Using Human-Centred Design to Solve a Waste Challenge
Nomat was engaged to tackle a familar waste problem using human-centred design.
Using Human-Centred Design to Solve a Waste Challenge
Nomat was engaged to tackle a familar waste problem using human-centred design.
Using Human-Centred Design to Solve a Waste Challenge
Nomat was engaged to tackle a familar waste problem using human-centred design.
Background
Waste collection and processing is a significant challenge facing communities all around the world.
In 2019, Nomat employed our human-centred design (HCD) expertise to work through the waste collection problem within our own community. This project involved developing a solution to address the issues identified with waste collection, and propose a methodology to implement this solution.
Background
Waste collection and processing is a significant challenge facing communities all around the world.
In 2019, Nomat employed our human-centred design (HCD) expertise to work through the waste collection problem within our own community. This project involved developing a solution to address the issues identified with waste collection, and propose a methodology to implement this solution.
Background
Waste collection and processing is a significant challenge facing communities all around the world.
In 2019, Nomat employed our human-centred design (HCD) expertise to work through the waste collection problem within our own community. This project involved developing a solution to address the issues identified with waste collection, and propose a methodology to implement this solution.
What we did
By drawing on our design thinking skills, Nomat was able to map out existing processes holistically. Part of this process was understanding where the issues were, and questioning the solutions currently in place.
What we did
By drawing on our design thinking skills, Nomat was able to map out existing processes holistically. Part of this process was understanding where the issues were, and questioning the solutions currently in place.
What we did
By drawing on our design thinking skills, Nomat was able to map out existing processes holistically. Part of this process was understanding where the issues were, and questioning the solutions currently in place.
A human-centred design approach
To tackle the design problem, we used the Double Diamond approach to human-centred design, which proved to be crucial in understanding such a multifaceted and complex system.
The first half of this Double Diamond method emphasises the importance of understanding the problem space before defining multiple possible solutions, while the second half of the method works to validate the best solution with real users.
A human-centred design approach
To tackle the design problem, we used the Double Diamond approach to human-centred design, which proved to be crucial in understanding such a multifaceted and complex system.
The first half of this Double Diamond method emphasises the importance of understanding the problem space before defining multiple possible solutions, while the second half of the method works to validate the best solution with real users.
A human-centred design approach
To tackle the design problem, we used the Double Diamond approach to human-centred design, which proved to be crucial in understanding such a multifaceted and complex system.
The first half of this Double Diamond method emphasises the importance of understanding the problem space before defining multiple possible solutions, while the second half of the method works to validate the best solution with real users.
Thorough research and investigation provided key insights regarding the problem space, and allowed us to fully understand the challenges involved. Field visits helped to uncover issues that might not otherwise have been visible.
Thorough research and investigation provided key insights regarding the problem space, and allowed us to fully understand the challenges involved. Field visits helped to uncover issues that might not otherwise have been visible.
Thorough research and investigation provided key insights regarding the problem space, and allowed us to fully understand the challenges involved. Field visits helped to uncover issues that might not otherwise have been visible.
Understanding the problem space
By undertaking a range of research activities and looking at the issue from different angles, Nomat was able to uncover important aspects of the problem.
Research activities included:
A review of existing evidence-based research, such as reports on waste and waste management produced by governments and non-profits (such as Planet Ark).
Interviewing some of the major waste recycling firms and local council waste department representatives about the challenges and barriers they face with waste management.
Field visits to a materials recovery facility and a council waste transfer station to see the process in person.
Understanding the problem space
By undertaking a range of research activities and looking at the issue from different angles, Nomat was able to uncover important aspects of the problem.
Research activities included:
A review of existing evidence-based research, such as reports on waste and waste management produced by governments and non-profits (such as Planet Ark).
Interviewing some of the major waste recycling firms and local council waste department representatives about the challenges and barriers they face with waste management.
Field visits to a materials recovery facility and a council waste transfer station to see the process in person.
Understanding the problem space
By undertaking a range of research activities and looking at the issue from different angles, Nomat was able to uncover important aspects of the problem.
Research activities included:
A review of existing evidence-based research, such as reports on waste and waste management produced by governments and non-profits (such as Planet Ark).
Interviewing some of the major waste recycling firms and local council waste department representatives about the challenges and barriers they face with waste management.
Field visits to a materials recovery facility and a council waste transfer station to see the process in person.
Design activities
Developing a high-level journey map gave Nomat an overview of the waste process and helped us focus on which part of the process to target.
From there we used ‘How Might We’ questions to frame different parts of the problem and an exercise called Crazy 8’s to quickly generate a large amount of ideas.
Ideas were narrowed down and prioritised for further refinement by focusing on an agreed success criteria.
Design activities
Developing a high-level journey map gave Nomat an overview of the waste process and helped us focus on which part of the process to target.
From there we used ‘How Might We’ questions to frame different parts of the problem and an exercise called Crazy 8’s to quickly generate a large amount of ideas.
Ideas were narrowed down and prioritised for further refinement by focusing on an agreed success criteria.
Design activities
Developing a high-level journey map gave Nomat an overview of the waste process and helped us focus on which part of the process to target.
From there we used ‘How Might We’ questions to frame different parts of the problem and an exercise called Crazy 8’s to quickly generate a large amount of ideas.
Ideas were narrowed down and prioritised for further refinement by focusing on an agreed success criteria.
Key findings that influenced the proposed solution
Some of the key challenges and findings uncovered through the research process were:
The presence of non-recyclable contaminants in kerbside recycling was a major challenge for recycling firms
A lack of co-ordinated education initiatives around recycling
Huge variation in bins and their signage in terms of visual style
Community engagement and education is a critical factor, but the information provided is often inconsistent and the available ‘education apps’ are often complex and overwhelming
Key findings that influenced the proposed solution
Some of the key challenges and findings uncovered through the research process were:
The presence of non-recyclable contaminants in kerbside recycling was a major challenge for recycling firms
A lack of co-ordinated education initiatives around recycling
Huge variation in bins and their signage in terms of visual style
Community engagement and education is a critical factor, but the information provided is often inconsistent and the available ‘education apps’ are often complex and overwhelming
Key findings that influenced the proposed solution
Some of the key challenges and findings uncovered through the research process were:
The presence of non-recyclable contaminants in kerbside recycling was a major challenge for recycling firms
A lack of co-ordinated education initiatives around recycling
Huge variation in bins and their signage in terms of visual style
Community engagement and education is a critical factor, but the information provided is often inconsistent and the available ‘education apps’ are often complex and overwhelming
Process employed by Nomat
Interviews
Surveys
Contextual inquiry
Design activities (journey map, idea generation and prioritisation exercises).
Process employed by Nomat
Interviews
Surveys
Contextual inquiry
Design activities (journey map, idea generation and prioritisation exercises).
Process employed by Nomat
Interviews
Surveys
Contextual inquiry
Design activities (journey map, idea generation and prioritisation exercises).
Waste is an important issue and people want to do the right thing. But they’re also confused and won’t spend exhaustive effort to work out what to do. This suggests solutions need to reduce the onus on the individual to seek information.
Waste is an important issue and people want to do the right thing. But they’re also confused and won’t spend exhaustive effort to work out what to do. This suggests solutions need to reduce the onus on the individual to seek information.
Waste is an important issue and people want to do the right thing. But they’re also confused and won’t spend exhaustive effort to work out what to do. This suggests solutions need to reduce the onus on the individual to seek information.
Design concept solution
Following these research activities, a range of solutions were explored. In the interest of serving as many local councils in Victoria as possible, a design system was proposed.
The intention of the design system was to act as a library which contained reusable resources, elements and templates that have been user tested and proven to be recognisable and understandable by the public. Guidance on how best to apply and use each element within the design system would also be provided.
The ultimate objective of the design system was to equip and empower the local councils to make effective and consistent communication materials and education initiatives with as little duplication of effort as possible.
The project is ongoing.
Design concept solution
Following these research activities, a range of solutions were explored. In the interest of serving as many local councils in Victoria as possible, a design system was proposed.
The intention of the design system was to act as a library which contained reusable resources, elements and templates that have been user tested and proven to be recognisable and understandable by the public. Guidance on how best to apply and use each element within the design system would also be provided.
The ultimate objective of the design system was to equip and empower the local councils to make effective and consistent communication materials and education initiatives with as little duplication of effort as possible.
The project is ongoing.
Design concept solution
Following these research activities, a range of solutions were explored. In the interest of serving as many local councils in Victoria as possible, a design system was proposed.
The intention of the design system was to act as a library which contained reusable resources, elements and templates that have been user tested and proven to be recognisable and understandable by the public. Guidance on how best to apply and use each element within the design system would also be provided.
The ultimate objective of the design system was to equip and empower the local councils to make effective and consistent communication materials and education initiatives with as little duplication of effort as possible.
The project is ongoing.
Interested to know more? Let’s Talk.
Interested to know more? Let’s Talk.
Interested to know more?
Let’s Talk.