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2015 / CATALUNYA POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, Barcelona /

Initial Challenge

In Barcelona’s vibrant design community, many studios and independent creatives sought sustainable, second-hand materials for their projects. However, there was no centralized platform to facilitate access to such resources, leading to inefficiencies and limited upcycling opportunities.​

The Method

As part of my Master’s thesis, our team undertook a comprehensive approach to develop a viable solution:​

  • User Research: Conducted interviews and surveys with local designers to understand their material sourcing challenges and needs.​

  • Market Analysis: Explored existing platforms and services to identify gaps and opportunities in the upcycling market.​

  • Value Proposition Design: Defined a clear value proposition centered on facilitating the donation, transformation, and resale of materials.​Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+1

  • Business Model Development: Created a detailed business plan outlining operational strategies, revenue streams, and social impact considerations.

The Solution

We developed Up2You, an upcycling platform designed to:​

  • Connect Donors and Creatives: Provide a seamless interface for individuals and businesses to donate materials, making them accessible to designers seeking sustainable resources.​

  • Promote Transformation: Encourage the creative reuse of materials by showcasing success stories and providing resources on upcycling techniques.​

  • Facilitate Resale: Offer a marketplace for designers to sell their upcycled products, promoting a circular economy and extending the lifecycle of materials.​

The platform’s ethos was encapsulated in the belief:​

“If it can’t be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled, or composted, then it should be restricted, redesigned, or removed from production.”

My Involvement
Role: Master’s Student in Business Innovation

As a key contributor to the project, I was responsible for:​

  • Conducting User Research: Engaged with the design community to gather insights and validate the platform concept.​

  • Defining the Value Proposition: Articulated the core benefits and unique selling points of Up2You to address identified user needs.​

  • Developing the Business Plan: Collaborated on creating a comprehensive plan detailing the platform’s operational model, financial projections, and impact metrics.​

  • Presenting Findings: Delivered presentations to academic panels and potential stakeholders, effectively communicating the platform’s vision and potential.

Last year I graduated from Catalunya Polytechnic with a degree of: Master in Business Innovation (MBI).

 

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