MiYo
MiYo won 3rd place (Bronze) in Student Service Design Challenge 2021
/ Jury Statements
“Team Hula Hoops presents a triggering service that can make us reflect on how we perceive previous ownership and re-use. Rather than using platform technology for selling and buying used toys, they chose a different path by giving discarded toys quite literally a voice and making their history visible to let toys gain personality and become more attractive for reuse.”
“The team has developed a really ambitious circular solution. One of the biggest obstacles to circular transition is retaining value for things people don’t want anymore. This service solution addresses the problem head on by focussing on the child as the user. The idea proposes a change of mindset around value using technology to help children have an extended appreciation of toys. Of course, this should take place in a protected and secure environment for the children.”
“Through engaging storytelling, children build valuable relationships with the things they already have by reimagining them, changing behaviours for the next generation.”
Problem Statement
Project Overview
/ Context
The project was developed as part of the SSDC21, focusing on reverse logistics and circular economy, particularly within the context of sustainable toy lifecycles. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for improved home-based services, making this project timely and relevant.
/ Challenges
There was a need to create a service that could help extend the lifecycle of toys by encouraging reuse and reducing waste, all while engaging children and their caregivers in a meaningful way.
/ Objectives
The goal was to design a service that promotes the reuse and sharing of toys within local communities, leveraging technology to create a user-friendly and engaging platform.
Challenge:
Student Service Design Challenge 2021 (SSDC21)
Project Duration: 2021
Project Type: Circular Economy, Service Design, UX Design
Your Role: Designer, Concept Developer, and Visualiser
Team Members:
Emma Teli, Julia Rangel, Mehrdad Atariani, Nardin Shafik, Zhengang Lou
Research and Insights
/ User Research
The project involved extensive research into circular economy principles, reverse logistics, and user behaviors concerning toy use and disposal. The team analyzed the challenges associated with toy waste and the potential for community-based sharing platforms.
/ Key Findings
Many toys have a short lifecycle and are often discarded prematurely, leading to unnecessary waste. There was an opportunity to create a platform that could bring new value to used toys by involving children in the process of sharing and swapping them within their communities.
/ Personas and Journey Maps
Developed personas representing children and caregivers, focusing on their motivations for keeping or discarding toys and their openness to participating in a toy-sharing service.
Design Process
/ Ideation
The concept of “MiYo” (Mine is Yours) was developed as an online platform where children and caregivers can scan their toys, create 3D interactive models, and share the toys’ stories with others in the community.
/ Concept Development
The platform allows users to browse, adopt, donate, or swap toys using an intuitive interface. The design process included creating 3D models of toys, integrating Augmented Reality (AR) features, and developing a seamless user experience across devices.
/ Wireframes and Prototypes
Detailed wireframes and prototypes were developed for the MiYo platform, focusing on ease of use, especially for children. Prototypes included key features like toy registration, 3D modeling, and AR integration.
/ User Testing
Prototypes were tested with both children and caregivers to ensure that the platform was engaging, easy to use, and effective in promoting the sharing and reuse of toys.
Final Solution
/ Design Overview
MiYo is an innovative service platform that allows children and their caregivers to extend the lifecycle of toys by participating in a local sharing network. The platform includes features such as 3D modeling of toys, AR visualization, and community-based toy swapping and adoption.
/ Key Features
1. Toy registration with 3D interactive modeling.
2. Augmented Reality to visualize toys within a home environment.
3. Options to swap, donate, or adopt toys within the local community.
4.Eco-friendly bike delivery service for the transportation of toys.
/ Visuals
High-quality images of the MiYo platform interface, 3D toy models, and AR features.
/ Design Artifacts
Business Model Canvas, Service Blueprint, Video. and Hero Image were developed to ensure a comprehensive and well-rounded service design.
Reflections and Learnings
/ Challenges Faced
Designing a platform that was both engaging for children and practical for caregivers was a significant challenge. Balancing the educational aspects with fun and usability required careful consideration.
/ Solutions
The team used iterative testing and feedback loops to refine the platform, ensuring that it met the needs of both children and caregivers while promoting sustainable behavior.
/ Key Takeaways
The importance of designing with both sustainability and user engagement in mind was reinforced throughout the project. The success of MiYo underscores the potential of service design to address environmental challenges creatively.