Project start

Kick-off Initial Focus of the Project

In this project, I would focus on a specific niche, in this case, fashion lovers with limited resources who are conscious of their impact on the planet. With this, we would validate and build a scalable and broad project that could help other profiles such as communities, local governments, companies, etc. I would need as much information as possible, which we have begun to gather in the Research plan and would continue to do so in later phases through conversations with stakeholders, team dynamics, testing, etc.

The main decisions would involve implementing a system that gives us visibility, both for continuous discovery and metrics (GA4) and user sessions (Hotjar or similar). This way, we can detect inefficiencies, problems, edge cases, etc. However, above all, it is essential to maintain continuous communication with the various stakeholders because we see this as more of an experience than just a simple buy-sell platform.

We propose a Research Plan that can be defined in phases, based on time and resources, and would create a repository of findings. An Airtable or just a Google spreadsheet where we can collect relevant information from all stakeholders: intermediaries, manufacturers, users, team members… This will help us make better decisions and identify opportunities.

Main Actions:

• Qualitative research, as described (see sample interview).

• Quantitative research to measure the impact and propose actions like energy-saving marathons, clothing recovery and restoration, etc. But most importantly, we need data to support our decisions.

• I would also consider issues I've encountered in the past (insurance and legal advice) and how the service could endanger users. The design will focus on ensuring safety, data anonymity, and preventing any risks in using the platform, especially when vulnerable sectors are involved.

All of this is based on my professional experience (Juguetea, RentMyDesk…) and, above all, research and testing. The first step would be to test the prototype we’re preparing in this exercise, both technologically (usability, accessibility, content, etc.) and by testing the experience itself through role-plays about product exchanges, conversations, and identifying inefficiencies or areas we might not have fully considered.

Main Objective

Create a C2C platform to promote reuse and reduce waste by facilitating the purchase/sale and donation of clothing and children's toys.

Approach Strategy

• Clear Definition of Objectives and Scope:

  • Project Objectives: Clarify the expected outcomes, such as facilitating the reuse of children's products and reducing environmental impact.

  • Project Scope: Define which features and characteristics will be included in the first product version. In this case, a prototype for selling/donating an item, but we would need a product roadmap with achievable deadlines.

• Stakeholder Identification and Consultation:

  • Initial Meetings: Organize meetings with the startup founders, investors, and potential users to understand their expectations and needs.

  • Documentation: Create an initial document outlining the project requirements and validate it with all stakeholders.

• Preliminary Research:

  • Market Analysis: Research competition and current trends in C2C platforms and the circular economy. See Research.

  • Benchmarking: Identify best practices and key features in similar products.

• User Segmentation:

  • Persona Definition: Create detailed profiles of target users based on demographic and psychographic data.

  • The first buyer persona would be a young person, aged 17 to 24, who enjoys fashion, has limited resources, and is aware of the fashion industry's environmental impact.

  • Customer Journey Mapping: Visualize the user's journey from discovering the platform to completing a transaction (pending creation of a graphic).

• Research Planning:

  • Mixed Methodology: Use both qualitative (interviews) and quantitative (surveys) techniques to gain a comprehensive view of user needs.

• Initial Design and Prototyping:

  • Low-Fidelity Wireframes: Create low-fidelity wireframes for the main functionalities and user flows.

  • High-Fidelity Prototypes: Develop high-fidelity prototypes for key screens, focusing on the user experience.

• Validation and Testing:

  • Usability Testing: Conduct tests with real users to identify problems and areas for improvement in the prototypes.

  • Continuous Feedback: Establish a mechanism to collect and analyze feedback throughout the design process. We can create a "pool" of users and set up a small lab or visit gathering places to have those conversations (this could even be a café).

• UI Kit Development:

  • Design Components: Create a UI kit that includes all necessary elements for screen design (buttons, forms, product cards, etc.). (See Figma).

  • Style Guides: Define typography, colors, and visual styles consistent with the brand identity.

• Communication and Documentation:

  • Clear Documentation: Maintain a detailed record of all design decisions and changes made.

  • Regular Updates: Keep stakeholders informed of project progress through regular meetings and reports.

• Launch Preparation:

  • Final Review: Ensure all functionalities and flows are fully designed and validated. Conduct testing with the QA team and manual reviews by team members and beta users.

  • Implementation Plan: Coordinate with the development team for the platform's implementation and launch.

This is a typical product development process, with more or fewer elements depending on resources. Since it’s a new product, we would work step by step on the main features, for example, with a requirement pyramid, prioritization, and defining sprints with the technical team. We’re thinking of an MLP (Minimum Lovable Product) due to the project’s context, which I see more as an experience than a buy-sell channel.