Gabriellearcarlock@gmail.com
MY ROLE
Interaction Design
Strategy
UX/UI Design
TOOLKIT
Canva
Figma
Illustrator
THE STRATEGY
THE STRATEGY
Consumers feel bad about their consumption habits.
Consumers feel bad about their
consumption habits.
Consumers feel bad about their consumption
habits.
There’s a significant problem in the beauty industry surrounding overconsumption, where consumers frequently purchase products they don’t use, leading to waste and regret. This behavior not only contributes to environmental harm but also leaves consumers feeling guilty and frustrated about their spending habits and product waste.
There’s a significant problem in the beauty industry surrounding overconsumption, where consumers frequently purchase products they don’t use, leading to waste and regret. This behavior not only contributes to environmental harm but also leaves consumers feeling guilty and frustrated about their spending habits and product waste.
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Ulta Beauty is the largest beauty retailer in the U.S.
Ulta Beauty is the largest beauty
retailer in the U.S.
Ulta Beauty is the largest beauty retailer in
the U.S.
There’s a significant problem in the beauty industry surrounding overconsumption, where consumers frequently purchase products they don’t use, leading to waste and regret. This behavior not only contributes to environmental harm but also leaves consumers feeling guilty and frustrated about their spending habits and product waste.
There’s a significant problem in the beauty industry surrounding overconsumption, where consumers frequently purchase products they don’t use, leading to waste and regret. This behavior not only contributes to environmental harm but also leaves consumers feeling guilty and frustrated about their spending habits and product waste.
Women ages 16–25: The typical Ulta customer is a woman between these ages.
Millennials and Gen Z: Ulta is a top beauty destination for these generations.
Younger Generations: Ulta's CEO says that younger generations are engaging with beauty in a fun way, and that beauty is not just about changing their appearance.
Men: Ulta's CEO say that more men, especially younger men, are passionate about beauty, including skincare, fragrance, and wellness.
Women ages 16–25: The typical Ulta customer is a woman between these ages.
Millennials and Gen Z: Ulta is a top beauty destination for these generations.
Younger Generations: Ulta's CEO says that younger generations are engaging with beauty in a fun way, and that beauty is not just about changing their appearance.
Men: Ulta's CEO say that more men, especially younger men, are passionate about beauty, including skincare, fragrance, and wellness.
A Solution That Helps Users Feel Better About Their Consumption Habits While Creating A Sustainable Ecosystem For Unwanted Products.
A Solution That Helps Users Feel Better About Their Consumption Habits While Creating A Sustainable Ecosystem For Unwanted Products.
A Solution That Helps Users Feel Better About Their Consumption Habits While Creating A Sustainable Ecosystem For Unwanted Products.
THE PROCESS
THE PROCESS
How does it work?
How does it work?
1. Customers bring in unwanted products
Scan products into kiosk
Review exchange
Choose reward
1. Customers bring in unwanted products
Scan products into kiosk
Review exchange
Choose reward
CUSTOMERS BRING IN UNWANTED PRODUCTS
CUSTOMERS BRING IN
UNWANTED PRODUCTS
CUSTOMERS BRING IN
UNWANTED PRODUCTS
It's estimated that 70% of beauty products go unused by consumers, often indicating regret or unmet expectations. In fact, 73.6% of people simply throw these products away, contributing to environmental waste.
By encouraging customers to bring in their unused products, we aim to reduce waste and promote a more sustainable approach to beauty consumption.
It's estimated that 70% of beauty products go unused by consumers, often indicating regret or unmet expectations. In fact, 73.6% of people simply throw these products away, contributing to environmental waste.
By encouraging customers to bring in their unused products, we aim to reduce waste and promote a more sustainable approach to beauty consumption.
SCAN PRODUCTS INTO KIOSK
SCAN PRODUCTS
INTO KIOSK
Upon initiating the process, a pop-up will inform users that they must be an Ulta Beauty Rewards member to proceed with the exchange.
Users can easily scan the barcode on each item. For products without barcodes, there’s an option to manually search by name, category, or brand—similar to how you would look up produce at a grocery store.
After entering each item, a prompt will appear asking the user to confirm if the correct product has been identified, ensuring the accurate value of the item is registered.
Upon initiating the process, a pop-up will inform users that they must be an Ulta Beauty Rewards member to proceed with the exchange.
Users can easily scan the barcode on each item. For products without barcodes, there’s an option to manually search by name, category, or brand—similar to how you would look up produce at a grocery store.
After entering each item, a prompt will appear asking the user to confirm if the correct product has been identified, ensuring the accurate value of the item is registered.
REVIEW EXCHANGE
REVIEW EXCHANGE
Users confirm the items they've entered into the system and verify that everything is correct. They’ll also see the number of points they’ll receive based on the value of their items.
Before proceeding, users must acknowledge the terms of the agreement by checking off a box to ensure that users are fully aware of the points they’re earning and the value of their returned products.
Users confirm the items they've entered into the system and verify that everything is correct. They’ll also see the number of points they’ll receive based on the value of their items.
Before proceeding, users must acknowledge the terms of the agreement by checking off a box to ensure that users are fully aware of the points they’re earning and the value of their returned products.
CHOOSE REWARDS
Users will be prompted to sign into their Ulta Beauty Rewards account, or given the option to sign up if they haven’t already.
Once logged in, users can choose between receiving points directly added to their account or opting for a coupon of equivalent value, which will be added to their digital wallet or sent via email. This paperless option encourages a seamless, eco-friendly experience.
After selecting their reward, users simply place their items into the reciprocal to finalize the exchange and complete the process.
REWARDS CAN BE USED SAME DAY
REWARDS CAN BE
USED SAME DAY
The unofficial last step completes the circular model of the exchange process. Once users have their rewards—either points or a coupon—they can immediately use them that day. This creates a loop where consumers are encouraged to make a purchase, potentially leading to more products they may exchange in the future.
The unofficial last step completes the circular model of the exchange process. Once users have their rewards—either points or a coupon—they can immediately use them that day. This creates a loop where consumers are encouraged to make a purchase, potentially leading to more products they may exchange in the future.
THE OUTCOME
THE OUTCOME
REFLECTIONS
REFLECTIONS
It's a win-win solution
It's a win-win solution
Customers get rewards for their old products, and Ulta Beauty supports sustainable consumption.
Customers get rewards for their old products, and Ulta Beauty supports sustainable consumption.
This project was guided by the goal of creating a sustainable, user-friendly solution for beauty product overconsumption. I learned to approach the problem from multiple perspectives—considering the user experience, the company’s goals, and the environmental impact of unused products. Personally, I was inspired by my own struggle with overconsumption and the lack of easy ways to recycle beauty products, which fueled my passion for finding a meaningful solution. What brought me the most joy was discovering how much this issue resonated with users—many shared their frustrations with wasted products, and seeing how positively they responded to a solution made the entire process rewarding.
This project was guided by the goal of creating a sustainable, user-friendly solution for beauty product overconsumption. I learned to approach the problem from multiple perspectives—considering the user experience, the company’s goals, and the environmental impact of unused products. Personally, I was inspired by my own struggle with overconsumption and the lack of easy ways to recycle beauty products, which fueled my passion for finding a meaningful solution. What brought me the most joy was discovering how much this issue resonated with users—many shared their frustrations with wasted products, and seeing how positively they responded to a solution made the entire process rewarding.
This project was guided by the goal of creating a sustainable, user-friendly solution for beauty product overconsumption. I learned to approach the problem from multiple perspectives—considering the user experience, the company’s goals, and the environmental impact of unused products. Personally, I was inspired by my own struggle with overconsumption and the lack of easy ways to recycle beauty products, which fueled my passion for finding a meaningful solution. What brought me the most joy was discovering how much this issue resonated with users. Many shared their frustrations with wasted products, and seeing how positively they responded to a solution made the entire process rewarding.
CHOOSE REWARDS
Users will be prompted to sign into their Ulta Beauty Rewards account, or given the option to sign up if they haven’t already.
Once logged in, users can choose between receiving points directly added to their account or opting for a coupon of equivalent value, which will be added to their digital wallet or sent via email. This paperless option encourages a seamless, eco-friendly experience.
After selecting their reward, users simply place their items into the reciprocal to finalize the exchange and complete the process.