4Ocean: Closed Loop Solutions
4Ocean: Closed Loop Solutions
Class Project - Fall 2024
Class Project - Fall 2024
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
4Ocean is an ocean cleanup company with a mission to end the Ocean Plastic Crisis. However, a tarnished reputation, decreased revenue, and limited environmental impact have left 4Ocean struggling to stay afloat. Our 3-phase solution creates new and lasting revenue streams, restores credibility, bolsters brand awareness, and targets plastic pollution at the source.
4Ocean is an ocean cleanup company with a mission to end the Ocean Plastic Crisis. However, a tarnished reputation, decreased revenue, and limited environmental impact have left 4Ocean struggling to stay afloat. Our 3-phase solution creates new and lasting revenue streams, restores credibility, bolsters brand awareness, and targets plastic pollution at the source.
ROLES
ROLES
Project Manager
UI Designer
Industrial Designer
Researcher
Project Manager
UI Designer
Industrial Designer
Researcher
TOOLS
TOOLS
Figma
Rhino 7
Keyshot 11
Adobe Illustrator
Figma
Rhino 7
Keyshot 11
Adobe Illustrator
COLLABORATORS
COLLABORATORS
Corey West
Zoe Bair
Ellie Fowler
Pingyao Wang
Corey West
Zoe Bair
Ellie Fowler
Pingyao Wang
UX METHODOLOGIES
UX METHODOLOGIES
01
01
SCOPE
SCOPE
SCOPE
Defining the Problem: Tackling Ocean Plastic Pollution Through Corporate Innovation
Defining the Problem: Tackling Ocean Plastic Pollution Through Corporate Innovation
11 million tons
of plastic waste enters our oceans every year.
11 million tons
of plastic waste enters our oceans every year.
-Ocean Conservancy
-Ocean Conservancy
In 2020, the volume of plastic waste increased by 60% and is predicted to hit 825 million by 2050.
~ National Library of Medicine
ORIGINS
ORIGINS
Founded in 2017 by Alex Schulze and Andrew Cooper, 4Ocean was inspired by the devastating plastic pollution they witnessed while visiting Bali, leading them to take action against the growing environmental crisis.
Founded in 2017 by Alex Schulze and Andrew Cooper, 4Ocean was inspired by the devastating plastic pollution they witnessed while visiting Bali, leading them to take action against the growing environmental crisis.
4Ocean's Mission Statement
4Ocean's Mission Statement
4Ocean is a mission-driven, for-profit business, dedicated to ending the ocean plastic crisis.
4Ocean is a mission-driven, for-profit business, dedicated to ending the ocean plastic crisis.
CURRENT BUSINESS MODEL
4Ocean's cleanup efforts are funded primarily in two ways: product sales and business partnerships.
Product Sales
4Ocean currently sells 269 products, 75 of which are variations of the 4Ocean bracelet, a core symbol of the brand which funds the removal of 5 pounds of ocean plastic.
Business Partnerships
In 2021, 4Ocean partnered with Barbie, whose manufacturer, Mattel, has been responsible for producing over 24 million pounds of plastic waste.
CONSUMER DISTRUST
Public skepticism surrounding 4Ocean’s transparency and impact has created barriers to trust. Addressing these concerns is essential for rebuilding credibility and fostering long-term consumer loyalty.
CONSUMER DISTRUST
Public skepticism surrounding 4Ocean’s transparency and impact has created barriers to trust. Addressing these concerns is essential for rebuilding credibility and fostering long-term consumer loyalty.
PHASED APPROACH
02
DISCOVERY
DISCOVERY
Uncovering Opportunities Through Research and Technology Insights
02
DISCOVERY
Uncovering Opportunities Through Research and Technology Insights
02
DISCOVERY
Uncovering Opportunities Through Research and Technology Insights
02
DISCOVERY
Uncovering Opportunities Through Research and Technology Insights
Stormwater accounts for 80% of plastic waste entering the oceans every year.
Stormwater accounts for 80% of plastic waste entering the oceans every year.
Stormwater accounts for 80% of plastic waste entering the oceans every year.
~ United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
~ United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
~ EPA
Seventy-eight percent of ocean microplastics are synthetic tire rubber, according to recent estimates. Currently, there is no effective way to recover these microplastics.
Seventy-eight percent of ocean microplastics are synthetic tire rubber, according to recent estimates. Currently, there is no effective way to recover these microplastics.
~ Yale Environment 360
EXISTING OPERATIONS
4ocean conducts comprehensive cleanup operations across various locations to combat ocean plastic pollution. Their efforts are particularly focused in Florida, Haiti, Guatemala, and Bali.
River Booms
Ocean Cleanup
Investment in Technology
SURVEY
To gain a better understanding of how relevant the ocean plastic crisis is to the public, we sent out a short survey to gain insights into what users think is most important for ocean restoration.
SURVEY
To gain a better understanding of how relevant the ocean plastic crisis is to the public, we sent out a short survey to gain insights into what users think is most important for ocean restoration.
Opportunity Space
Opportunity Space
4Ocean's clean-up operations primarily take place in coastal areas. When we conducted our survey, our team discovered that a third of respondents live in landlocked cities, highlighting an opportunity to expand 4Ocean’s mission beyond coastal areas and tackle pollution where it begins.
4Ocean's clean-up operations primarily take place in coastal areas. When we conducted our survey, our team discovered that a third of respondents live in landlocked cities, highlighting an opportunity to expand 4Ocean’s mission beyond coastal areas and tackle pollution where it begins.
EXISTING OPERATIONS
4ocean conducts comprehensive cleanup operations across various locations to combat ocean plastic pollution. Their efforts are particularly focused in Florida, Haiti, and Guatemala
River Boom
Ocean Cleanup
Investment in Technology
HOW MIGHT WE?
How might we expand 4Ocean’s impact by shifting efforts inland to address the root causes of ocean plastic pollution before it reaches the water?
How might we expand 4Ocean’s impact by shifting efforts inland to address the root causes of ocean plastic pollution before it reaches the water?
How might we expand 4Ocean’s impact by shifting efforts inland to address the root causes of ocean plastic pollution before it reaches the water?
How might we expand 4Ocean’s impact by shifting efforts inland to address the root causes of ocean plastic pollution before it reaches the water?
HOW MIGHT WE?
03
DESIGN
DESIGN
Designing Solutions to Maximize Impact and Rebuild Trust
03
DESIGN
Designing Solutions to Maximize Impact and Rebuild Trust
We simplified 4Ocean’s product ecosystem to strengthen brand identity, prioritize high-impact offerings, and drive revenue generation.
We simplified 4Ocean’s product ecosystem to strengthen brand identity, prioritize high-impact offerings, and drive revenue generation.
We simplified 4Ocean’s product ecosystem to strengthen brand identity, prioritize high-impact offerings, and drive revenue generation.
SIMPLIFY PRODUCT LINE
SIMPLIFY PRODUCT LINE
Our team began by simplifying 4Ocean's product ecosystem to reinforce brand identity and generate revenue.
Our team began by simplifying 4Ocean's product ecosystem to reinforce brand identity and generate revenue.
Shirts
Wristband
Water Bottles
Modular Bracelet Kit
Modular Bracelet Kit
Interchangeable beads, chords, and charms allow users to customize their own bracelet and reinforces it as a core element of the 4Ocean brand.
Interchangeable beads, chords, and charms allow users to customize their own bracelet and reinforces it as a core element of the 4Ocean brand.
We introduced closed-loop solutions designed to simultaneously reduce plastic pollution and create sustainable revenue streams.
We introduced closed-loop solutions designed to simultaneously reduce plastic pollution and create sustainable revenue streams.
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Our team selected Columbus, Ohio, as the target city for filter deployment due to its 35 inches of annual rainfall, D+ stormwater management rating, and politically moderate standing.
Our team selected Columbus, Ohio, as the target city for filter deployment due to its 35 inches of annual rainfall, D+ stormwater management rating, and politically moderate standing.
~ American Society of Civil Engineers
INTEGRATING WITH CITY INFRASTRUCTURE
INTEGRATING WITH CITY INFRASTRUCTURE
To ensure seamless implementation, we analyzed Columbus' city schematics, designing our filter to align with existing storm drain systems.
To ensure seamless implementation, we analyzed Columbus' city schematics, designing our filter to align with existing storm drain systems.
EARLY DEVELOPMENT
LET'S DIVE INTO STORM DRAINS!
LET'S DIVE INTO STORM DRAINS!
LET'S DIVE INTO STORM DRAINS!
Modular Design
Modular Design
The 4Ocean Storm Drain Filter features a fully modular design, ensuring easy installation and maintenance. Its multiple membrane filters allow water to flow even if one becomes clogged, ensuring consistent performance.
The 4Ocean Storm Drain Filter features a fully modular design, ensuring easy installation and maintenance. Its multiple membrane filters allow water to flow even if one becomes clogged, ensuring consistent performance.
SEAMLESS INTEGRATION
SEAMLESS INTEGRATION
Our filter was designed to fit into preexisting infrastructure seamlessly.
Our filter was designed to fit into preexisting infrastructure seamlessly.
WATER FLOW CONCERNS
WATER FLOW CONCERNS
During our expert interviews, we learned that maintaining unrestricted water flow is the top priority for our filter design.
During our expert interviews, we learned that maintaining unrestricted water flow is the top priority for our filter design.
Overflow Channel
Overflow Channel
To handle heavy water flow, the filter housing includes overflow channels, ensuring consistent water movement while protecting the infrastructure's integrity.
To handle heavy water flow, the filter housing includes overflow channels, ensuring consistent water movement while protecting the infrastructure's integrity.
HOW IT WORKS
HOW IT WORKS
Digital Management Platform
Digital Management Platform
4Ocean’s storm drain filter platform empowers communities to intercept plastic waste at the source, capturing debris and microplastics before they enter waterways.
4Ocean’s storm drain filter platform empowers communities to intercept plastic waste at the source, capturing debris and microplastics before they enter waterways.
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
Our real-time monitoring enhances waste management, streamlines maintenance, and reinforces a commitment to sustainability.
Our real-time monitoring enhances waste management, streamlines maintenance, and reinforces a commitment to sustainability.
PLATFORM OVERVIEW
PLATFORM OVERVIEW
Our real-time monitoring enhances waste management, streamlines maintenance, and reinforces a commitment to sustainability.
Our real-time monitoring enhances waste management, streamlines maintenance, and reinforces a commitment to sustainability.
We have streamlined purposeful partnerships to generate revenue, and rebuild trust with the consumer.
We have streamlined purposeful partnerships to generate revenue, and rebuild trust with the consumer.
Marketing Campaign
Guerilla Marketing brings the 4Ocean brand to the everyday consumer.
Meaningful Partnerships
Intentional partners restore brand reputation and increase brand awareness.
04
VALIDATION
VALIDATION
Measuring Success: Comparing Old vs. New Designs
04
VALIDATION
Measuring Success
05
REFLECTION
REFLECTION
Lessons Learned and Growth Through Collaborative Design
05
REFLECTION
Lessons Learned and Growth Through Collaborative Design
KEY LEARNINGS
KEY LEARNINGS
Asking the Right Questions
Research is only as valuable as the questions you ask. Early on, our team realized the complexity of storm drain systems, how they function, their deployment, and the municipalities responsible for their upkeep. With so many moving parts, it was easy to feel overwhelmed. To cut through the noise, we focused on asking the right questions, ensuring we identified the core needs and challenges that would shape our solution.
Asking the Right Questions
Research is only as valuable as the questions you ask. Early on, our team realized the complexity of storm drain systems, how they function, their deployment, and the municipalities responsible for their upkeep. With so many moving parts, it was easy to feel overwhelmed. To cut through the noise, we focused on asking the right questions, ensuring we identified the core needs and challenges that would shape our solution.
Asking the Right Questions
Research is only as valuable as the questions you ask. Early on, our team realized the complexity of storm drain systems, how they function, their deployment, and the municipalities responsible for their upkeep. With so many moving parts, it was easy to feel overwhelmed. To cut through the noise, we focused on asking the right questions, ensuring we identified the core needs and challenges that would shape our solution.
Team Alignment
Team Alignment
Team Alignment
There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Solution
There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Solution
There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Solution
Asking the Right Questions
Research is only as valuable as the questions you ask. Early on, our team realized the complexity of storm drain systems, how they function, their deployment, and the municipalities responsible for their upkeep. With so many moving parts, it was easy to feel overwhelmed. To cut through the noise, we focused on asking the right questions, ensuring we identified the core needs and challenges that would shape our solution.
Asking the Right Questions
Research is only as valuable as the questions you ask. Early on, our team realized the complexity of storm drain systems, how they function, their deployment, and the municipalities responsible for their upkeep. With so many moving parts, it was easy to feel overwhelmed. To cut through the noise, we focused on asking the right questions, ensuring we identified the core needs and challenges that would shape our solution.
There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Solution
There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Solution
Team Alignment
Team Alignment
KEY LEARNINGS
That's all folks!
Thanks for reading! If you'd like to learn more about this project, feel free to reach out.
EXPLORE MORE WORK
CURRENT BUSINESS MODEL
4Ocean's cleanup efforts are funded primarily in two ways: product sales and business partnerships.
Product Sales
4Ocean currently sells 269 products, 75 of which are variations of the 4Ocean bracelet, a core symbol of the brand which funds the removal of 5 pounds of ocean plastic.
Business Partnerships
In 2021, 4Ocean partnered with Barbie, whose manufacturer, Mattel, has been responsible for producing over 24 million pounds of plastic waste.
CONSUMER DISTRUST
Public skepticism surrounding 4Ocean’s transparency and impact has created barriers to trust. Addressing these concerns is essential for rebuilding credibility and fostering long-term consumer loyalty.
PHASED APPROACH
EXPLORE MORE WORK
EXPLORE MORE WORK