Thriftly
UX/UI Design
Thriftly was a second-year project where I explored a problem within the theme of sustainability, focusing on the impact of fast fashion. The goal was to develop a feasible solution through a digital experience that encourages more mindful and sustainable consumer behaviour.
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Fast fashion's rapid cycle contributes heavily to environmental damage, consuming vast resources and generating excessive waste. People often find it difficult to make eco-friendly choices because sustainable options feel less convenient and accessible compared to mainstream fast fashion.
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People are more likely to adopt sustainable habits when they are convenient, rewarding, and seamlessly integrated into daily life. Making sustainable actions easy encourages participation and supports long-term behavior change
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Thriftly is a versatile platform that empowers users to upcycle, buy, sell, and donate clothes. By rewarding transactions and offering interactive quizzes and learning activities, Thriftly encourages sustainable behavior in a way that is accessible, engaging, and integrated into everyday life.
Rising problem: fast fashion
As fast fashion rapidly expands, its contribution to irreversible environmental damage grows. Through this project, I explored the industry’s impact on sustainability and the need for change.
Fast Fashion: A Growing Problem
My research revealed that fast fashion has evolved into a global trend, with people increasingly drawn to constantly changing styles, often without understanding the environmental consequences of their choices. Further competitive analysis helped understand that while current solutions are efficient common gaps such as limited user engagement around sustainability and spreading awareness prevailed.
“I don't know much about fashion sustainability”
To better understand the problem, I conducted interviews that revealed key challenges: while people cared about sustainability, they often lacked the motivation to act and leaned toward easier, more convenient choices.
Getting rewarded for making better choices.
Thriftly incentivizes sustainable actions through rewards and gamification, encouraging users to actively participate in building a more sustainable future. While also making learning about sustainability fun and interactive.
Simple, clear, and engaging
I wanted the app to feel visually engaging yet accessible for all users. To achieve this, I implemented consistent visual standards and chose a blue and purple theme to convey trust and positivity while maintaining clarity in the design.
“I would never buy used clothes”
During testing, a few people shared that buying second-hand clothes just didn’t sit right with their personal values. After lots of reflection and brainstorming, I proposed an alternative: giving users the option to donate to sustainability-focused charities instead. This solution aligned better with their mindset while still supporting the cause.
