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Usable home furnishings often end up in landfills while many people struggle to afford basic items for their homes. We have imagined an easy way to connect those with extra belongings to those in need, reducing waste and helping communities.
September 2023 - December 2024
This project was completed in “Interaction Design Studio” at the University of Michigan School of Information in a team of four.
Usable home goods are often disposed of rather than repurposed in other homes. We are hoping to bridge the gap between people with an excess of goods and those who need access through a community-sharing app.
“I donate extra clothing but usually throw away extra household items.”
“I give away items to my immediate community, or otherwise throw them away.”
“My move out of state required more purchases because I couldn’t bring things from my hometown.”
“I don’t furnish my home more than I need to because I’m not planning on staying here long-term.”
Jim
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
Alice
“My main priority is school but I want to make my apartment feel like a home.”
“My main priority is school but I want to make my apartment feel like a home.”
Krysta
“I don’t have a lot of free time to look for the things my family needs.”
“I don’t have a lot of free time to look for the things my family needs.”
Edna
“I’m always searching for porcelain bunnies.”
“I’m always searching for porcelain bunnies.”
01
People who want to give away their items would need a way of describing the item (features, condition, use, location)
02
Ability to upload and display multiple images of the item they want to give away.
03
Gifters would need to be able to have direct communication with Giftees.
04
A categorical filtration system and search capabilities that allow users to find specific items.
01
The item description page should provide the rating of the seller.
02
Steps in the “Claim” process were redundant and some language was confusing.
03
A “Return to Home” button added an unnecessary step.
04
Suggestions for starting chats with other users could be beneficial.
Both users confirm that they plan to meet to remove the user frustration of people backing out of conversations and exchanges.
Adding a plus-button above the keyboard means buttons are hidden until needed. The confirmation now appears as a message rather than a pop-up, less intrusive to the conversation while still varying in design.
Our team wanted to include a user’s listings in their profile, so others are able to browse their other listings if they come across something they like.
The new design provides more details about listed items and avoids floating elements.
Our goal was to create a solution centered in community engagement and environmental sustainability. Users of GiftAway would be inclined to interact and build relationships with their neighbors in a way that benefits them both, whether they are looking to donate or receive items they need.
By providing a platform with no monetary string attached in the form of fees or commissions, we are able to remove the financial barriers for users and increase accessibility. Sustainably, the app will be able to reduce the demand for new items and lengthen the lifecycle of products while lower transportation emissions.
This project taught me the importance of connecting with the user personas of the project in a way that leads to meaningful design considerations. Our team referred to these personas so often they seemed to be in the room with us.
By creating well-rounded personas, we were able to understand the motivations of our future users and solve problems they would likely run into.
