Context & Problem Definition
Problem: Students often face financial constraints that limit their ability to purchase sustainable clothing, leading them to opt for more affordable but environmentally harmful fast fashion options.
Importance: Addressing this issue is crucial to reduce the environmental impact of fast fashion and to provide students with access to eco-friendly apparel that aligns with their budget.
Relevance: By creating a platform that offers discounts on sustainable brands, we can empower students to make environmentally conscious choices without financial strain.
Problem
Research indicates that fast fashion contributes significantly to global emissions, yet students, burdened by substantial student loans, often have no choice but to purchase from these brands due to affordability.
Project Context
Team: Victor Tran, Jocelyn Park, Evelyn Kim, Anh Hyunh, Steven Vo, Gary Phan
Timeline: Summer 2023 to Present
Challenges: Developing an eCommerce platform that integrates seamlessly with sustainable brands, offers personalized shopping experiences, and educates users about the environmental impact of their purchases.
Work
Information architecture for the website.
Initial draft work for the project from personal ideation.
Specific layout lofi testing.
Process
- Product Strategy: Defined product requirements and evaluated the eCommerce market to identify our niche.
- Prototyping: Developed initial wireframes and conducted ethnographic studies to understand user behavior.
- User Interviews: Gathered feedback on initial designs to identify areas for improvement.
- Iteration: Refined solutions based on user feedback and testing.
Solutions
- Stripe Integration: Implemented to optimize the shopping experience for students.
- Custom Profiles: Developed to offer personalized shopping experiences.
- Google Analytics: Integrated to better understand user metrics and improve the platform.
Takeaways
Collaborative teamwork was essential in narrowing our target audience and refining our product.
Overcoming backend integration challenges was rewarding and crucial for creating a functional service.