Overview
During my time working on Circulaire at Ministry of Programming, I played a key role in shaping the app’s design and functionality.
I contributed to the design and development of the watchlist and notification system, ensuring a seamless user experience for tracking second-hand items.
Additionally, I worked on enhancing eco-friendly motivation features, making sustainability metrics more accessible and engaging.
My work also included refining UX flows and improving personalized recommendations, helping transform Circulaire from a simple search tool into a fully interactive second-hand shopping platform.
Contributions
Product Design
Visual Design
User Experience
Prototyping
Year
2023
Challenges & Pain Points
The Frustration of Second-Hand Shopping
Meet Emma, a Vintage Fashion Enthusiast
Emma, a 32-year-old fashion lover from Berlin, enjoys curating a wardrobe full of unique second-hand pieces. She’s always on the hunt for rare finds, but the process is frustrating. One evening, she spots a gorgeous vintage leather jacket on a second-hand store’s website.
Excited, she tries to track down similar options but quickly hits roadblocks:
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No Personalization
Emma has no way to save her preferences, meaning every visit requires her to start from scratch. She can’t set alerts for price drops or new arrivals that match her style.
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Scattered Inventory
She jumps between multiple stores, each with different interfaces, search filters, and availability. There’s no unified platform showing what’s in stock across all retailers.
♻️
No Sustainability Insights
Emma wants to make environmentally conscious choices but has no visibility into how much CO2 or water she saves by buying second-hand instead of new.
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Search Struggles
Filters are inconsistent, making it hard to find exactly what she wants. Some stores list items by category, others by brand, and sizes aren’t standardized.
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Lost Opportunities
By the time she finally finds the perfect jacket again, it’s already sold out. No notifications, no second chances. Frustrated, Emma gives up and considers buying new instead.
Solving the Problem
A Seamless Second-Hand Experience
Circulaire was designed to address these frustrations by creating a centralized, intelligent, and user-friendly second-hand shopping experience.
The platform brings together multiple retailers, optimizes search, and introduces features that keep shoppers engaged and informed.
📌
Smart Personalization
Custom recommendations, watchlists, and notifications ensure Emma never misses out on an item she loves.
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One-Stop Inventory
A unified marketplace aggregates second-hand stores, eliminating the need for multiple searches.
♻️
Sustainability Metrics
Clear impact insights show how much CO2 and water are saved per purchase, empowering eco-conscious decisions.
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Optimized Search & Filters
Standardized categories, size conversions, and improved search functionality make finding the right item effortless.
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Real-Time Alerts
Instant notifications for price drops and restocked favorites keep users engaged and encourage purchases.
📲
Mobile-First Design
Optimized for easy browsing, filtering, and purchasing on the go.
Results & Impact
A Smarter, More Sustainable Shopping Experience
By evolving from a simple search engine to a fully-featured second-hand marketplace, Circulaire has transformed the way users shop, making it smarter, more engaging, and environmentally conscious.
✅
Increased User Engagement
Personalized recommendations, watchlists, and notifications keep users engaged and actively returning to the platform.
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Encouraging Sustainable Choices
Environmental impact metrics show the benefits of buying second-hand, encouraging eco-conscious consumer behavior.
✅
Seamless Shopping Experience
Users can easily browse multiple stores, saving time and effort while making eco-friendly purchases.
✅
Scalability & Growth
The platform now supports millions of products and is prepared for future expansion, ready to accommodate the second-hand market across multiple countries.
