Study Case
Connecting Needs:
A Platform for Unused Goods in Yogyakarta
Product Designer
2024
Object of Study
The object of this study case is the development and evaluation of an online platform specifically designed to facilitate the donation and acquisition of unused items in Yogyakarta. This platform aims to solve the dual problem of reducing waste and meeting local community needs by connecting donors and recipients in the area.
Research Objective
Identify the challenges and motivations of individuals with unused items and those seeking these items.
Explore local behavior and expectations for a platform that facilitates item exchange.
Methods:
Interviews: Conducted with 15 donors and 15 recipients to understand their pain points and motivations.
Key Finding
Donors often hesitate to throw away items due to environmental concerns but lack easy ways to donate them.
Recipients find it hard to locate specific items they need for free, often relying on word of mouth or general marketplaces.
Community-focused solutions with localized features are preferred for ease of pickup and interaction.
Problem Statement:
In Yogyakarta, individuals often face difficulties in giving away or acquiring unused items due to the absence of a localized, structured platform. This results in wasted resources and unmet needs within the community.
Design Goals:
Simplify the process of donating and acquiring items.
Ensure the platform is user-friendly and culturally relevant to Yogyakarta.
Create a seamless experience for arranging item exchanges within local neighborhoods.
Mental Model Analysis:
Donors: Expect an intuitive, quick process to list items and feel reassured their donations are valued.
Recipients: Desire detailed item descriptions and easy navigation to find what they need.
Both Groups: Prioritize transparency and trust in arranging pickups and exchanges.
Platform Concept:
A lightweight, web-based platform tailored for Yogyakarta, emphasizing simplicity and local relevance.
Focus on nearby matches for easier item pickup.
Highlight user-contributed impact metrics like waste reduction and items rehomed.
Core Features:
Donate Item
Item Listing
Search Item
Filter Item
Detailed Item
User Profile Page
Prototype:
The design was implemented using Framer, leveraging its dynamic and interactive capabilities to create an intuitive and visually impactful user experience.
User Feedback:
Donors appreciated the ease of listing items and tracking their contributions.
Recipients found the search feature efficient and liked the nearby matches functionality.
The development and evaluation of the platform successfully addressed the identified problem of unused items going to waste and unmet local needs for such items in Yogyakarta. By implementing a simple and localized web-based platform, the study demonstrated the feasibility of using technology to foster sustainability, resourcefulness, and community engagement. The platform's ease of use, cultural relevance, and measurable impact resonated with users, confirming its utility and scalability.