Revive Case Study
End-to-end mobile app design
Overview
Current value systems drive and perpetuate overconsumption and a detached relationship with nature. So, I set out to create a solution that would lessen the impact of globalized supply chains while encouraging more mindful consumption. I created a product that allows people to shop for local goods online, which addresses their need for convenient and accessible options to shop local while at the same time reducing their carbon footprint and feeling more connected to the products they buy. I came up with the solution together with a sustainable business expert and I created the the end-to-end mobile app design (focused on the user side), branding, & the look & feel of the iOS app from scratch.
Introduction
Inspired by the 'What Design Can Do No Waste Challenge,' which focuses on creative ways to address the enormous impact of waste and consumerism on climate change, I set out to create a product that would inspire the use of fewer natural resources and encourage people to consume more mindfully. I started off by researching and brainstorming ideas to tackle this problem.
Brainstorm Outcome
Revive: A platform that will enable local businesses to sell their goods online to stimulate the local economy, encourage sustainable consumption by making it easier for customers to find, discover, and connect with local businesses and goods, lower the carbon footprint associated with international production and shipping, and overall contribute to a circular economy. The name Revive was chosen as it means to restore life to, reinvigorate, energize, and refresh and the Revive platform strives to revive the connection between local businesses, local goods, and customers.
Research
As a part of my process to understand the best solution, I conducted secondary research on what the problem is, the challenges associated with the take-make-waste economy, where there is opportunity, why target online shopping, and what impact this could have.
Competitor Feature Analysis
I approached the problem on a global level and then narrowed the scope down to the Netherlands so that I could pinpoint local users, issues, and opportunities on a smaller scale. After researching more in the local context, I performed a competitor feature analysis of several companies that shared some similarities with Revive, either offering local products or a marketplace. This process helped me to learn more about the features included and the structure of websites and apps. It specifically helped me to understand where the gaps are. I found the biggest gaps were:
1.
Very few options to learn about the company / face behind the company
2.
No information on supply chain
3.
No information/no filters for locally sourced products
4.
Very few options to save or favorite a product
Provisional Personas
Based on the research, I identified several different people who could be potential Revive users and I created five provisional personas based on this.
User Interviews
I conducted user interviews with five people who were identified as potential users of this service.
Female
Age 45
Researcher
Male
Age 32
Business Owner
Male
Age 33
Researcher
Female
Age 26
Receptionist
Female
Age 20
Student
User Interview Findings
All of the participants want to support local businesses and buy locally sourced products but they don't currently feel like they have enough options to do this, especially in light of business closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Most of the participants said that the pandemic has made them more inclined to shop local. All participants need convenient and accessible options to shop. They are frustrated by the lack of online options to shop local and therefore often resort to buying from global retailers for the ease of it. All participants are motivated to shop locally sourced products and sustainable products if this information is easily known.
Define
Throughout this stage, I was able to empathize with the users and define user personas. I also conducted further research on the information hierarchy of similar websites and used this to guide my sitemap creation. Using the sitemap as a guide and getting inside the mind of the personas, I created two user flows with different pathways for a similar scenario.
User Personas
I created two user personas based on the motivations, frustrations, wants, and needs of the interview participants.
Sitemap
After conducting competitor research on website and app information architecture, as well as research on common local products, I created a sitemap for Revive.
User Flow
Using the sitemap for the app structure and the personas to guide decision making, I created two user flows.
Design
I began the design stage by referring back to everything I had done up until this point. My aim was to design a usable mobile app that met the goals, needs, and wants of the user. I began by sketching and moved to digital wireframes.
Sketching
I started by sketching multiple versions of the home screen and product pages. I included questions, comments and links for myself as I worked through this process.
Wireframing
I created wireframes based on my sketches and sitemap. I also referred back to my user flows and included multiple paths a user might take to find a product and check out.
Magnify
UI Design
I created a moodboard on Pinterest and began to visualize the look and feel I wanted for Revive. I was inspired to create a color palette that felt earthy, fresh, and lively. I designed the logo to be simple with an element of flexibility in the shape. I pulled all of this together to create a UI kit and then applied this to my wireframes to create high-fidelity app screens.
Test & Iteration
I conducted usability testing with the high fidelity app screens to understand the ease of navigation and to identify any problems or areas for improvement.
User Testing
I recruited three participants for usability testing. The main scenario that users ran through was the process of ordering 2kg of gala apples and checking out. This scenario was purposely kept broad to see how individuals would interact with and navigate through the app. All participants completed the scenario with zero errors and noted it was 'easy' to find what they were looking for and checkout. All participants used different pathways to get to the end. Participants noted:
This is really cool. You can find all kinds of things on this. I wish our community had this. How cool would that be to be like ‘oh there’s a farm over here that has this and a shop over there that has that.'
"
- User participant, female, age 58
"
Is there somewhere I could read reviews?
"
- User participant, female, age 20
"
For me I typically want to just get what I want and get out of there unless I’m bored - then I would scroll through random stuff. I would use this because it's easy and you can find what you want really quickly.
"
- User participant, male, age 18
"
Final Iteration
I identified a few areas to build out further to test on another round of usability testing. I also identified some minor areas for improvement and these were taken into consideration and improved on a second round of iteration and high-fidelity app screen design. The following high-fidelity app screens are the final iterations, which have been designed for an iPhone 12. I have designed high-fidelity app screens for both an iPhone 8 and iPhone 12.
Final Thoughts
Creating the visual identity and iOS app for Revive was an exciting project and since I was involved with everything from business development, to problem solving, and creating the design, I was given a unique perspective into the entire process of app and business creation from the start. I also had the creative freedom to use my design skills to implement a tangible solution to an environmental challenge.
In terms of design next steps, I plan to continue testing and iterating and fully design the rest of the app. Building off of the user testing, I would like to:
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Build out and test filters
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Test if product reviews/company reviews are wanted
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Expand on location filters and maps
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Begin thinking through the business side of the app