TULU
01. Overview
In this project was in collaboration with
“TULU” a growing company providing an in-building smart platform which gives tenants on-demand access to appliances, grocery staples, micro-mobility devices, and other products for purchase or short time rent. Tulu aims to combat over-consumption and it’s effects on both people and the environment with their motto “Own less, live more” .
In this project, I was joined by classmates in developing an innovative approach which will allow TULU to seize new opportunities in collage dorm environments.
02. Challenge
Existing TULU units function in known locations and offer a range of products tailored to the customer base in each location. While fitting for a residential building, the company encountered difficulties becoming fully integrated with customers daily life in a meaningful way. The rental units were often overlooked by many building residents who either already owned home-appliances, found themselves unwilling to share some types of products, or were hesitant to engage with this type of unfamiliar service.
How can the new and unique environment of a collage dorm be used to encourage interaction with a TULU unit?
How can the unit and it’s interactive elements be designed to best support students away from home?
03. Research
For this project, I utilized different research methods:
-A questionnaire about collage life and the struggles of moving into dorms, presented to people who are either expecting to move into dorms in the coming year or have done so in the past five.
-A set of interviews with recent graduates who have lived in dorms, to gain a deeper understanding of their experience.
-Market research of other possible solutions to the pain points identified, and how those solutions are utilised by potential users.
Following the “Jobs to be done” design methodology, I determined the solution must support users in fulfilling their need to feel settled in their new housing and bridge the difficulty in forming new social bonds, while easing the anxiety caused by attempting to determine which new items must be perused and stored in the limited space of a dorm.
04. Design process
While following the existing visual style of TULUs existing app, the solution involved designing and implementing a public vote during the first week of dorm life. This type of public-digital interaction is familiar to young people, and allows them to carefully begin engaging with others in a socially-safe way.
Students will be asked to vote and determine which three leisure items will be available for rent in their local unit, bringing TULU to their attention as a single general avenue to fulfill their personal needs, from saving space on appliances to cooking a snack.
Competitor analysis – User needs and potential competing solutions:
| “I want to make the space my own” | “I don’t know how to talk to anyone, but I want to be noticed” | “I don’t think anyone here is like me. I’m lonely.” |
| – Play music on Spotfy – Buy decorations on Amazon – Go the near Hardwere store | – Buy an outfit at a store – Do something stupid – Bake people cookies | – Call home – Post on facebook – Hide in bed |
| “I need a hammer to set up a shelf” | “I’m away from home, I want to try something exciting!“ | “Storing this large thing here is inconvenient” |
| – Go the near Hardwere store – Ask to borrow a tool – Call a professional | – Get drunk – Go exploring the campus – Start an argument | – Improvise storage – Give up a hobby – Find a relevant local club. |
05. Outcome
The proposed solution included a change in the TULU unit design, moving the unit screen to the center of the unit and increasing it’s size. A user flow detailing the vote and possibilities for user interactio