“Winner of the Nike and MIT climate CoLab 2016 Materials Matter award”
THE CHALLENGE:
Together with fellow students, at Parson's The New School's Strategic Design and Management's MS Program, I worked to answer Nike's purpose statement:
Fabrics and textiles impact our climate -- a lot. How can we spark a materials revolution by rethinking how we value and use them?
We worked together to cultivate a united front against the challenge and branch our strengths and time wisely. We conducted research by surveying local stores, people, areas, material centers, and professionals in the material industry to gain and understanding of just what goes into sourcing massive amounts of materials all over the world.
Research
Through research and ideation tools, we gathered data to help solve the challenge.
We used innovative tools, to hone in on data, analyze it and extract insights needed to create and test potential solutions
GOAL: The Goal of SourceSeed was to provide designers the opportunity to co-buy better more sustainable material options together with other designers. With extensive research, interviewing, surveying, and data research, our team found the most common restrictions and problems facing designers of small business, middle industry, and large corporations. Using these insights, we developed SourceSeed to combat against high prices, tight deadlines, and option paralysis.
ACCESSIBILITY: Most designers or design students have limited access to sustainable and innovative materials. SourceSeed is the one and only platform that gives designers access to better choices. We empower designers to create a better future.
TIME EFFICIENT: SourceSeed platform researches the latest sustainable materials and informs available options to member designers. This saves designer’s time and hassles of researching and contacting suppliers.
COST-EFFECTIVE: SourceSeed will negotiate the best deal with manufacturers on behalf of designers to guarantee the best price when they co-purchase the innovative materials that are often costly. Designers can freely order their desired quantity without worrying about meeting minimum orders.
