1. Brainstorming process explanation

During our team's brainstorming session, we employed a systematic procedure taught in class to guide the brainstorming process. Each team member actively contributed by creating a post-it note outlining a potential solution to the identified problem (the diverge phase of the brainstorming process). Here we focused on using the "YES, AND" technique to incentivize the creative process. This initial step allowed for a diverse range of ideas to be presented.

Divergent process

2. Decision process

To choose the idea for the semester, team members participated in a voting process, where they could cast their votes for any of the proposed ideas on the posted notes (each member of the group voted for 3 ideas that they thought were the best). This voting phase facilitated a collaborative decision-making process, ensuring that the most favored solutions emerged organically. Following the voting, we strategically narrowed down our choices by selecting four distinct ideas: one for its rationality, another for its potential to delight, a third as a long shot, and the final one for the darling (this phase is called the converge phase and is made of the BINGO). In the end, we chose one to be developed into a digital prototype.

Convergent process

3. Empathy maps

To visualize better: https://www.canva.com/design/DAF8E7H7goc/pcCCFwjxJUlT2HiUHMy9Mg/edit?ui=eyJHIjp7fX0

Student-buyer empathy map

Student-seller empathy map

Teacher empathy map

4. Personas

To visualize better: https://www.canva.com/design/DAF8HxpEpG4/gCNYxcpk8BUxLaTy1Y03hg/edit

Student-buyer persona

Student-seller persona

Professor persona

5. Description of the solution

A mobile application designed to facilitate the exchange of second-hand academic materials among students. The app provides a platform for students to connect with sellers within their university to buy and sell academic materials they no longer need, thereby reducing waste, promoting sustainability, and making it more accessible to students.

The key ideas for the app are the following:

• Listing Items: Sellers create listings for their academic materials, providing details and photos.
• Searching for Materials: Buyers search for specific materials they need or browse available listings.
• Communication: Buyers and sellers communicate through the in-app messaging platform to negotiate prices and arrange meetups.
• Meetups: Users arrange to meet on campus or at a designated location to exchange materials in person.
• Transaction: Once the exchange is complete, buyers confirm receipt of the materials and sellers receive payment.
• Feedback: Both parties have the opportunity to leave feedback and reviews, contributing to the community's reputation and trustworthiness.
• Optional: In order to engage even more environmentally and money less ideas, there could be a trading option where instead of offering a product for money, the seller can ask for other materials in exchange.