Eric
The Busy One
Image
Motivation
100% Convenience
60%
Career/Salary
90% Environmental Impact
60% Community Engagement
90%
Future enjoyment
90% Educational Material
90%
Academic strength
Personality
Eric Parker, a 20-year-old college athlete, struggles to fit recycling into his busy sports schedule. He needs efficient solutions to manage his environmental goals alongside his sports commitments.
What's the purpose of recycling cans?
Key Areas to understand
Why should young people recycle?
Where can they recycle?
What are some current tools young adults are using to recycle?
What are the main problems young adults are facing today that prevent them from recycling?
Why do young people want to save money?
Where does most of a young adult's money go?
What are some current tools young adults are using to manage their money?
What are the main problems young adults are facing today that prevent them from managing their money?
Why do young people want to save money?
Where does most of a young adult's money go?
What are some current tools young adults are using to manage their money?
What are the main problems young adults are facing today that prevent them from managing their money?
Why should we recycle cans?
100%
Metal can be recycled.
92%
Of the material is used for new materials.
95%
Of recycled cans turn into new cans.
Consumer Recycling Rate
Consumer Recycling Rate
The highest recycling rate of all recycling material. For example, it is twice as high as the PET-bottle recycling rate. This rate measures the amount of aluminum can scrap recycled domestically as a percentage of cans available for recycling in the United States.
Value of material
Value of material
$800 million could be saved every year if all aluminum cans were recycled.
Recycled content
Recycled content
Aluminum cans stand only for 3% of the weight of all recycled material, which makes them economically efficient. Also, the low energy requirement for producing aluminum from recycled material—just 5% compared to new aluminum—significantly reduces the can's environmental footprint.
The Problem
As a user, I want to stay on the same platform when searching for recycling bins and plan my recycling activities from there.
As a user, I lack the time or motivation to search for accessible recycling locations.
As a user, I want to know more about a recycling spot, like its location and features, before deciding to go there.
Learnings based on research
Most people are aware that the lack of recycling is a huge problem in our society, considering the environmental impact and the potential for resource conservation. However, we don’t do it. Why?
Study conducted: Spring 2023, 20 participants
2023
Lead Designer
Convinience
Participants need more easily accessible recycling bins.
Bad Routines
Participants need a tool that helps them to change their bad routines.
Recycling Uncertainty
Participants need a tool that can educate them how and why to recycle.
Bad Influence
Participants need to influence one another to have more sustainable behaviors.
EMPATHIZE
Understand user’s needs through research.
DEFINE
Problem statement based on user insights.
DESIGN
The creation of visual designs, including tests improving
the system.
THE CAMPAIGN
The final design system of the campaign.
Wireframes and components
With all the research and info I gathered, it was time to start designing the app's crucial parts, like the main recycling info section and the community page. I thought about the different situations users might be in when using the app, whether they're in a hurry, on the bus, studying, or just relaxing at home, to make sure the app's design works well for them in any scenario.
Initial skteches
Medium Fidelity Wireframes
Feedback from user
During the design process, I consistently conducted user testing to gather feedback and observe user interactions with the product. In summary, most of the feedback had to do with time and convenience. For example, to make the search function even more convenient and easily accessible, I realized it was better to move down the search bar so that it is easier to reach.
"The search bar is hard to reach, so to save time it should be more easily accessible.”
03/16-23, Sara Henning,
Business Student, Virginia State University
"The search bar is hard to reach, so to save time it should be more easily accessible.”
03/16-23, Sara Henning,
Business Student, Virginia State University
Component Library
Let's look at the different components of the brand!
2023
Lead Designer
Logo
The logo represents what my brand is all about - simplicity and balance.
Typography
The typography represents what my brand is all about - simplicity and easy to understand.
Urbanist Bold
Urbanist Medium
Urbanist Regular
Urbanist Light
Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz
1234567890-=!@#$%^&*()_+
Color Palette
The colors represents what my brand is all about - simplicity and ease.
Icons
The icons represents what my brand is all about - simplicity and easy to understand.
Key Functionalities
Let's get a peek of the key functionalities in the app.
2023
Lead Designer
FIND
Find close-by recycling facilities in our recycling-map.
LEARN
Learn how to recycle.
CONNECT
Connect with others and help us create a recycling community.
Final Design
Takeaways
When I made YouCan, I knew that convenience is key. A simple and clean design helps users use the app easily and quickly. Clear visuals are also important because they help users save time by presenting financial information in a clear way. By providing users with easy accessible recycling maps, and a clear learning system, YouCan educate users how effortlessly you can get involved in our can recycling community.
2023
Lead Designer
SCROLL
SCROLL
YouCan
UI / UX | User Research | User Testing | Prototyping | 2023 | 15 weeks
YouCan is the app that makes recycling easy and rewarding. Find nearby recycling points, learn how to recycle, and connect with others to build a recycling community. Earn points for your efforts and help create a greener future!
Project info
Product goal
To make can recycling accessible and appealing for everyone.
Business goal
Businesses such as local governments, environmental organizations, and recycling centers can benefit by using the app to increase recycling rates, improve environmental sustainability, and enhance their community presence.
Problem
How might we encourage more people to recycle cans effectively?
Process
The process started with research to define the problem, user goals, and challenges. User personas and scenarios were created, followed by testing and iterations to make the final design.
Solution
What if we created a convenient and easy to use system, that simplified the whole recycling experience and proved how effortlessly you can get involved?
What's the purpose of recycling cans?
Key Areas to Understand
Why do young people want to save money?
Where does most of a young adult's money go?
What are some current tools young adults are using to manage their money?
What are the main problems young adults are facing today that prevent them from managing their money?
Why don't we recycle cans?
Perfecting the way you recycle your cans
Finding a good place to study can be hard and take a lot of time. StuSpot makes it easier by helping you find study spots that match your needs. My goal for the app was to create a simple design that makes it easy for everyone to find the right place to focus. Let’s hear what some students think about their study habits and preferences.
2023
Lead Designer
Defining the user
Urban and tech-savvy students aged 18-30, primarily undergraduates and graduates, seek cost-effective and efficient study solutions. They value convenience, utilize digital tools for information and networking, and are keen on innovative approaches to meet their social and study needs.
Resource Article: Why students are struggling to find study spots
2023
Lead Designer
Learnings based on research
Most people are aware that the lack of recycling is a huge problem in our society, considering the environmental impact and the potential for resource conservation. However, we don’t do it. Why?
Study conducted: Spring 2023, 38 participants
2023
Lead Designer
Eric
The Busy One
Image
Motivation
Efficiency
Time
Freedom
Money Growth
"I want to recycle, but it needs to fit seamlessly into my day. Convenience
is key”
Personality
Eric Parker, a 20-year-old college athlete, struggles to fit recycling into his busy sports schedule. He needs efficient solutions to manage his environmental goals alongside his sports commitments.
Convinience
Participants need more easily accessible recycling bins.
Recycling Uncertainty
Participants need a tool that can educate them how and why to recycle.
Bad Routines
Participants need a tool that helps them to change their bad routines.
Bad Influence
Participants need to influence one another to have more sustainable behaviors.
Wireframes and components
With all the research and info I gathered, it was time to start designing the app's crucial parts, like the main recycling info section and the community page. I thought about the different situations users might be in when using the app, whether they're in a hurry, on the bus, studying, or just relaxing at home, to make sure the app's design works well for them in any scenario.
Initial skteches
Medium fidelity wireframes
Feedback from user
During the design process, I consistently conducted user testing to gather feedback and observe user interactions with the product. In summary, most of the feedback had to do with time and convenience. For example, to make the search function even more convenient and easily accessible, I realized it was better to move down the search bar so that it is easier to reach.
Feedback from user
During the design process, I consistently conducted user testing to gather feedback and observe user interactions with the product. In summary, most of the feedback had to do with time and convenience. For example, to make the search function even more convenient and easily accessible, I realized it was better to move down the search bar so that it is easier to reach.
"The search bar is hard to reach, so to save time it should be more easily accessible.”
03/16-23, Sara Henning,
Business Student, Virginia State University
Component Library
Typography
The typography represents what my brand is all about - simplicity and easy to understand.
Color Palette
The colors represents what my brand is all about - simplicity and ease.
Icons
The icons represents what my brand is all about - simplicity and easy to understand.
Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn Oo Pp Qq Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy Zz1234567890-=!@#$%^&*()_+
#101823
#05A172
#ED7B5F
#EE8F66
Urbanist Bold Urbanist Medium
Urbanist Regular Urbanist Light
The logo represents what my brand is all about - simplicity and balance.
Logo
#EE8F66
Final Design
Takeaways
When I made YouCan, I knew that convenience is key. A simple and clean design helps users use the app easily and quickly. Clear visuals are also important because they help users save time by presenting financial information in a clear way. By providing users with easy accessible recycling maps, and a clear learning system, YouCan educate users how effortlessly you can get involved in our can recycling community.
2023
Lead Designer
Key Functionalities
Let's get a peek of the key functionalities in the app.
2023
Lead Designer
FIND
Find close-by recycling facilities in our recycling-map.
FIND
Find close-by recycling facilities in our recycling-map.
LEARN
Learn how to recycle.
CONNECT
Connect with others and help us create a recycling community.
In my survey, 70% of participants uses aluminum cans several times a week, but only 50% recycle them.
The top 5 reasons for not recycling are:
Throws everything into the same bin out of routine.
Absence of easily accessible recycling bins.
Not knowing where or how to recycle.
Busy schedules lead to prioritizing convenience over sustainability.
If friends or roommates don't recycle, I don’t either.
44%
58%
60%
75%
82%
Link to my questionnaire Link to results
Key Functionalities
Let's get a peek of the key functionalities in the app.
2023
Lead Designer
FIND
Participants need more easily accessible recycling bins.
LEARN
Participants need a tool that can educate them how and why to recycle.
CONNECT
Participants need a tool that helps them to change their bad routines.
The Process
Let's get a peek of the key functionalities in the app.
2023
Lead Designer
FIND
Participants need more easily accessible recycling bins.
LEARN
Participants need a tool that can educate them how and why to recycle.
CONNECT
Participants need a tool that helps them to change their bad routines.