[Case study]

Nowhere Collective

Clickable prototype for rapid user testing

Reached a clickable prototype in four weeks and took it into user testing.

[Stack]

Figma, Notion

[Duration]

4 weeks

Nowhere Collective home — reusable materials available from makers

Nowhere Collective product listing for an upcycled wood table

[What it is]

A marketplace for up-cycling creators

Nowhere Collective is a Chicago-based circular economy marketplace where upcycling makers turn reclaimed materials into handmade goods. Founder Katy Osborn wanted a marketplace where makers could source reusable materials from each other and sell what they make. In four weeks and two sprints we took that vision to a clickable prototype in Figma, which Katy then put in front of users; she says the testing sessions have proven the work.

The problem

Upcycling makers need two things: a supply of reclaimed materials, sometimes very specific ones like champagne corks or bread tabs, and buyers for what they make. Nowhere Collective runs Trashy Market events in Chicago, and its website has carried requests for specific materials.

One marketplace had to serve makers who both give and receive materials, and shoppers who only want to buy. It also had to feel like Nowhere Collective’s brand. As Katy put it, “there's a lot of nuance to pick up.” The first step was something real enough to put in front of users.

[How it works]

A clickable prototype in two sprints

Over two sprints we defined the product vision, built lo-fi wireframes, designed the hi-fi screens and linked them into a clickable prototype Katy could test with users.

User Flows

User type: Maker

Create a new account
Request reusable materials from other makers
Offer reusable materials to other makers
Create and market listings of finished upcycled goods
Manage the maker account and store profile

User type: End user

Create a new account
Browse and purchase upcycled items

What the screens show

A home feed of materials available from other makers, with a row of “Top Transformers” and an “I'm Interested” button on material offers
Maker profiles that count three things: materials received, materials contributed and transformations
Profile tabs for materials available, material requests and goods to discover
An “Add New Good” form for listing finished pieces, and product pages with a “Give kudos to the maker” button

Stack

Figma for the wireframes, the hi-fi screens and the clickable prototype, and Notion to plan the work. No code was written. The aim was to put the product in front of real users before building it.

Timeline

Four weeks over two sprints, from product vision to a clickable prototype.

Outcome

Katy took the prototype into user testing. In her words, “Our user testing sessions have proven that our work together is working.” People who saw it wanted to pass it on, too: “the people who see it are excited to show others!”

[Don’t just take our word for it]