Creating sustainable steps and tools
for users of nicotine vapes to properly
dispose of their devices.
Role
Research
This project was part of my MS HCDE program. I defined the problem space, conducted secondary and usability research, developed user flows and storyboards, and helped design the product. I used Figma for prototyping, pen and paper for product ideation, Microsoft office for user research. This project was presented as part of a course showcase for HCDE 518.
This project helped me grow as a leader, expand my experience in service design, and increase my familiarity with the user experience design process.
Course
HCDE 518: User Centered Design | Winter 2024
University of Washington
M.S. Human Centered Design & Engineering
10 Week Timeline
Methods & Tools
Usability Testing
Secondary Research
Interaction Design
Prototyping
Wireframing
Google Docs
Team
Divya Mavinkurve
Hayley Jang
Seamus McPeake
Yubo Zhao
At a glance
The Problem
Disposable vapes contain lithium ion batteries which contribute to fires at waste manufacture plants.
(Check out an article about it here!)
The Solution
Informing users of proper disposal techniques through packaging redesigns and creating accessible, easy to find disposal bins for users.
The Context
Focusing in on an an untapped topic for a
sprawling market.
Initially - the project focus was on general battery disposal.
While looking at articles on the topic of battery disposal I came across an article about vapes causing fires in disposal facilities.
I proposed the topic change to my group and we decided to go in this new direction, as we thought it was more original and couldn't find a current solution for the problem.
Taking focus
Secondary research became the starting point for this project, coming across articles about disposable vapes and the issues their disposal is causing.
Check out some of the articles below:
The Problem
There are imited disposal options for "disposable"
nicotine vaporizers.
Disposable vapes contain lithium ion batteries, which are not meant to be disposed of in waste bins or recycling bins.
When nicotine vaporizers containing lithium ion batteries get processed at waste processing plants they can cause fires upon being crushed.
When the batteries are processed at regular recycling plants they have the potential to cause fires, chemical leaks, and are ineffective in material recovery.
The Goals
Research Goal #1
"Is the existence of improper vape disposal apparent?"
Research Goal #2
"Are users aware of proper vape disposal methods?"
The Research
Getting confirmation straight from the source.
Even with a niche topic we had a large number of potential participants to do research with: individuals who use disposable nicotine vaporizers.
With assistance from my group I was able to craft a survey to gather participants.
As long as they were over 18 years of age, and used disposable nicotine vaporizers within the past year we were interested in interviewing them. We used survey participants for our user interviews.
For the interview stage, participants engaged in a mix of virtual and in-person semi-structured interviews.
We asked a series of questions to figure out where individuals who use nicotine vaporizers dispose of them and their insights on proper disposal techniques.
Affinity mapping helped me and my group focus on takeaways
Insight #1
Users are unaware.
Between lack of education on how to properly dispose of a vape and the harmful effects, users are completely unaware and uneducated about proper vape disposal.
"I feel like there's a lack of education about proper disposal, it's part of the reason I didn't know." - Participant
Insight #2
Proper disposal is inconvenient.
From the navigation bar and clothing categories to the search bar; users can't find the appointment booking page.
Check out this quote from a participant that was a vape store owner and user of disposable nicotine vapes:
"I know it's (putting disposable vapes in the trash) harmful, but I don't think anyone makes such efforts, and not many are aware... I wish there were better ways, but we just tell them (customers) to throw it away." - Participant
The Solutions
Problem Statement
"How might we increase the convenience and awareness of proper vape disposal processes and techniques?"
Early Ideation
Group sketching to gather ideas.
Me and my group conduced a sketch brainstorming session to generate base ideas that could spread information for users and create higher levels of convenience.
From casing redesigns to battery changes, we had a wide variety of ideas and ultimately decided on using purposely designed community bins for convenience, and packaging redesign with an accompanied website for awareness.
Check out some of the sketches from the brainstorming session on the right!
Usability Testing
Low fidelity prototyping.
I conducted usability tests on users to test if users can understand our newly designed symbols and website interface mean.
Usability testing involving seeing if users can take the vape out of its packaging, scan the QR code, and go through our website.
I used a thinkaloud technique, asking users to discuss their thoughts on what they are seeing and how they would interact with it.
Check out some photos from the low fidelity prototype usability testing to the right!
1. Vape disposal bin with QR code and symbols
2. Vape packaging with QR code and symbols
3. Vape with QR code and symbols
1. Mobile interface prototype
Usability Problem #1
Participants were not aware of what the QR code did or what they were supposed to do with it.
Usability Problem #2
Participants misunderstood what the symbols on our packaging meant, and could not distinguish recycling symbolism from vape disposal symbolism.
Reiteration
After gathering feedback on prototypes, I moved forward with a new design approach for a higher fidelity prototype.
The Final Designs
Everything needed for the final design.
Even though the initial prototype was very low fidelity, the major painpoints were understood.
I designed a new print design for the vape packaging, the vape itself, and disposal bin.
With the help of my teammate we were able to create 3-D mockups of the final designs.
Medium Fidelity Prototype
New Box Design
A new vape box design features a symbol to let users know that the box itself is recyclable.
Additionally, the box features a QR code which users can scan to visit the ReVolt website.
Check out some photos from the medium fidelity prototype to the right!
Vape packaging redesign with disposal information and QR code for ReVolt website.
Medium Fidelity Prototype
New Vape Stickers
We designed stickers to be put on vapes to provide users with immediate information about vape disposal.
The sticker also has the ReVolt website QR code.
Check out some photos from the medium fidelity prototype to the right!
Vape sticker with disposal information and QR code for ReVolt website.
Medium Fidelity Prototype
Vape Disposal Bin
We designed a vape disposal bin that can be attached to existing disposal bins, or objects in common areas where vaping may occur.
The disposal bin has information about vape disposal and a QR code to the ReVolt website.
Check out some photos from the medium fidelity prototype to the right!
Medium Fidelity Prototyping
ReVolt Website Feature 1
The Revolt website has a map feature where users can locate disposal bins near them.
Users can input their current location and the website will locate their nearest disposal bin.
Check out some photos from the medium fidelity prototype to the right!
Usability Testing
ReVolt Website Feature 2
The website features further information on ways users can practice proper vape disposal techniques.
In addition to finding out about proper disposal techniques, users can learn statistics about the harm improper disposal does to our environment.
Check out some photos from the medium fidelity prototype to the right!
The Project End
What did we do with our design?
This project was presented as part of a showcase for the HCDE 518 course in my masters program. My group and I presented this project to other classmates and cohort members in different classes.
This project was presented as part of a showcase for the HCDE 518 course in my masters program. My group and I presented this project to other classmates and cohort members in different classes.
My team also decided to implement a feedback board so onlookers in class can give feedback on the project.
Short timeframe.
I would have liked to been able to run a few more iteration and user research sessions before finalizing on what we made. The end product was alright, but we didn't get to talk to users as much as I would have liked to.
All around I think this design solution was strong and could have real world impact if implemented at a government level. I feel strongly that with a bit more time and design work this could be a real solution.
Reflection
Learning the Process
This was my first project working in a team on the full user centered design process. I learned a lot about the foundations of how UCD works, design processes, and research.
Leadership
I took on leadership in many different aspects in this project including: Project ideation, Design direction, Research, and troubleshooting. I enjoyed working with my team and felt confident in my decisions to change course and take action when needed.
Physical Products
This was my first time working on a physical product, as we were instructed to do by our professor. Although our prototyping was largely digital, I am proud to have created an original idea that stands out from what other teams had created.