This project demonstrates how sustainability data can be transformed into a user-friendly digital experience. It also highlights the power of design in making environmental action more accessible, especially when supported by automation and visual feedback.
REFLECTION
We prototyped a clean, modern UI with intuitive navigation and bright, eco-themed visuals. The design emphasizes clarity and ease of use, while reinforcing trust through transparent data sources and minimal
cognitive load. *MOCKUPS COMING SOON*
We prototyped a clean, modern UI with intuitive navigation and bright, eco-themed visuals. The design emphasizes clarity and ease of use, while reinforcing trust through transparent data sources and minimal cognitive load. *MOCKUPS COMING SOON*
PROCESS AND APPROACH
PROCESS AND APPROACH
Carbon offsets allow users to cancel out their emissions by supporting projects that reduce or capture greenhouse gases.
USERS CAN:
Calculate your carbon footprint
Purchase carbon offsets equivalent to your individual emissions
The money is used toward projects that reduce or capture carbon dioxide
Carbon offsets allow users to cancel out their emissions by supporting projects that reduce or capture greenhouse gases.
USERS CAN:
Calculate your carbon footprint
Purchase carbon offsets equivalent to your individual emissions
The money is used toward projects that reduce or capture carbon dioxide
BOTTOM UP
Monthly subscription
Funds local and recent projects
Nature / Tech / Social
OFFSETS & YOU
OFFSETS & YOU
KILMA
Earn seeds for lifestyle and climate-friendly purchases
Purchase Offsets
Redeem rewards for gift cards or fund climate solutions to increase impact
More specific – starts with individual data points
Builds up to form a comprehensive larger picture
Provides more detailed insights
More time consuming
TOP DOWN
COMMONS
COMMONS
RESARCH AND INSIGHTS
THE CHALLENGE
Starts with a broad overview or high-level perspective
Focuses on the big picture before breaking into smaller components
Efficient for large-scale studies
Useful for identifying trends and patterns
Starts with a broad overview or high-level perspective
Focuses on the big picture before breaking into smaller components
Efficient for large-scale studies
Useful for identifying trends and patterns
Commons data collection is done in three ways:
USER-INPUTTED INFORMATION
In the Commons mobile app, users can provide information about their lifestyles (via the Carbon Survey) and their purchases (via transaction-level details) to personalize their carbon estimates.
AUTOMATED SPENDING DATA
Users can connect their spending history by linking their credit card, debit card, and bank accounts. Commons receives information on transaction vendors, amounts spent, and purchase categories. Instead of relying on self-reported estimates of purchases, this automated stream of data provides a timely, truthful picture of one’s actual consumption.
THIRD-PARTY DATASETS
Commons’ calculations pull in data from academia, government, and other trusted national, regional, and local datasets to improve the quality and relevance of estimates. These include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) model called the US Environmentally-Extended Input Output (US EIO) model.
We began by comparing top-down and bottom-up data collection approaches. We looked at how platforms like Commons and Klima handle carbon estimates and user input. Our research highlighted the importance of automation, transparency, and emotional design to maintain user interest.
We began by comparing top-down and bottom-up data collection approaches. We looked at how platforms like Commons and Klima handle carbon estimates and user input. Our research highlighted the importance of automation, transparency, and emotional design to maintain user interest.
Many sustainability tools are too technical or overwhelming for the average user. People want to make climate-conscious choices, but struggle to understand how their daily actions translate into emissions. Existing apps often lack clear visuals, streamlined flows, or engaging feedback loops that support lasting behavior change.
Many sustainability tools are too technical or overwhelming for the average user. People want to make climate-conscious choices, but struggle to understand how their daily actions translate into emissions. Existing apps often lack clear visuals, streamlined flows, or engaging feedback loops that support lasting behavior change.
ABOUT ME WORK CONNECT
REFLECTION
My collaborator and I designed a user-friendly interface for a carbon tracking app focused on helping users monitor their environmental impact. The goal was to encourage sustainable behavior through a gamified experience while simplifying complex data for everyday use.We began with user research and behavior analysis, then developed wireframes and prototypes for key features including personalized carbon tracking, progress dashboards, and actionable insights.
My collaborator and I designed a user-friendly interface for a carbon tracking app focused on helping users monitor their environmental impact. The goal was to encourage sustainable behavior through a gamified experience while simplifying complex data for everyday use.We began with user research and behavior analysis, then developed wireframes and prototypes for key features including personalized carbon tracking, progress dashboards, and actionable insights.
My collaborator and I designed a user-friendly interface for a carbon tracking app focused on helping users monitor their environmental impact. The goal was to encourage sustainable behavior through a gamified experience while simplifying complex data for everyday use.We began with user research and behavior analysis, then developed wireframes and prototypes for key features including personalized carbon tracking, progress dashboards, and actionable insights.
This project demonstrates how sustainability data can be transformed into a user-friendly digital experience. It also highlights the power of design in making environmental action more accessible, especially when supported by automation and visual feedback.
RESARCH AND INSIGHTS
THE CHALLENGE
We began by comparing top-down and bottom-up data collection approaches. We looked at how platforms like Commons and Klima handle carbon estimates and user input. Our research highlighted the importance of automation, transparency, and emotional design to maintain user interest.
Many sustainability tools are too technical or overwhelming for the average user. People want to make climate-conscious choices, but struggle to understand how their daily actions translate into emissions. Existing apps often lack clear visuals, streamlined flows, or engaging feedback loops that support lasting behavior change.
Starts with a broad overview or high-level perspective
Focuses on the big picture before breaking into smaller components
Efficient for large-scale studies
Useful for identifying trends and patterns
TOP DOWN
More specific – starts with individual data points
Builds up to form a comprehensive larger picture
Provides more detailed insights
More time consuming
BOTTOM UP
Earn seeds for lifestyle and climate-friendly purchases
Purchase Offsets
Redeem rewards for gift cards or fund climate solutions to increase impact
COMMONS
Commons data collection is done in three ways:
USER-INPUTTED INFORMATION
In the Commons mobile app, users can provide information about their lifestyles (via the Carbon Survey) and their purchases (via transaction-level details) to personalize their carbon estimates.
AUTOMATED SPENDING DATA
Users can connect their spending history by linking their credit card, debit card, and bank accounts. Commons receives information on transaction vendors, amounts spent, and purchase categories. Instead of relying on self-reported estimates of purchases, this automated stream of data provides a timely, truthful picture of one’s actual consumption.
THIRD-PARTY DATASETS
Commons’ calculations pull in data from academia, government, and other trusted national, regional, and local datasets to improve the quality and relevance of estimates. These include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) model called the US Environmentally-Extended Input Output (US EIO) model.
Monthly subscription
Funds local and recent projects
Nature / Tech / Social
KILMA
Carbon offsets allow users to cancel out their emissions by supporting projects that reduce or capture greenhouse gases.
USERS CAN:
Calculate your carbon footprint
Purchase carbon offsets equivalent to your individual emissions
The money is used toward projects that reduce or capture carbon dioxide
OFFSETS & YOU
We prototyped a clean, modern UI with intuitive navigation and bright, eco-themed visuals. The design emphasizes clarity and ease of use, while reinforcing trust through transparent data sources and minimal cognitive load.
*MOCKUPS COMING SOON*
PROCESS AND APPROACH
Monthly subscription
Funds local and recent projects
Nature / Tech / Social
KILMA
Earn seeds for lifestyle and climate-friendly purchases
Purchase Offsets
Redeem rewards for gift cards or fund climate solutions to increase impact
Commons data collection is done in three ways:
USER-INPUTTED INFORMATION
In the Commons mobile app, users can provide information about their lifestyles (via the Carbon Survey) and their purchases (via transaction-level details) to personalize their carbon estimates.
AUTOMATED SPENDING DATA
Users can connect their spending history by linking their credit card, debit card, and bank accounts. Commons receives information on transaction vendors, amounts spent, and purchase categories. Instead of relying on self-reported estimates of purchases, this automated stream of data provides a timely, truthful picture of one’s actual consumption.
THIRD-PARTY DATASETS
Commons’ calculations pull in data from academia, government, and other trusted national, regional, and local datasets to improve the quality and relevance of estimates. These include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) model called the US Environmentally-Extended Input Output (US EIO) model.
THE CHALLENGE
BOTTOM UP
More specific –
starts with
individual data points
Builds up to form a comprehensive larger picture
Provides more detailed insights
More time consuming
RESARCH AND INSIGHTS