With their Re-Store model, the research group HvA Urban Technology enables municipalities and enterprises to calculate the environmental, economic, and social impact of organic waste treatment systems. In the big Excel sheet it was presented in now, the Re- Store model was not understandable yet for its users.
How can HvA Urban Technology make their Re-Store model usable and understandable to help the municipality and SME estimate the environmental, economical and social impact of different choices being made in the process of treating organic waste?
research
Through interviews we discovered users aimed to use the Re-Store model as a communication tool, to gain support for certain waste treatment methods. The calculated results would be their proof to make changes.
Creating an understanding of what input and output in the model meant became a big goal within our concept and we decided to take a more visual approach in a map overview of the waste treatment process.
concept tests
user interview
concept
The interface would become a visual representation of organic waste treatment systems. It shows the steps of waste treatment, like collection and transportation, in a map overview. Instead of having to give input in a big Excel sheet, the input could now be given in these visualized steps.
To ensure that users would understand what their input meant, we chose to always show the calculated impact on the screen. In a sidepanel, the numbers would change accordingly to the input that the user gives. This way, they can see what choices make a big difference.
concepting
For the final concept, I was mainly responsible for the visuals. We were creating an interface that mainly relied on visual communication, but as the tool would be used in a professional setting, we didn't want the interface to become too playful.
I decided to create isometric illustrations using simple line work and a monochrome color palette. In this, I took inspiration from blueprints.
The tool gives the user a calculation of the created scenario and lets them compare it to the current way of treating waste
final prototype
The final prototype's design was built around the created illustration. We kept the overlapping elements simple, so there weren't too many distractions on the page and users can fill in the necessary input easily.
In the results page, the user gets a final overview of the calculated impact along with deeper information and a comparison to the current scenario to create more understanding.
This project was part of the Master Digital Design (2019) of the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences in collaboration with the HvA Urban Technology research group.
