Sustain-a-Look Case Study
Bridging Sustainability & Fashion Through Smart Shopping
Overview
Sustain-a-Look is a platform designed to promote sustainable fashion choices by helping users discover ethical brands, track their shopping habits, and make environmentally conscious decisions. The challenge was to create an intuitive experience that educates and empowers users to choose sustainable alternatives while maintaining a seamless shopping experience.
Problem Statement
Consumers who want to shop sustainably often struggle with finding reliable ethical brands, understanding the impact of their purchases, and balancing affordability with sustainability. Existing platforms lacked transparency and an engaging way to encourage sustainable fashion choices.
Research & Insights
User Interviews & Key Findings
Conducted 10+ interviews with eco-conscious shoppers and general consumers interested in sustainability.
Found that 80% of users were unsure how to verify a brand's sustainability claims.
Identified that users wanted personalized recommendations based on their style preferences.
Noted that cost was a significant barrier—users needed a way to compare ethical options within their budget.
Competitive Analysis
Analyzed platforms like Good On You, ThredUp, and Depop.
Found that while existing platforms provided ratings, they lacked an interactive and educational experience.
Saw an opportunity to incorporate real-time impact tracking to motivate users to shop more sustainably
User Research and Feedback
Based on user personas and journey maps, we identified several key pain points:
Users struggled to navigate back to the Marketplace from the Checkout page
Filtering and sorting products were difficult for users
Issues with readability due to low contrast and small font sizes were frequently noted by users with visual challenges
Inconsistent design elements across various pages contributed to confusion and dissatisfaction
Design Process
Core Features & UX Priorities
Sustainability Ratings – Users can view detailed ethical ratings of brands based on transparency, labor practices, and materials.
Personalized Recommendations – AI-powered suggestions tailored to users’ fashion preferences and sustainability goals.
Impact Tracker – Users can see the carbon footprint reduction based on their shopping habits.
Budget-Friendly Alternatives – Highlights sustainable brands with affordable pricing to encourage realistic shopping shifts.
Wireframing & UI Design
Created low-fidelity wireframes to structure key flows like product discovery, sustainability tracking, and checkout.
Developed high-fidelity mockups focusing on aesthetic yet functional design.
Implemented a filtering system that allows users to sort by sustainability factors, price, and brand values.
Prototyping & Usability Testing
Built an interactive prototype using Figma.
Conducted usability tests with target users to assess clarity and engagement.
Refined the impact tracking feature to make sustainability benefits more visually compelling.
Final Solution
Empowered Sustainable Choices – Users can shop confidently, knowing the ethical impact of their purchases.
Actionable Insights – Impact tracking provides tangible motivation for users to stick to sustainable habits.
Seamless Shopping Experience – A visually appealing, easy-to-use interface that integrates sustainability without disrupting usability.
Affordability Considerations – Users can find ethical alternatives without exceeding their budget constraints.
Impact & Results
Increased Sustainable Purchases – Users were 50% more likely to choose ethical brands when presented with sustainability insights.
Greater Awareness – 70% of users reported increased awareness of fashion’s environmental impact after using the app.
Higher Engagement – Users spent an average of 30% more time exploring brands compared to traditional fashion apps.
Reflection & Next Steps
Enhanced Community Features – Introduce user-generated reviews and sustainability challenges.
Retailer Partnerships – Collaborate with sustainable brands to offer exclusive discounts.
Expanded Data Tracking – Develop AI-driven sustainability insights based on users’ shopping patterns.