Lessn
thesis project / Ui & UX Design
Lessn is the product of a semester-long project in which we were to choose a topic and view it through the “metaphor of translation”. I chose to look at climate change and how we can translate a person’s carbon footprint into actionable data, and then use this to encourage changes to their habits in order to live a more sustainable lifestyle.
Abstract
Climate change is the most urgent and pressing danger of our time. Studies have shown us the terrifying conseqences of climate change time and time again, and we’ve begun to see them for ourselves. Whether it be the Australian fires of 2020, or the increasingly dangerous hurricane season in America, we know it’s only going to get worse. The collapse in biodiversity and ecosystems has consequences we have yet to know the full extent of. People are often frustrated by the slow pace of policy that helps combat climate change. Sometimes we feel as though if we can’t get legislation passed that addresses this issue, there’s not much else we can do in the meantime to reduce our environmental impact. Although laws to fight climate change are important, there’s more we can do to fight our own role in this issue and to hurt the planet less. Bringing awareness to how reducing an individual’s impact on climate change by reducing their carbon footprint through lifestyle changes can help make a difference.
ADVISORS
Connie Hwang, SJSU Graphic Design Professor
Earl Gee, SJSU Graphic Design Professor
Benoit Delaveau, SJSU Environmental Studies Professor
Research
After running a short survey to determine whether people are interested in resolving the issues that we as individuals contribute to global CO2 emissions, the results I found were overwhelmingly positive. Granted it was a majority young, college educated sample, but I believe these results speak to the need for a tool that would help people willing to make changes to their lifestyle. Not a one-size-fits-all solution, but something that addresses each unique individual’s lifestyle and helps them make changes.
Ideation
I originally approached the design of the app in a more utilitarian sense, but over time began to look for inspiration elsewhere. Rather than finding inspiration in existing carbon tracking apps, I was inspired by more dynamic and fluid interfaces, like that of the Apple Watch. Something that changes and adapts; an interface that feels alive. This would also go on to influence the color palette of the app, which is made up of vibrant but airy colors that make for an almost soothing experience.
Outcome
Based on what I learned from the survey I conducted and from my own research into exploring different possible ways to solve the problem of people having the will to make eco-friendly lifestyle changes, but not knowing where to start, I decided an app would be best positioned to address the issue. I named the app Lessn, and it would learn the habits of users through the places they frequent and spend time in, analyzing the businesses in the vicinity and suggesting eco-friendly alternatives that would help users reduce their environmental impact.
FLOWCHART
Ease of use is paramount to Lessen. Users have multiple ways of getting into the app, from widgets and notifications, to shortcuts. Once inside, the app presents information in easy to tap circles, which bring up more detailed information in cards, which users can navigate away from by swiping them back down. This allows for a more fluid, gesture-based user experience.
“We are the first generation to feel the effect of climate change and the last generation who can do something about it.”
USER STORIES
So, how would people use Lessn? The following are possible scenarios that showcase how people from different backgrounds might make lifestyle changes to reduce their carbon footprint with the help of Lessn.
Darren
Music Teacher
Income: $55,000
Hobbies: Catching some waves
Darren is a music teacher in Santa Cruz. Even before Lessn, he already took steps to reduce his impact on the environment, such as using a reusable bottle, and avoiding using his car when he can bike to work instead. But he isn’t really sure where else in his life he can make changes to go even greener. After first downloading Lessn, he just goes about his day as usual. But as he does, Lessn begins to learn about Darren’s habits, such as the kind of restaurants he might be eating at, his shopping habits, and his utility usage. After a few days, Darren receives a notification suggesting a burger joint right down the street from his job. Opening the app, he learns that they offer highly rated Beyond burgers, which would reduce his diet carbon footprint by over half for the day. Lessn has started him on a path to reduce his carbon footprint by ways only he can, since it learns from him and adapts to his habits.
Jenny
Accountant
Income: $84,000
Hobbies: Beekeeping
Jenny is an accountant that has a very busy schedule. She wishes she could do more to reduce her carbon footprint, but she doesn’t know where to start. But her friend tells her about Lessn, and she downloads it right away. She’s pleased by the quick and easy set-up process, and goes on about her day as Lessn runs in the background, learning her habits. Over the course of the next few days, she begins to make meaningful reductions in her carbon footprint thanks to the suggestions from the app, which convinces her to vegan after she sees what a meatless week does for her environmental impact. She thought she never could, due to her love for baked treats. But after receiving an alert for a local vegan donut shop, she’s finally convinced to make the switch. Thanks to Lessn, she learned how much of a difference her diet could make on her footprint.
“The greatest danger we face is apathy.”
Conclusion
Most people believe climate change is a major threat, and they recognize its severity. Most are willing to make substantial changes to their lifestyle in order to help combat climate change. If presented with an alternative that is more eco-friendly and sustainable than what they are used to, many are quite likely to give it a try. People just need to know what those alternatives are, and they need to see how all those little changes add up into big shifts in our behavior and habits. We are social beings and are susceptible to influence from our peers. If that influence pushes us in the right direction, we as a society can become more environmentally conscious, and together we can make a significant impact in the fight against climate change. I believe Lessn addresses the issues that can make a transition to a more sustainable existence so difficult by presenting users with environmentally conscious alternatives to what they’re used to.