OUR PROCESS
Human-centered design leads to behavior change.
Human-centered design is a collaborative, step by step process that focuses on understanding human needs. We interview our community members about their needs, frustrations and motivations, as well as get expert input and research. Based on that research, we brainstorm, develop, and test creative solutions on a small scale, so we can get it right before delivering to a larger audience.
PHASE 1
Define the problem
PHASE 2
Research & interview
PHASE 3
Ideate
PHASE 4
Prototype & test
PHASE 5
Iterate & test again
PHASE 6
Scaled rollout
PROCESS IN ACTION
How can we increase composting rates in municipal composting?
PHASE 1
Define the problem
Food waste is one of the top bananas in global emissions according to Project Drawdown. According to the research of ReFED, a coalition focused on food waste, centralized composting is among the top of the list of solutions to reduce emissions. Then we dug deeper into centralized composting rates in our hometown Oakland.
PHASE 2
Research & interview
In the second project phase, we’re getting the dirt on people’s attitudes and behaviors around disposing of their food scraps and composting.
PHASES 3 - 4
Ideate & prototype
After brainstorming over 40 ideas, we narrowed to 2. Ideas to improve composting rates in Oakland:
A kit for apartments dwellers to help them compost easily and understand the impact of their actions
A kit for landlords and property managers to help ensure engagement
An app to help people connect to compost near them
Broader ideas to expand composting
A national website to track our nation’s progress on municipal composting and build demand for composting
A kit to help composting advocates get municipal composting in their city