More ≠ Better
by Adam Wolfe
The Problem
As a society we equate success with material wealth and debt is often seen as an acceptable option to acquire the things we want. Maybe the biggest problem with all of this, is that the more we consume, the more they manufacture, and it all has to go somewhere. It is in our nature to consume, but we aren't always consuming responsibly.
In what ways do young professionals living on their own in the Cincinnati area associate happiness with purchasing of non-essential material goods, and what is the longevity of that happiness.
Success Statement
Those who want to live a more minimal lifestyle will find it easier to do through smarter spending choices, and the support of a community of like-minded people.
Target Audience
Young professionals with disposable income, a place of their own, who are open minded to the idea of a more minimal lifestyle.
Research
In order to understand what would be most beneficial to my target audience I read articles, interviewed young professionals, and conducted a survey. I learned through my research that a majority of my audience was aware that maybe they weren't buying things for the right reasons, and placing too much importance on the act of buying, and not the item they were bringing into their lives.
Design Process
After understanding more about my audience catering my design to them was much easier. These are people who are seeking to make a positive change in their life and reduce their spending, and reliance on shopping for happiness. I designed around the idea that less is more, embracing minimalism as a starting point for my designs, while making sure to keep functionality of the product.
Design Solution
more ≠ better is an app designed to serve as a support system for those looking to live a more minimal lifestyle. The app provides that support through articles, monthly challenges, social forums, and most importantly a checklist. The check list allows the user to answer 8 simple questions to evaluate whether or not an item they intend to buy is something that will add enough value to their life to make it worth the purchase. Due to the fact that online shopping is only becoming more popular, an obvious offshoot of the app is a browser extension. The extension can detect when the user is about to make a purchase, and will prompt the them with a friendly message, asking if they would like to run through the checklist. The app and the extension both have the ability to be connected to the users bank account and transfer a % of the money they save using the checklist into a savings account for them. This provides a real reward for the individual, hopefully reinforcing the idea that more ≠ better.
