UX Designer | Researcher | Visual Designer

Reducing Microplastic Pollution in Wastewater

This project addresses an overlooked source of microplastic pollution: synthetic fibers shed during laundry. Despite its environmental impact, few consumers are aware that clothing choices contribute to the problem. I applied human-centered design methods to develop an Instagram-first campaign that raises awareness and delivers simple, actionable laundry tips.

View PDF Case Study

The
Challenge

Synthetic fibers released during home laundry pass through wastewater treatment and enter aquatic ecosystems. I identified a major awareness gap between the problem and consumer understanding — a key opportunity for design intervention.

Research &
Planning

I explored three possible interventions:

  • Physical laundry filters
  • Sustainable clothing programs
  • Educational awareness campaign

Given the constraints and audience reach, I chose to prototype a digital awareness campaign focused on Instagram. My design process included user interviews, message testing, and iterative storyboarding to ensure clarity and shareability.

Storyboard & Messaging

The original storyboard walked users through off-platform links — but feedback showed this added friction. I pivoted to a 5-slide Instagram carousel with a clear scrollable flow:

  • Problem intro
  • Microplastic impact visuals
  • Three simple laundry tips
  • Icons and explanations
  • Share prompt and hashtag challenge

This format improved clarity and user retention while keeping actions entirely on-platform.

Cost Breakdown (Prototype Budget)

  • Visual Design & Branding – $1,000
  • Social Asset Creation – $1,000
  • Ad Management – $1,000
  • Initial Ad Spend – $300
  • Software/Tools – $120
  • Copywriting – $500
  • Total Estimated Cost: $3,920

Final Deliverable

A fully designed Instagram-first prototype including:

  • Carousel post mockup
  • Reel concept for “3-Step” laundry tips
  • Hashtag prompt to encourage peer sharing
  • Companion infographic with microplastic data

The
Outcome