User Research

User research was divided into costumers and upcyclers, with participants between the ages of 20-34.

Here are the main user personas and their respective needs drawn from the research findings.

User research was divided into costumers and upcyclers, with participants between the ages of 20-34. Here are the main user personas and their needs drawn from the research findings.

The Creative
  • Design student, loves sustainable fashion

  • Does upcycled pieces for her friends and family

  • Lacks a platform where she can expand her business and meet other creators like herself.

The Costumer
  • Engineer with no carpentry skills

  • Came across some abandoned furniture with really strong potential.


  • Lacks a platform where she can compare upcycling solutions and go with the most suitable one.

The Pro Upcycler
  • Experienced carpenter

  • Owns a furniture shop with restoring services.

  • Loves restoring old pieces.


  • Lacks a platform that could link him to more restoring opportunities.

The Creative
  • Design student, loves sustainable fashion

  • Does upcycled pieces for her friends and family

  • Lacks a platform where she can expand her business and meet other creators like herself.

The Costumer
  • Engineer with no carpentry skills

  • Came across some abandoned furniture with really strong potential.


  • Lacks a platform where she can compare upcycling solutions and go with the most suitable one.

The Pro Upcycler
  • Experienced carpenter

  • Owns a furniture shop with restoring services.

  • Loves restoring old pieces.


  • Lacks a platform that could link him to more restoring opportunities.

The main flow focuses on the customer, however, insights from both surveys were relevant to the process

The main flow focuses on the customer, however, insights from both surveys were relevant to the process

Market Research

Market Research

I focused on Instagram and Depop since most upcyclers advertise their work through them. And looked into the search experiences on apps like Easy and Airbnb to see what makes them so great and popular.

I looked into Instagram and Depop since most upcyclers advertise their work there, and examined the search experience on apps like Easy and Airbnb to see what makes them so popular.

Airbnb

Easy

Instagram

Depop
  • Visually engaging, big room for photos (Airbnb, Instagram, Depop)

  • Map view of search results (Airbnb)

  • Favourites section for search results (Airbnb, Easy)

  • Pricing and reviews available (Airbnb)

  • No specific search (Instagram, Depop)

  • No guidance through the upcycling process (all)

  • Inconsistent info on upcyclers’ profiles (Instagram, Depop)

  • Information overload and poor legibility (Easy)

These insights helped define Key Principles

Enable search based

on listed items

Guide the user through the process

Provide all crucial upcycler information

Enable search based

on listed items

Guide the user through the process

Provide all crucial upcycler information

Conclusions

In retrospect I could have implement the community aspect of upcycling and develop that area too. Moreover, I could have emphasized more the before and after process of the upcycling for a more engaging experience.

Conclusions

In retrospect I could have implement the community aspect of upcycling and develop that area too. Moreover, I could have emphasized more the before and after process of the upcycling for a more engaging experience.

Let’s work together!
debycanias1@gmail.com
Deborah Cañas
The Product

When starting a new project, users get a preview of the upcycling steps for a clear and guided process. We will focus on these 5 steps to discover the app.

1.
List your items

By listing an item, users start a project and get matched with upcyclers most suitable to their needs.

1.
List your items

By listing an item, users start a project and get matched with upcyclers suitable to their needs.

Home
New Listing
Home
New Listing
3.
Choose yours and book a pick up!
Upcycler’s profiles provide all crucial information for users to make a broad comparison and find the best option.
3.
Choose yours and book a pick up!
Upcycler’s profiles provide all crucial information for users to make a broad comparison and find the best option.

Upcycler's Profile

Upcycler's Profile

Previews Projects
Reviews

Pricing List

5.

Get your items!
2.
Find upcyclers based on listed item
Listing results include a preview of the upcyclers’ latest projects so that users can easily understand their style.
2.
Find upcyclers based on listed item
Listing results include a preview of the upcyclers’ latest projects so that users can easily understand their style.
List View
Map View
List View
Map View
Featured Projects
Add to Favourites
Upcycler info
4.

Follow your project’s status

Users can keep track of their project’s timeline, review booking details and other project info under their profile.
4.

Follow your project’s status

Users can keep track of their project’s timeline, review booking details and other project info under their profile.
The Challenge

Gathering all upcycling solutions in one place so that users can easily compare options and restore items from different categories in one place.

The Challenge

Gathering all upcycling solutions in one place so that users can easily compare options and restore items from different categories in one place.

Overview

Have you ever felt guilty for throwing old furniture away?
You knew it had potential but didn't have the skills or time to restore it?
Upcyclist connects you to those who do, so you can bring your items back to life and reduce waste!

Overview

Have you ever felt guilty for throwing old furniture away?
You knew it had potential but didn't have the skills or time to restore it?
Upcyclist connects you to those who do, so you can bring your items back to life and reduce waste!

MY ROLE

UX/UI Design

WHAT

Personal Project

WHEN

2022

Matching unused items with upcyclers who can bring them back to life

MY ROLE

UX/UI
Design

WHAT

Personal
Project

WHEN

2022