In this collaborative project, my team explored how game mechanics can drive behavioral change. We designed Recycle Right, an app that rewards users for correct recycling habits. My role focused on defining the user journey, taking the user from the physical act of recycling to the digital reward system by using comprehensive wireframes and interactive prototypes to validate our concepts.
Junior Year Team UX Project: Recycle Right
The Challenge Residents of Columbus, Ohio, face a disconnect when it comes to recycling. Between confusion about what can be recycled and a lack of tangible motivation, participation rates remain lower than ideal. The core problem wasn't just access—it was a lack of education and engagement.
The Solution We designed Recycle Right, a mobile application aimed at educating the community and incentivizing sustainable habits. The app solves the engagement issue by tracking user data, allowing residents to log their recycling and visualize their impact through "pounds of material recycled." By turning a chore into a measurable achievement, we aimed to increase long-term participation.
Visual Strategy: Clarity through Wayfinding Inspired by the New York City subway system, the interface utilizes a distinct color-coded system to categorize materials (Paper, Plastic, Glass). We selected Helvetica for the typography to prioritize legibility and accessibility, creating a "utilitarian chic" aesthetic that feels authoritative yet easy to use.
Visual Strategy: Clarity through Wayfinding Inspired by the New York City subway system, the interface utilizes a distinct color-coded system to categorize materials (Paper, Plastic, Glass). We selected Helvetica for the typography to prioritize legibility and accessibility, creating a "utilitarian chic" aesthetic that feels authoritative yet easy to use.
