GREENER
Planetary Footprint Tracking App | August 2019
In a world of limited resources, reducing economic risk and protecting the environment are crucial. Inspired by Peter Drucker’s principle, "If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it," this project aims to empower users to track their expenses, understand their environmental impact, and adopt more sustainable habits.
Project Goal
Design a user-friendly app that enables individuals to:
- Track their consumption and its environmental impact
- Gain insights through actionable sustainability tips
- Develop long-term eco-friendly habits through gamification
User Research & Key Takeaways
Through user interviews, I uncovered key behavioral patterns and challenges:
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Many users focus on just one environmental issue (e.g., recycling) and are unaware of other impactful actions.
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Users are motivated to be eco-conscious but face barriers such as inconvenient tools and limited information.
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Positive reinforcement and gamification (e.g., visual progress tracking, community engagement) enhance motivation.
DESIGN PROCESS
Competitive Analysis
Analyzing existing carbon footprint trackers revealed:
- Most apps require manual input of daily activities, which is time-consuming and inconvenient.
- Complicated interfaces make it difficult for users to see their impact.
- Lack of engagement and rewards leads to low retention rates.
Affinity Mapping
Using affinity mapping, I identified common pain points and behavioral patterns. This helped shape my user persona development, ensuring design decisions were rooted in real user needs.
User Persona
I focused on Adam Walker, a young student from LA, representing a key demographic deeply concerned about global warming. Research shows that 70% of adults aged 18–34 worry about climate change, highlighting the importance of engaging younger users in sustainability efforts.
Sketching & Ideation
I explored multiple design solutions, sketching layouts and testing early concepts with users. Initial feedback guided refinements to ensure intuitive navigation, engaging visuals, and effective habit-forming features.
