Before

I thought I'd challenge the idea that all sustainability news is bad new by categorising articles into different sections relating to moods of people coming to the site.

This doesn't fit with my new user personae so I'm going to make it less of a feature where people can sort whatever news they have come to the site for by their mood.

The goal of the site now is to encourage participation and guide people to discover, learn and connect with one-another.

It's going to be more about exploring what's out there, sharing peoples' own knowledge - because real-world, experienced knowledge is as important as academic, and connecting people with one another to work together or share ideas/get feedback - moral support

Concept rationale

One of Massey's main initiatives involves "developing applied, real world opportunities for sustainability-related teaching and research." A news website is the ideal place for people to come in contact with new knowledge and ideas. My concept is to facilitate a diverse and welcoming community of Massey students, staff and alumni who are interested in engaging with sustainability issues. Massey researchers know a lot about sustainability and publish news relating to these ventures on the Massey website but I'm not sure many people know about or seek this information out as a valuable learning tool. Massey also provides opportunities within university to incorporate sustainability into learning, but there doesn't seem to be much ongoing communication once people leave their courses. The courses enable a lot of in-depth exploration into certain areas but I think people would benefit from interacting with people from other disciplines within Massey - both to better understand their depth of knowledge but also to expand their achievement possibilities through different perspectives and approaches. There are student-based sustainability clubs which have connected through Massey and small pockets of people interested in sustainability, but it's often hard to find and learn and share with others who aren't in your immediate circle. I want to make a place where academic, research-led knowledge and real-world social experiences can co-exist and mingle in an organic, inspiring and fruitful way. 

Laura

Meet Laura. (Hi Laura!) Desktop site

studied at Massey 
runs an eco-friendly business out of Auckland
wants to network with Massey 
is thinking of a possible graduate internship opportunity 

transformation: FROM disconnected, hopeful TO connected, inspired, involved

TOUCHPOINTS

Massey website > Sustainacool homepage > connect > specific people or topic or sustainacool admin > sign in or sign up > email, chat, phone

Richard

Meet Richard. (Hi Richard!) Desktop site

eco-babe
loves sharing his knowledge about saving the planet
studies environmental science at Massey in Palmy
likes researching facts about climate change
wants to contribute his knowledge of sustainability
wants to expand his horizons and meet people from other disciplines who are interested in sustainability

transformation: FROM restless, uninspired TO inspired, connected, fulfilled

TOUCHPOINTS

sustainacool homepage > the good news > events/initiatives/topics - get involved/contribute > stay in touch > ask an opinion about a project that he's working on? 

Kate

Meet Kate. (Hi Kate!) Desktop site

2nd year student at Massey 
starting to catch onto idea of sustainability
wants to know more about sustainability 
wonders if/how her peers are getting involved in sustainability initiatives

transformation: FROM outsider, uninformed TO involved, knowledgable, connected

TOUCHPOINTS

googles "Massey" "sustainability" > Sustainacool comes up >  Sustainacool homepage > explore > flick through news, events - upcoming in Wellington > clicks on an event to find out more information > RSVP to keep up to date > sign up > make profile

EXPLORE TO CONNECT

Lark

Meet Lark. (Hi Lark!) Mobile site

Massey lecturer 
likes to keep up to date with what’s happening in the world
likes Twitter
cares about sustainability

transformation: FROM pessimistic, out of touch TO impressed, proud, hopeful, involved

TOUCHPOINTS

Twitter feed > Sustainacool article shared by Massey > Sustainacool homepage > browsing content looking for news about Massey's teaching/initiatives > follows Sustainacool on Twitter > shares website link on Twitter

Helena

Meet Helena. (Hi Helena!) Mobile site

4th year Massey Wellington student 
wants to make connections before leaving Massey
lost with her major project 
looking for inspiration

transformation: FROM drained, disconnected, uninspired TO reenergised and focussed and connected

TOUCHPOINTS

email account with link from friend > article within Sustainacool site > save article > contact author > sign up