Mercä: Your Smart Sustainable Vending Machine

Mercä: Your Smart Sustainable Vending Machine

Mercä: Your Smart Sustainable Vending Machine

Mercä is a smart sustainable vending machine that allows you to shop sustainable on the go! With focusing on zero waste in packaging and product waste, with Mercä you get a chance to shop smart and local!

PRODUCT DESIGN

PRODUCT DESIGN

PRODUCT DESIGN

Project Timeline

Project Timeline

Project Timeline

6 weeks

6 weeks

6 weeks

Team

Team

Team

Grace Lim
Valery Marier
Felicity King

Grace Lim
Valery Marier
Felicity King

Grace Lim
Valery Marier
Felicity King

Role

Role

Role

UX/UI Designer

UX/UI Designer

UX/UI Designer

Tools Used

Tools Used

Tools Used

Figma, Invision, HotJar, Miro, Notion, Github, Adobe

Accomplishment

Accomplishment

Accomplishment

Beta Launch with 200 customers

Beta Launch with 200 customers

Beta Launch with 200 customers

Challenge

Challenge

Challenge

It’s challenging to buy nutritious food in a convenient yet eco-friendly manner. Few real sustainable choices exist for consumers, particularly given the prevalent greenwashing tactics leveraged by major corporations, making it difficult for our eco-aware clientele to make informed decisions. We aimed to disrupt this pattern, offering a smarter, more sustainable retail alternative with Mercä. Environmentally mindful consumers can easily purchase sustainably cultivated, package-free food using Mercä's vending machines while on the move. These machines can be operated via their mobile devices, with no on-the-spot payment needed for added convenience.

Our why

The overarching cultural narrative over sustainable products seems to be one of individual choice. A perspective that stems from Enlightenment thinking, it puts the blame on the shopper and tells them that they need to change their ways to make the world more sustainable. Yet, this flawed way of thinking fails to realize that there aren't any convenient options currently in the market to enable shoppers to change. Moreover, most ‘sustainable’ options on the market are out of the way and problematically packaged.

The overarching cultural narrative over sustainable products seems to be one of individual choice. A perspective that stems from Enlightenment thinking, it puts the blame on the shopper and tells them that they need to change their ways to make the world more sustainable. Yet, this flawed way of thinking fails to realize that there aren't any convenient options currently in the market to enable shoppers to change. Moreover, most ‘sustainable’ options on the market are out of the way and problematically packaged.

The overarching cultural narrative over sustainable products seems to be one of individual choice. A perspective that stems from Enlightenment thinking, it puts the blame on the shopper and tells them that they need to change their ways to make the world more sustainable. Yet, this flawed way of thinking fails to realize that there aren't any convenient options currently in the market to enable shoppers to change. Moreover, most ‘sustainable’ options on the market are out of the way and problematically packaged.

242 m

242 m

242 m

Plastic Packaging Waste (in tons)

25%

25%

25%

Sustainable Inaccessibility

Sustainable Inaccessibility

Sustainable Inaccessibility

77%

77%

77%

Eager to live sustainably

Eager to live sustainably

Eager to live sustainably

Design Challenge

Design Challenge

Design Challenge

How might we provide sustainable retail alternatives that are accessible, healthier and smart while uplifting local sustainable practises?

How might we provide sustainable retail alternatives that are accessible, healthier and smart while uplifting local sustainable practises?

How might we provide sustainable retail alternatives that are accessible, healthier and smart while uplifting local sustainable practises?

Solution

Solution

Solution

The crux of the idea for Mercä is that it is a sustainable vending machine that can essentially be placed anywhere. It avoids problematic plastic packaging by using a combination of cameras and weight sensors to dispense product into customers' reusable containers without spilling everywhere. These food products are locally produced eliminating the carbon emissions caused by international/national transport.

User Research of Problem Space

COMPREHENDING OUR CONSUMER DEMOGRAPHICS
Our main demographic for this product is millennials in search for ecologically responsible retail options swamped within a capitalistic model of drastically unsustainable packaged items. Our initial and key method of consumer research involved examination and plotting consumer interactions within local supermarkets and chain stores such as Walmart, along with environmentally conscious chains like bulk barn. Upon reviewing these journeys, we discerned locations where consumers can select sustainable alternatives and pinpointed their challenges and opportunities. These results are synthesized within the graph below.

MARKET ANALYSIS

In order to comprehend our user's surroundings, we opted for observation as our core research methodology along with doing competitive and campariive analysis with the current market products. Our team members were each linked to sustainable shops, neighborhood grocers, and retail conglomerates respectively. After numerous observations and brief interactions with customers, we synthesized our insights into a user journey map, juxtaposing the trio of options.

USER PERSONAS

With our user data from observations, secondary research, user interviews and our competitor analysis, our team came up with several user personas that would provide a direction to our product design. One of them is compiled below.

INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE & FEATURES

After taking a dig deep in our user personas reflecting their pain points and motivations, below are some features that we came up with. Being on such a short timeline we weren't able to completely build out all the features.

Vending Machine

- Product search feature
- App login connectivity using scanning
- Hold button for product dispensing
- Viewing window to check product status
- Digital weighing scale at the dispensing window
- Environmentally friendly machine (can possibly display Mercä advertisements on its digital screen)

Companion App

Companion App

Companion App

- Look up by item/appliance- Loyalty program
- Transaction & former buying records
- Shopping List
- Locator for Mercä's presence with potential live stock status for user awareness
- Online resource for knowledge on sustainable living practices
- Community element to live sustainably

Visual Design: Style Guide

To develop the branding and visual design features of the application we wanted to go with a neutral color palette setting up a warm and friendly ethos. The supporting colors would provide a strong contrast allowing users to distinguish between our tasks. To approach our youth audience, we used a typeface DM Sans which has a modern as well as a lighter tone matching our primary palette.

We used our marketing campaign with this approach in mind, our ads featured a “call to action” to learn more on our website, rather than to shop immediately, as the pressure to make a purchase in that moment may deter them from interacting with the post. We also included photos of vibrant, healthy foods made with the ingredients available at Mercä in order to showcase the products we carry and to relate our brand to health and wellness.

To develop the branding and visual design features of the application we wanted to go with a neutral color palette setting up a warm and friendly ethos. The supporting colors would provide a strong contrast allowing users to distinguish between our tasks. To approach our youth audience, we used a typeface DM Sans which has a modern as well as a lighter tone matching our primary palette.

We used our marketing campaign with this approach in mind, our ads featured a “call to action” to learn more on our website, rather than to shop immediately, as the pressure to make a purchase in that moment may deter them from interacting with the post. We also included photos of vibrant, healthy foods made with the ingredients available at Mercä in order to showcase the products we carry and to relate our brand to health and wellness.

Typography

DM Sans

Google font

Regular

Semibold

Rakkas

Google font

Regular

Name

Font weight

Font size

Line height

Display 2

Extra Light

40px

1.3 x font size

Heading 1

Bold

36px

1.3 x font size

Heading 2

Bold

28px

1.3 x font size

Lead Paragraph

Regular

22px

1.5 x font size

Body Large

Regular / Semibold

20px

1.7 x font size

Body Medium

Regular / Semibold

18px

1.7 x font size

Body Normal

Regular / Semibold

16px

1.7 x font size

Body Small

Regular / Semibold

14px

1.7 x font size

Mercä Asparagus

HEX #71915E

Darker

HEX #2659BF

Lighter

HEX #99BBFF

Subtle

HEX #E3EDFF

Brand Colors

Success

HEX #06C270

Info

HEX #0063F7

Warning

HEX #FFCC00

Error

HEX #FF3B3B

State Colors

Product Ideation

Product Ideation

Product Ideation

After brainstorming the unique features of the application, our group worked to integrate them in low-fi sketches which were then developed into initial wireframes. With lots of critiques and discussions, we took the best out of each work to develop low-fidelity mockups for user testing. Below are some examples of the same.

Our product ideation process consisted of the whole team working on the looks of the vending machine with lots of initial sketching. We wanted the machine to have a smart look instead of the regular vending machines with a sleek UI that would appeal to our millennial audience. At the same time looking at the technology that would be used for measuring the user's own container

After brainstorming the unique features of the application, our group worked to integrate them in low-fi sketches which were then developed into initial wireframes. With lots of critiques and discussions, we took the best out of each work to develop low-fidelity mockups for user testing. Below are some examples of the same.

Our product ideation process consisted of the whole team working on the looks of the vending machine with lots of initial sketching. We wanted the machine to have a smart look instead of the regular vending machines with a sleek UI that would appeal to our millennial audience. At the same time looking at the technology that would be used for measuring the user's own container

After brainstorming the unique features of the application, our group worked to integrate them in low-fi sketches which were then developed into initial wireframes. With lots of critiques and discussions, we took the best out of each work to develop low-fidelity mockups for user testing. Below are some examples of the same.

Our product ideation process consisted of the whole team working on the looks of the vending machine with lots of initial sketching. We wanted the machine to have a smart look instead of the regular vending machines with a sleek UI that would appeal to our millennial audience. At the same time looking at the technology that would be used for measuring the user's own container

Prototypes & Mockups

Prototypes & Mockups

Prototypes & Mockups

The final application allows them to sign up as a Mercä member on a mobile device as well as search up a Mercä near them and dipense products.

Companion App
The final application allows them to sign up as a Mercä member on a mobile device as well as search up a Mercä near them and dipense products.

Companion App
The final application allows them to sign up as a Mercä member on a mobile device as well as search up a Mercä near them and dipense products.

Companion App
The final application allows them to sign up as a Mercä member on a mobile device as well as search up a Mercä near them and dipense products.

Mercä brings you

fresh & local straight from farmers to your homes

Find your Mercä to shop sustainable, local and fresh in town

Shop now

Good morning

Rachel Green

Riverdale

Search category

Ramadan Offers

Get 25%

Grab Offer

angle-right

Ramadan Offers

Get 25%

Grab Offer

angle-right

Ramadan Offers

Get 25%

Grab Offer

angle-right

Categories

See all

Fruits

Vegetables

Dried Fruits

Cereals

Mixed Dried Fruits

1kg, 4$

Ramadan Dates

1kg, 45$

4

4

See all

Best selling

Good morning

Rachel Green

Riverdale

Search category

Ramadan Offers

Get 25%

Grab Offer

angle-right

Ramadan Offers

Get 25%

Grab Offer

angle-right

Ramadan Offers

Get 25%

Grab Offer

angle-right

Categories

See all

Fruits

Vegetables

Dried Fruits

Cereals

Bell Pepper Red

1kg, 4$

4

See all

Best selling

Account Number

************786

Membership Since

September 2023

Number of Visits

6

4

See all

Done

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

0

Enter your mobile number

We will send you a verification code

+44

(000) 000-00-00

Continue

By clicking on “Continue” you are agreeing to our terms of use

Mercä: Riverdale

Bell Pepper Red

1kg, 6$

Arabic Ginger

1kg, 4$

Butternut Squash

1kg, 8$

Fresh Broccoli

1kg, 2$

Fresh Lettuce

1kg, 2$

Organic Carrots

1kg, 4$

Fresh Spinach

1kg, 2$

Cherry Tomato

1kg, 4$

Dispense

1kg, 4$

Ramadan Dates

4

Ginger is a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root or ginger, is widely used as a spice and a folk medicine.

100%

Organic

1 Year

Expiration

4.8 (256)

Reviews

80 kcal

100 Gram

Cart

Bell Pepper Red

2kg

Butternut Squash

4kg

Arabic Ginger

6kg

Organic Carrots

2kg

Items Dispensed

Dispense

Review

Dispense

Dispense

Abdulmalik Qasim

Mercä hero

10 Min

Mercä: Riverdale

Details

Items

Reviews

1499 Riverdale Avenue

Store

Queens Road London

Your place

Vending Machine
The final application allows them to sign up as a Mercä member on a mobile device as well as search up a Mercä near them and dipense products.


Vending Machine
The final application allows them to sign up as a Mercä member on a mobile device as well as search up a Mercä near them and dipense products.


Vending Machine
The final application allows them to sign up as a Mercä member on a mobile device as well as search up a Mercä near them and dipense products.


Vending Machine UI
The final application allows them to sign up as a Mercä member on a mobile device as well as search up a Mercä near them and dipense products.


Vending Machine UI
The final application allows them to sign up as a Mercä member on a mobile device as well as search up a Mercä near them and dipense products.


Vending Machine UI
The final application allows them to sign up as a Mercä member on a mobile device as well as search up a Mercä near them and dipense products.


Feedforward

Feedforward

Feedforward

As Mercä was a quick sprint project for 6 weeks, we were not able to completely analyze our market as well as work on the user insights and feedback provided during the user testing stage.
‍
1. Some questions were not answered like what would we do of the products that didn’t sell? Would that be food waste? How would we ensure the freshness of the product? How can we make sure that the company is ensuring a complete sustainable lifecycle of the product?
‍
2. Also being a vending machine, how many products would you be selling? Is it worth just having a few products, like will the users be willing to take a trip for 3-4 goods and bring their own container? We reflected on this question as a group, the machines could also be Mercä store, like a sustainable store with the same practices.
‍
3. Our topic being sustainability and retail, how are other ways that we could be using the brand to build awareness among our users and attract new customers? Probably have workshops for our users that could enable them to further understand how to live a further sustainable lifestyle.

As Mercä was a quick sprint project for 6 weeks, we were not able to completely analyze our market as well as work on the user insights and feedback provided during the user testing stage.
‍
1. Some questions were not answered like what would we do of the products that didn’t sell? Would that be food waste? How would we ensure the freshness of the product? How can we make sure that the company is ensuring a complete sustainable lifecycle of the product?
‍
2. Also being a vending machine, how many products would you be selling? Is it worth just having a few products, like will the users be willing to take a trip for 3-4 goods and bring their own container? We reflected on this question as a group, the machines could also be Mercä store, like a sustainable store with the same practices.
‍
3. Our topic being sustainability and retail, how are other ways that we could be using the brand to build awareness among our users and attract new customers? Probably have workshops for our users that could enable them to further understand how to live a further sustainable lifestyle.

As Mercä was a quick sprint project for 6 weeks, we were not able to completely analyze our market as well as work on the user insights and feedback provided during the user testing stage.
‍
1. Some questions were not answered like what would we do of the products that didn’t sell? Would that be food waste? How would we ensure the freshness of the product? How can we make sure that the company is ensuring a complete sustainable lifecycle of the product?
‍
2. Also being a vending machine, how many products would you be selling? Is it worth just having a few products, like will the users be willing to take a trip for 3-4 goods and bring their own container? We reflected on this question as a group, the machines could also be Mercä store, like a sustainable store with the same practices.
‍
3. Our topic being sustainability and retail, how are other ways that we could be using the brand to build awareness among our users and attract new customers? Probably have workshops for our users that could enable them to further understand how to live a further sustainable lifestyle.

10

Canadian Universities open

to partnership

32%

32%

32%

Business Partnerships

Business Partnerships

Business Partnerships

87%

87%

87%

Individual Signups

AI Integration

Mercä will leverage AI in several ways to enhance user experience, optimize operations, and ensure sustainability. AI-powered precision dispensing can use computer vision and weight sensors to accurately dispense products into reusable containers without spills. Personalized recommendations and dynamic pricing can analyze past purchases, suggest complementary products, and adjust prices based on demand and stock levels to minimize waste. AI can also optimize the supply chain by predicting restocking needs and tracking carbon footprints, ensuring locally sourced products align with sustainability goals. Additionally, AI-driven fraud prevention can detect improper container use and enable seamless checkout through face or QR recognition. To further engage users, AI-powered sustainability insights can track and display carbon footprints, while gamification features can reward eco-conscious behaviors, encouraging sustainable choices. By integrating AI, Mercä can create a seamless, efficient, and environmentally friendly shopping experience.