THINGS

UX UI

Brand

Role- Student project, Product designer (UX+UI) from concept to production.
Team- Mentor, Manager of design and Visual communication department at Holon Institute of Technology.
Deliverables- App, animation videos, video shooting and editing, physical exhibition.

Overview
As a UX/UI designer, I went on a journey with this fascinating project to address the issues of hoarding and excessive consumption. It all started during my transition between apartments in Tel Aviv when I was overwhelmed by the amount of objects I had accumulated over the years. Clothes, bags, furniture, accessories - you name it, they seemed to occupy every available space. I realized that my education unknowingly instilled a culture of abundance, but I knew I couldn't continue like that.

This led me to wonder if hoarding was a real problem and if others faced similar challenges. Determined to find answers, I embarked on a personal journey to let go of unnecessary belongings and made a surprising discovery - hoarding is a common struggle for many of us in today's world of overconsumption.

My personal process was not easy and I thought about how I could make the process easier for other people through a digital product

Background

Hoarding, a compulsive behavior characterized by the obsessive accumulation of objects and items lacking practical use or value, is a type of mental disorder that affects individuals. In this case study, I will explore the topic of hoarding based on personal experiences and research, aiming to offer a solution to this widespread social phenomenon.

Problem

Excessive accumulation of belongings has become a common problem, with studies indicating that we only use about 20% of what we own. Our attachment to objects, often associated with memories and experiences, makes it difficult to let go. In this case study I will address this issue and offer a personal solution to hoarding and excessive consumption, recognizing the potential for individual and social change.

Goals

Transforming individuals' relationships with their belongings.
Establish a supportive community.
Promoting mindful consumerism to create a positive impact on both personal lives and society at large.

Target audience

mature individuals who feel overwhelmed by their belongings and seek greater satisfaction and relief from the burdens of excessive possessions. People who recognize in themselves the need to store sentimental objects, out of a desire to preserve the memories.

Sources of Inspiration

In my research, I examined three methods that offer potential solutions to the hoarding problem: KonMari, The Minimalists, and the Capsule method. Each method offers a unique approach to decluttering and embracing a more minimalistic lifestyle.

To inspire the platform's design, I drew inspiration from various sources, including Coffee Nahat, which provides a customizable coffee platform, DISSRUP, an NFT collection site fostering a creative community, the book "Life is Short, Don't Buy the Shoes," which discusses consumerism and fast fashion, and Chelsy, a second-hand app.

User Questionnaire

To gather valuable insights, I developed a user questionnaire focused on respondents' lifestyle, belongings, and storage habits. Additional questions addressed the challenges they faced in letting go of possessions, including emotional attachment and difficulty finding new homes for released items. I also explored their childhood home environment and its potential influence on their current lifestyle.

From the questionnaire and other research sources, I identified several common reasons that hinder letting go of unused items: emotional attachment, motivation issues, and challenges in finding appropriate relocation options.

The Solution

The proposed solution is a virtual hoarding platform that allows users to document and commemorate objects they no longer need, facilitating their release. This platform aims to motivate individuals to embrace proper consumerism and adopt a more minimalist lifestyle. The concept involves storing memories while letting go of physical objects. Through community engagement, hoarders can release their belongings, immortalize them on the platform, and participate in pop-up exhibitions showcasing their objects and their accompanying stories.

The Products

Website
The project's website brought the global hoarding community together, providing a space to share stories and belongings from individuals worldwide.
Generator
A key feature was the generator, which visually translated object stories into captivating representations.
Exhibition
To showcase the power of the virtual hoarding platform, I curated an exhibition featuring objects I had released during my personal journey. It served as a powerful demonstration of the platform's impact.

User Journey

Building the user's flow - for each of the goals.
User 1- comes to create a visual memory from his sentimental objects therefore he will access the Memory Creator generator on the site.
User 2 - is looking for belonging to the community, is interested in objects that have appeared in the community and reads their story out of identification, therefore will access the Community page on the website.
User 3- is interested in exhibitions of objects in the world, or in the exhibition where his objects will be displayed and will therefore go to the Running Exhibits page on the website.

Wireframes

Creating detailed wireframes allowed me to envision the platform's layout and user flow, ensuring an intuitive and engaging user experience.

[data-wf-bgvideo-fallback-img] { display: none; } @media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) { [data-wf-bgvideo-fallback-img] { position: absolute; z-index: -100; display: inline-block; height: 100%; width: 100%; object-fit: cover; } }

Final Result

The design language combines minimalistic colors with vibrant elements. An orange color palette symbolizes joy, creativity, and self-esteem, encouraging a more fulfilling and positive lifestyle. Transparency is utilized to create a heavenly and pleasant environment, while connecting and repeating lines evoke meditative and spiritual qualities.

The heading font exudes impact and resonates with modern museum aesthetics, incorporating a transition from busyness to relaxation through a combination of full and hollow letterforms. The text font is modern, rounded, and easy to read, ensuring a pleasant reading experience.

Results

This project provides valuable insights into the problem of hoarding, its prevalence, and potential solutions. By understanding the challenges individuals face in letting go of possessions and offering a virtual hoarding platform, the project aims to empower individuals to embrace proper consumerism, declutter their lives, and contribute to a more sustainable and fulfilling lifestyle.

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