client project / ux research and design
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Lasso App Full-Design
An end-to-end app designed for managing and controlling a home recycling machine.
Designed for
my Role
worked with
Timeline
process
Background
Who's Lasso Loop, and What's Lasso?
Lasso Loop, our client, is a company dedicated to creating a sustainable future by addressing current recycling challenges. They are developing Lasso, a closed-loop recycling appliance that enables households to recycle effectively and efficiently while contributing to environmental conservation. Users can also profit from the pure materials processed through their recycling efforts.
While the current global recycling rate is below 20%, Lasso ensures that over 70% of materials from an item are recycled.
Once users place items into the appliance, it processes the items entirely, resulting in no waste.
All recycled materials are high-quality pure materials, available to re-enter the production cycle.
How does closed-loop recycling system work?
Current Challenge
Due to technical constraints, the Lasso appliance lacks an on-screen interface, creating a communication gap between users and the appliance. Users cannot see the recycling process, don’t receive explanations for rejected items, and don’t know when the container needs emptying.
Since Lasso is in its late development stages, unresolved usability issues may still exist, which could make it harder for users to see its value if launched with flaws. To ensure a smooth user-adoption, it was crucial to address these issues before launch.
Solution: A Mobile App to bridge technical gaps and shape users’ first experience with Lasso
To address current challenges, we determined that a mobile app is the most accessible, affordable, and scalable solution compared to alternatives like revamping the website or developing an on-screen interface.
Accessible
Over 90% of Americans own a smartphone (Pew Research, 2024), and mobile is the most effective method for real-time communication.
Affordable
Cost-effective than developing dedicated hardware and software for on-screen interface.
Scalable
Can broaden Lasso’s user base by making its services approachable to potential users. It also allows for future feature expansion, such as gamification.
Also beyond filling technical gaps, the app could shape users’ first experience with Lasso by delivering a seamless and engaging recycling experience — so that it could Lasso’s mission for a sustainable future.
Aldous (Founder & CEO)
What do you suggest?
Justin (UX Lead)
Let's build the Lasso App from the ground up, to provide users with a seamless and engaging recycling experience.
🤔
How might we shape Lasso users' recycling experience
simple and easy / engaging and rewarding
through the Lasso App?
Research
Research Strategy: Dealing with Double Ambiguity
There were initial challenges planning research: Lasso Appliance was an innovative prototype — which also meant that the product was unconventional and there were no existing users yet. We had to navigate two layers of ambiguity:
What are we designing?
What actually is the Lasso Appliance?
What can and can't the app do?
Are there any comparable products?
What would the app look like?
Who are we designing for?
Who will be the users?
Why would they choose Lasso?
What are their expectations?
How will they use the Lasso App?
Our strategy was to conduct two phases of research to address each ambiguity respectively. First, we conducted stakeholder interviews and a comparative analysis to determine what the Lasso App should do for a seamless recycling experience. Then, we conducted surveys, user interviews, and affinity diagramming to define how the Lasso App should meet users' expectations.
Phase 1. Preliminary Research
To answer "What are we designing?" we conducted preliminary research to gauge what the Lasso App should do to shape seamless recycling experience.
01
Stakeholder Interview
We started with stakeholder interviews to clarify the appliance's capabilities and limitations. Speaking with Aldous (CEO), Eddi (back-end dev), and Phil (mechanical engineer), we could identify gaps the app needs to fill by stepping in.
Appliance Management
Check Container Status
Schedule Material Pick-up
Troubleshoot Issues
Request Maintenance
Recycling
Real-time updates
Recycling Result
Progress Indicators
Feedback / Guide
Explain Rejection Reasons
Confirm recyclable items
(w/o appliance)
FAQ
Chatbot
Account
Recycling history
First time set up
Multi-user set up
* Colored items are with higher priority
02
Comparative Analysis
To understand market standards and users' expectations for similarly functioning products, we conducted a comparative analysis of three different product groups.
Recommendations
Strong hierarchy helps users complete high priority tasks efficiently
Rather than long onboarding/tutorial, provide instant and clear feedback/guidance while completing tasks
Gamification can be engaging, but should remain optional
Phase 2. User Research
We had to know about the users: who are we designing for. Although Lasso had no existing users yet, our clients provided email lists of pre-order customers. We focused our user research on two key groups: pre-order customers and potential users.
01
Survey
Online survey was distributed to Lasso Appliance's pre-order customers to understand their interests and expectations, receiving 22 responses. We limited the survey to pre-order customers to avoid misinterpretation of Lasso’s concept and to keep the survey concise.
82%
answered they have a high level of environmental awareness
60%
are uncertain about what items are recyclable
68%
prefer quick and efficient experience over an engaging one
78%
are not interested in gamification
02
User Interview
We interviewed 3 pre-order customers and 13 potential users.
Users want to complete tasks and resolve problems quickly and efficiently
📌 "(when I am using device-managing apps) I just want to resolve problems quickly."
📌 "I want to get to the necessary features quickly and avoid multiple button presses."
📌 "The Simpler, the better."
Lasso users are motivated by contributing to the environment.
📌 “I would love to also see how much they're contributing just to keep each other accountable.”
📌 “I not only want to know what I did but also what I'm not doing - where I can improve on”
Want to do recycling right, but don't want to spend extra time to learn
📌 "Not everyone know where to look for recycling information”
📌 "Maybe the app educates users giving tips, like do this rather than that."
📌 "I have no time for quiz or game."
03
Affinity Diagramming
To blend collected data and synthesize findings, we used affinity diagramming.
💡
translating Research Findings into Design Requirements
Users want to complete tasks and solve problem quickly and move on (interview, survey)
Weak informational hierarchy increases task completion time (comparative analysis)
✦ design requirement 1
Ensure Minimal & Efficient Interaction
As the main goal in using Lasso App is to manage the appliance, help users complete tasks easily in the fastest steps by prioritizing clear navigation and strong informational hierarchy.
Users want to recycle properly, and need guidance as many lack detailed knowledge (survey, interview)
Many users are reluctant to spend extra times on learning (interview)
Long onboarding decreases attention and engagement (comparative analysis)
✦ design requirement 2
Integrate Pervasive Educational Elements
Rather than having dedicated education page, let users learn naturally while doing their work. Provide guidance and tips at the right moments without disrupting the work.
Target users identify themselves having high level of environmental awareness (survey)
Knowing the impact of their contribution can motivate users (interview)
Gamification is generally unfavored (survey, interview)
✦ design requirement 3
Motivate by showcasing Impact
Celebrate and reward users for their efforts to keep them engaged. Keep them motivated by highlighting the impact of their effort with easy-to-comprehend data.
iteration & evaluation
Iterative design process validated by series of testing
Phase 1. Rapid Ideation
Initiating the design process, we established user flow and roughly sketched ideas. We rapidly tested these ideas by asking peers to complete simple tasks and asking their first impressions and explorative thoughts.
🌳
Representative Impact: Rather than analytic data, figurative symbols and friendly UX writing: e.g, "You made 2 trees breath!" was considered more intuitive and motivating.
🤳
Scanning Items: To check recyclable items, scanning through camera was favored rather than searching items from categorized list. Engineers verified scanning function was viable to implement.
Phase 2. Variants and Preference Testing
We created two variations of low-fidelity prototypes, then conducted 4 preference testing sessions.
Variant 1: Tab-Less approach
Recycling Process on the landing page, other features nested under the hamburger menu.
Assumptions
Strong hierarchy focusing on the core feature will make intuitive and simple user experience.
Testing Results
❌ There was a navigation challenge and learning curve.
❌ The app looked empty when there were no items being processed.
Variant 2: Four Tabs Approach
Bottom navigation with four distinct tabs: Home, Schedule, Scan, and Profile.
Assumptions
Bottom navigation bar will increase navigation time.
Multiple data visualizations will help users track effectively.
Testing Results
✅ Conventional navigation and modern interface was favored, makes it easier to use.
❌ Some data visualizations (half-circle progress bar) were not intuitive.
Converged Solution
By testing results, we decided to proceed with a mixed, 3 tab approach, ensuring natural and straightforward user flow with simple and conventional interactions, also with resolving issues participants pointed out during the testings.
Phase 3. Usability Testing and Repeated Iterations
Once we established the concept, we designed and tested high- and mid-priority features through eight usability sessions. We assigned 3-5 tasks to each participants to complete, analyzed success rates and completion times, identified key issues, and conducted debrief sessions to gather user feedback.
Optimized navigation system
Restructured bottom navigation to 4-tabs by reintroducing a "Scan" tab to reduce confusion, while reorganizing the tabs to meet users mental model better.
Reduced Cognitive Load
Some screens overwhelmed users with too much information, making it difficult to find insights at a glance.
Balanced Business Goals & Usability
Upon clients' request, we initially hid the scheduling option under 'Settings' to prevent unnecessary pick-ups. However, users found it frustrating and difficult to locate when they actually needed to empty their containers.
Phase 4. Increasing Fidelity and Heuristic Evaluation
Applying feedback from usability testing, we advanced our design to high-fidelity prototype then conducted heuristic evaluation for final evaluation and touch. We iterated areas where heuristic evaluation criteria was violated.
Violence 1: Visibility of System Status & Error Prevention
The scan feature lacked clear status cues and guidance for undetected or mismatched items. We addressed this by adding a processing icon, instructional prompts, and a thumbs-up/down confirmation to enhance feedback and refine scanning accuracy through Machine Learning.
Violence 2: Minimalistic & Aesthetic Design
Using seven colors for displaying each container's fill level disrupted cohesion and lacked meaning. We replaced them with pastel yellow and red highlights for clarity. Also we reserved Lasso-Yellow for key highlights to maintain a balanced visual.
✦ final design
Design Requirement 1
Straightforward and Effortless Recycling Experience
Recycling with Lasso is seamless — once user loading all of the items, the appliance and app handle the rest. With a clear, step-by-step flow, the app keeps users informed without unnecessary interruptions, only stepping in when action is needed.
If an item is returned, users receive a clear explanation and guidance on what to do next. When containers are full, the app effortlessly directs users to schedule a pickup.
Design Requirement 2
Pervasive Educational Elements
Rather than expecting users to go through tedious onboarding sessions, Lasso App will make learning seamless by providing helpful tips exactly when users need them.
Users will get guidance on using the app efficiently, along with useful recycling tips to support your sustainability efforts.
Design Requirement 3
Boasting motivation by highlighting environmental contribution
takeaways / Reflection
Leading the full UX process with a tight timeline was an intense yet rewarding experience. Throughout this, I gained two invaluable lessons:
01
How to get closer to ambiguous users
Defining our target audience was challenging since Lasso was a pre-launch product with no user base. However, through continuous research and testing, we progressively uncovered future users' motivations, needs, and expectations. Reducing ambiguity was one of the most fulfilling aspects of the project.
02
How to make evidence-based design decisions
With diverse perspectives and highly engaged clients providing frequent feedback, reaching consensus was challenging. As the UX lead, I ensured every design decision was research-driven. Through extensive research and continuous testing, we made informed choices down to the smallest details. This evidence-based approach streamlined decision-making and aligned our team around a shared vision: the users.
A huge thank you to the UX team, one of the best team I've worked with! Each member brought unique strengths and a exceptional teamwork.
Don't be a stranger!
@2025 Justin Jain Lee
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