Plotted
Redistributing together
Team
Brandon Tam (Visual Lead and UX designer)
Rae Peterson (Project Manager and Visual Designer)
My role
Annie Shen (UX Lead and Visual Designer)
User research, concept direction, prototyping, wireframing, concept strategy, visual identity, visual design
Context
Design for Change
Adobe Creative Jam + SoDa Agencies
Mentors
Dana Herkelrath
Usman Fahimullah
Kimya Ramezani
Dani-Meluski Jimenez
Laura Cortez
Judges
Jess Sattell
Tom Beck
Anne Moertel
Overview
Many small family farms in the U.S. struggle to produce and sell their farm products, and 2.3 million households in rural communities struggle with food insecurity. Fresh untouched produce is thrown away, while the cycle of this struggle continues.
The Challenge
How can we reduce food waste and instead redistribute food to those in need?
The Objective
We created Plotted to be a tool for farmers, local neighbors, and markets to create partnerships to redistribute affordable produce. Plotted allows small farmers to gain the opportunity to profit from their farm, keep track of their farm’s progress, all while supporting their local community.
My Role
I provided and assessed research regarding the reasons for food insecurity, what actions can be taken, as well as while how we can do so with sustainability in consideration. I also provided visuals and created graphic illustrations to give the app a touch of personality.
Discovery
Statistics
According to sources like Feeding America, rts, and fao:
CONTAMINATION released into the environment. A by-product of growing and raising livestock, food crops, animal feed, and biofuel crops.
MONUMENTAL QUANTITIES of fertilizers, manure, and pesticides in those operations are only a few factors of pollution.
SOURCES OF POLLUTANTS like nitrogen-based fertilizers produce potent greenhouse gases. Can overload waterways with dangerous pollutants. Chemical pesticides with varying toxicological effects can contaminate our air and water (can even be directly found in our food).
METHANE is a significant contributor to global warming - released by the digestive system of cows.
TWO CATEGORIES OF AGRICULTURAL POLLUTION are: pollution from raising animals and pollution from growing crops, animal feed, human food, and biofuel crops
CLIMATE CHANGE affects soil health
Before COVID, +35M people struggled with hunger (including over 10M children)
After COVID, Millions of families have no stable employment. +54M (including 18M children) may experience food insecurity.
Americans discard nearly 40 million tons of food every year.
Drought and conflict are the main factors that have exacerbated the problem of food production, distribution, and access.
Key Insights
Soil/Crop Health is important in ensuring crops will be able to grow without threats being an issue for production rate.
Harvest Readiness can be announced so that nearby food banks that are seeking the crops are aware.
Distribution Farm Statistics are important for the farmer in understanding their farm and how redistribution has helped the community as a whole.
Conceptualize
Information Architecture
The project lead visualized our identified aspects of food insecurity between small local farms, food banks, and food-insecure households. We also assessed when who can step in, and how they can contribute/benefit each other.
Wireframing
The visual lead collected our teams insights and ideas together and created a general visualization of what our ideas would look like in a mobile format.
The Design
Key Interactions
FARM DATA
Keep track of important addresses on your trip. Then share your trip details and live location with friends.
The map shows any important resources, unsafe areas to avoid, or recent incidents.
CROP HEALTH
View the plot’s health to see what improvements can be made and what is affecting the projected harvest date.
HARVEST READINESS
Schedule redistribution by seeing which food banks are interested in their crops when they are ready.
Friendly Illustrations
In times of feeling anxious, calming colors and friendly illustrations give a more personal touch. Buddi is meant to be the user’s buddy, not just a tool for safety.
Interactive Prototype
The interactive prototype can be accessed here via Xd.
Takeaway
The wasting of produce has led to harm done to the environment and to our communities. Redistribution of produce will not only reduce the world’s environmental burdens from surplus but, also allow for communities to be supported and acknowledged.