STELLA - QIAN ZHANG DESIGN · Hassle Free Cleaning Digital Calendar helps target users to easy organize their routine calendar. App notification to notify target user on regular basis

STELLARedesign The Compost Experience

In 2010, Americans generated about 250 million tons of trash and recycled and composted over 85 million tons of this material.

Among these wastes yard trimmings and food scraps account for 27 percent, which can be easily recy-cled through making compost.

A NEW WAY TO COMPOSTSTELLA PROJECT

WhAT IS COMPOST?

Compost is organic matter that has been decomposed and recycled as a fertilizer and soil amendment. Compost is a key ingredient in organic farming. Compost is usually rich in nutri-ents. It is used in gardens, landscaping, horticulture, and agriculture. The compost is beneficial for the soil in many ways, including as a soil conditioner, a fertilizer, addition of vital humus or humic acids, and as a natural pesticide for soil.

A Simple Compost Process Illustration


WhO Are The USerS?

The majority of users choose to make compost are senior gardeners who have their backyards.

In order to find the user’s needs and challenges with current product. The survey, observation and interviews were conducted in my research, some of interviewee experience physical problem when using current compost system.

In this project, I observed senior citizen who serves as volunteer in FIGG (Friends In Gasca Gardens) community garden. After the observational research, an “Ax4” snapshot tool was used for organizing data. Specifically, the data was divided into four categories: actors, activates, artifacts and atmosphere.


Neo-kitchen Compost Envirocycle Original Composter Keter Dynamic composter Soilsaver Classic Composter

User Accessibility Analysis

This system has the entrance designed on top to allow waste come in easily.

The bottom are designed for the compost outlet. Given its small size, it would be a little difficulty for senior users to have access to the compost.

This system has a designate waste entrance on top, while the compost outletat the bottom.

Users have to bend their body and dig the compost out of the system. This pose a great challenge when users want have access to compost.

This product adopt a design which com-bine and waste entrance and compost outlet. This makes the user accessibility much easier. But still users have to sit on their knees to get the compost out ofthe system.

This system also adopted entrance and outlet in one design. When users want have access to compost, they have to the system down, which isn’t very convenient .

COMPeTITOr reSeArCh

CAPTAIN

SUB--SAILOR

FIRST--MATE

SAILOR

Less More

The Experience

Less

More

Compost Length

CAPTAIN

SUB--SAILOR

FIRST--MATE

SAILOR

Less More

The Compost

Outcome

Worst

Best

Labor Input


Different types of user could be identified by their experience, the final outcome, the time input and length of making composting. Rank on board was brought in to help distinguish these four groups.

USer TYPeS


Captain

First Mate

Sailor

Sub Sailor

It doesn’t matter what they useThey can make the best of an ordinary trash bin and turn them into some very efficient compost system. They have dif-ferent tips for various kinds of compost system, for them it doesn’t matter what kind of system they use. It always goes right.Have everything under controlAs captains they have everything under our control given our experience. They know clearly what we expected to achieve and how to make it happen.

Pragmatic is their first priorityThey concern much about the functionality, and also have experience with different types of composting. But still, they just look upon the function side among the features.They just love it & Best ManagementAs first mates, we put the most time and efforts into compost compared with the other three user groups. We are dedi-cated to making compost and for them it is just fun and easy. Due to time input the whole system is working smoothly and efficiently.

Something that reliable & efficientWhat they need is a reliable product which could prevent user from making mistakes for they are most vulnerable users. Not That ConfidentThey have little experience about compost, we don’t know how to make the compost working efficiently. As it is often the case, we just switch between different systems back and forth. If they couldn’t get a good outcome, it is likely that they will quit.

Low maintenance Smart SystemThey usually prefer some compost system which needs low maintenance and less labor. As a beginner, they just want to have fun at this stage. And also the better outcome could be a boost for their future compost career.Just cannot make itAs the beginner of this field, they usually need experts’ guidance to make sure that they are in the right direction. Other-wise, they are likely to fail in the first step. The experience threshold could be a huge challenge for them.

General Activity Model

Food Preparation

Waste Storage

Regular Input

String / Watering

Compost Done

Mix with old compost

Container Clean Up

Trash Bin

Plastic Bag, Kitchen ware (Knifes, Chopping Board)Coffee Machine,

Compost Aerator Water Hose Shovel

Water Hose Paper Towel


ACTIvITY MOdel


USer ACTIvITY SCenArIO


IdeAl USer exPerIenCe

Perry is a housewife between 50-55 years old and lives in her own house with his husband and a dog. Perry and his husband have two children, all of them on their own right now, thus she doesn’t have to worry about their life. She is really into the notion that recycles household waste, especially the kitchen waste. She has a big backyard which she plans to grow different plants and vegetables.

Perry enjoys searching through websites for garden improvement inspirations and sometimes she also shares her story about gardening. She prefers everything in good order and always organizes her garden on routine basis. Occasionally, she becomes frustrated with the tremendous labor input of gardening. Thus she is desperately looking for any alternative to help her save time and efforts.

Perry has 6 years’ experience using compost products. She began her compost career using a traditional outdoor compost bin. So far she’s going quite well. What matters for her when comes to different compost products are: efficiency, the performance and affordable price; however, she’s also aware that the current products look bulk and the capacity is more than what she needs. And consider her age and her needs, current system brings some challenge for her. It is too big to handle it, lacking of mobile feature makes it an even worse experience.

She is looking for an alternative that could free her from the daily time and labor consuming compost routine, which has a sleek looking and less geriatric barrier without sacrificing efficiency. And more impor-tantly, it works as good as current products.

MEET PERRY

MEET PERRY FAMILY

IN USE POST USE


Easy to open the lid, easy to dump the kitchen waste into the system

One “gross” gesture (as opposed to a targeted gesture) required to activate, in mobile and fixed modes.

Easy to gather the finished products out of the system.

Ergonomic shape for comfort, confident use, as a propri-ate for target use occasions.

Easy to place, store and remove as appropriate for target usage occasions.

Devices conveys appropriate durability/quality

Products lasts as long as the product claims

Easy Handling while move around and carry, makes it comfortable when needed.

Alternative source of power saves target user time and labor.

Animal/Children Proof in case of fault use.Cable is waterproof for added security.

No product fallout, to prevent contamination of surface.

Online forum helps users identify their problems using product.Experts will answer questions and advice for target us-ers.Social media can be used to share users’ unique experi-ence.

Hassle Free Cleaning

Digital Calendar helps target users to easy organize their routine calendar.App notification to notify target user on regular basis the status of current working compost.User can have information access of the working compost system through Apps.

Easy Set-Up & Use Explicitly Safety Easy Management

Online Support & Social Media Share

Easy Cleaning

Mobile Feature

Alternative Source of Power

Accessibility

Credible Value

Anything in Blue Color Fonts indicate added or changed aspects since reframe

DESIGN


deSIgn lAngUAge AnAlYSIS

InITIAl SkeTCh


InITIAl SkeTCh


keY SkeTCh



keY SkeTCh

USer SCenArIO

Compost in Progress

60% complete in this Cycle

Last Adding Up: June 08

Next Adding Up: June 22

60%

Compost Info

SHARE

Calendar Notification One Click Social Media ShareStatus Monitor

Adding Up Compost Gathering Finished Compost

Relocating System


Processing Compost Mix

Finished Compost

Low RPM Motor

deSIgn MeChAnISM

Powered by a low RPM motor on bottom,this system is labor free. The graph on right indicates the mechanism of this system.



This product is powered by main electricity. The source of the power enable whole system works 24/7, 365 days a year. Featured with three caster wheels, this product is easy to relocate and move around. User will benefit from its compact shape as well as its unique mobile feature , achieving a easy handling user experience

COnCePT 1

deSIgn deTAIlIngRetractable waterproof cable and plug enable compost system handle extreme weather conditions.


Caster Wheel Lock for easy set-up and security

Push button designated compost outlet

Robust Base ensure stability and durability


deSIgn deTAIlIngHandle and Caster Wheel features make the using easy and comfortable, while re-movable cap ensure its added security for animal or child.



COnCePT 2


deSIgn deTAIlIng


deSIgn deTAIlIngSIze InFOrMATIOn

180 cm (5 Foot 11inch)

85 cm 90 cm


COnCePT evAlUATIOnEasy

Set-Up & Use

Accessib

ility

Mobile Featu

re

Credible ValueAlte

rnative Source

of PowerExp

licitly

SafetyEasy

ManagementOnline Support &

Social M

edia Share

Easy Cleaning

Advantage Disadvantage

= achieves IUX

= met needs= partially met needs= unmet needs

easy & Comfortable Mobile FeaturePowered by main electricityBig & soft handle, easy to graspCompact size makes it easy to handleCap ensure its implicit security

long cable would create barrierwhen it is located far away from the plug.

The caster wheel could be obstacle.

long cable would create barrierwhen it is located far away from the plug.

no Mobile Feature

Power by alternative sourceeasy assemble and set up

Attracting exterior looking

Documents

STELLA - QIAN ZHANG DESIGN · Hassle Free Cleaning Digital Calendar helps target users to easy organize their routine calendar. App notification to notify target user on regular basis