Kendra McKernan
Work
About
Recycling
efficiency program
The project
A computer vision app for identifying recyclables.
My role
UX Designer
Timeline
2 months
The competition
We compared the features of many of the recycling apps and websites currently available to the public.
We made note of what features the products have, how they worked and which features the users appreciated most or least.
We made note of what features the products have, how they worked and which features the users appreciated most or least.
Competitive analysis takeaways
- Competitors focus on category search using mostly icons
- Competitors have outdated UI / UX, it’s confusing and complex, we must simplify the user experience.
- Image recognition is difficult to get right, we must give users back-up options in case their item isn’t recognized.
Asking about recycling habits
We interviewed people who already recycle and people who are interested in recycling.
We asked about:
- Their current recycling habits.
- If they wanted to improve their recycling habits
- What holds them back from improving their recycling habits
- If they use any technology to help them recycle
- If they’d be interested in using technology to help them identify recyclables.
Would you change your recycling habits if you could take the guess work out?
“I am just impatient and wouldn't want to go through all the steps if I can ask my Alexa or Google. “
What do you think would be a flaw of using this method?
“With 2 kids anything time consuming is a flaw.”
How would you feel if that service was only 80% reliable? 50%? 20%?
“The more reliable the better or I'll get annoyed and stop using it.”
Interview takeaways
- People are motivated to recycle - but not motivated enough to put a lot of energy into helping themselves learn or create better habits
- Any amount of inaccuracy in the image recognition causes a significant amount of distrust
How and what people recycle
We put out a survey to get an idea of how and what people recycle.
We were interested in what holds people back from recycling, if they wish to improve their recycling habits and what they find most difficult about recycling.
We were interested in what holds people back from recycling, if they wish to improve their recycling habits and what they find most difficult about recycling.
Survey takeaways
- People try to recycle things that aren’t eligible
- People would recycle more if it were easier
- The top reason for not recycling is not knowing what is recyclable or not
Exploring search flows
Our research revealed to us that the photo recognition needed to work very well in order to maintain the users trust.
We needed to ensure the user had alternative ways to get the information they were looking for should the computer vision fail to return accurate results.
We compared the ways other apps solve this problem and narrowed it down to bar and category search options.
We needed to ensure the user had alternative ways to get the information they were looking for should the computer vision fail to return accurate results.
We compared the ways other apps solve this problem and narrowed it down to bar and category search options.
Navigating navigation
There were different versions of a navigation bar as the project progressed.
We wanted to the user to be able to accesss the camera from every page so they could use that method whenever they wanted to.
Ultimately through user testing we realized that once the user chose to go a search route over photo recognition, it was unlikely that they would suddenly change their mind.
We wanted to the user to be able to accesss the camera from every page so they could use that method whenever they wanted to.
Ultimately through user testing we realized that once the user chose to go a search route over photo recognition, it was unlikely that they would suddenly change their mind.
We made sure that our 3 clicks or less rule would allow them get back to the home page quickly and seamlessly.
Three clicks or less
We decided to combine the off-site recycling location results with the item results page.
We made this decision so the user could reach the results they want in a shorter simpler way, rather than being directed to another page just to get off-site recycling location information.
We made this decision so the user could reach the results they want in a shorter simpler way, rather than being directed to another page just to get off-site recycling location information.
Research showed that our users did not want to spend a lot of time trying to get information so it was in our best interest to shorten that flow for them.
User flows
Most of the people we spoke to in interviews admitted to throwing things in the trash when they aren’t sure if it’s recyclable.
They also expressed that they would be willing to find out if something was recyclable if they could find out quickly.
We knew this meant we’d need to make our flows very fast and efficient, otherwise the user would lose patience.
They also expressed that they would be willing to find out if something was recyclable if they could find out quickly.
We knew this meant we’d need to make our flows very fast and efficient, otherwise the user would lose patience.
We implemented a 3 clicks or less rule for the entire program. In each of the main flows, the user will tap a maximum of 3 times in order to get to the results they are looking for.
Usability testing
An overwhelming amount of users commented that they found the flows easy to follow. They were able to use the bar and category search functions smoothly and get to their results quickly.
Our testers appreciated the use of photos to help them quickly identify the specific item they were trying to recycle.
They expressed concern over there not being enough information in our descriptions of items and why they are/aren’t responsible.
Our testers appreciated the use of photos to help them quickly identify the specific item they were trying to recycle.
They expressed concern over there not being enough information in our descriptions of items and why they are/aren’t responsible.
“What if I don’t know what an alkaline battery is? I want more help identifying what the item is made of”
“It’s super easy to figure out what to do and how”
“I like that the pictures help me understand what the item is”
Design
Switching from photos on the home page to icons helped give the program a cleaner look while still helping the user easily identify the categories.
We added the recycling status to the item lists so the user can learn if the item is recyclable sooner.
After the user takes a pictue of their item there are options to click the back arrow to try again, go back to the home page or manually search.
These were backups that we put in place in case the team couldn’t get the photo recognition working properly within the project time frame.
We added the recycling status to the item lists so the user can learn if the item is recyclable sooner.
After the user takes a pictue of their item there are options to click the back arrow to try again, go back to the home page or manually search.
These were backups that we put in place in case the team couldn’t get the photo recognition working properly within the project time frame.
Thoughts
During the 8 weeks of this project I learned how to collaborate with another designer:
I learned how to give feedback in a tacful, professional way. I also learned how to recieve critique without taking it personally.
It may feel like things are moving slower when you work with a design partner but ultimately what you create together is better than what you could have created on your own.
It’s a great opportunity to have someone challenge your ideas and force you think outside the box.
I also learned:
It’s important to have back up plans in case features aren’t built the way they were planned to be, or aren’t finished in time. Always be prepared to pivot and come up with new solutions.
I learned how to give feedback in a tacful, professional way. I also learned how to recieve critique without taking it personally.
It may feel like things are moving slower when you work with a design partner but ultimately what you create together is better than what you could have created on your own.
It’s a great opportunity to have someone challenge your ideas and force you think outside the box.
I also learned:
It’s important to have back up plans in case features aren’t built the way they were planned to be, or aren’t finished in time. Always be prepared to pivot and come up with new solutions.
Wanderlust 