Above: Various methods of disposal of used goods / Modern man trapped between stuff and space. 2005
Sharer! - service design
       INDEX

 

This concept evolved under the framework of the Service Design course "Zoom In , Zoom out" . I worked with Vinay Venkatraman on this for 7 weeks. We have also presented the concept to the local postal authorities and would are currently working on modalities of running a pilot project. We had an interest in how in an economy with an excess of personal objects and a shortage of time/space we can create a service to encourage the sharing of objects. We plan to leverage the physicality of shared/linked spaces for sharing object, to create user experiences that build community interactions. Our project researches into interpersonal limitations and possibilities of sharing of objects. What types of objects people are willing to share. Which with social circles are people willing to share with. How peoples relationships change with objects when the history of the object changes, that is will people feel uncomfortable when they do not know how the object is used when they are not around it.

Design Process - We started our investigation by studying existing recycling systems, The "Kabadiwalla" or junk man in India, the "Garage Sale" system in the U.S and the Storage space concept in some urban scenarios.In the process we conducted user studies under simulated conditions, Ran a mockup service, resolved logistical issues, Prepared a business Plan and revenue model and worked on several touch points and the interactions involved in the same.

Core Idea - The systems seeks to develop an collaborative object sharing system, users can upload pictures, give description and browser other people object through a website. The system works in collaboration with the postal system and the postman is the point of contact to the lender. A series of secure electronic lockers are the transit point for the object and the borrower picks up the object and deposits it back there after the loan period is up. Each module of the service works within a postal code to build better trust and simplify logistics. But the service by itself is scalable to any geographic size and object volume.

The service model runs in 2 levels - 1. Basic level - where the users input and browse objects being lent through the service. the borrower and lender have arrange for the pickup and other logistics involved. 2. Premium level - Where the service provider arranges for the logistics, offers insurance on the object and helps the user make a little rental fee on the object.

Our Touch points in the system are - 1. The 'Sharer!' Service Website 2. The local postman 3. The 'Sharer!' lockers in post office.
                        NEXT
MOVIE 1 MOVIE 2 MOVIE 3