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Dummy – The Community Kitchen

A service design proposal to reduce food waste and build social connections

Priya Sharma

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How can a service be designed to systematically redirect surplus food from local businesses to community members in a way that is dignified and fosters social interaction?

This project tackles the systemic issue of urban food waste through the lens of service and interaction design. Instead of just creating a digital tool, “The Community Kitchen” proposes a holistic service that integrates digital and physical touchpoints to create a reliable and welcoming system for food redistribution that benefits both local businesses and residents.

Process

The project involved extensive systems thinking and stakeholder mapping, identifying the needs and motivations of local cafes, bakeries, community centers, and residents. The research method was primarily ethnographic, involving observations and interviews. This research led to the creation of a detailed service blueprint that outlined every touchpoint and interaction. A small-scale, one-day pilot of the service was run to test the concept and gather feedback.

Artefact

The final artefact is a comprehensive service blueprint. This detailed diagram maps out the entire user journey for both food donors and recipients, detailing all front-stage (user-facing) and back-stage (operational) actions. The blueprint is supported by key mockups, including a prototype of a simple SMS-based notification system for participants, the visual identity for the service, and designs for the physical touchpoints, such as branded collection bins and informational posters.

Technology

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Program

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