For my thesis project, I wanted to design an intervention that disrupts online shopping by promoting reflection on personal consumption habits. Specifically, I wanted to explore how a front-facing Chrome extension can use humorous visual prompts to encourage young adults to reconsider their purchases.
The goal of this extension is to reduce overconsumption and associated environmental impacts by encouraging users to think about their shopping behavior.
How Cloud Guy works:
1- User downloads Cloud Guy extension (instructions below)
2- A clear version of Cloud Guy shows up on clothing shopping websites
3- As the user adds items to their cart, Cloud Guy gets progressively more noticeable, then uncomfortable, frustrated, and finally- angry
4- As Cloud Guy changes appearance, it also makes comments to try to get the user to reconsider what they are shopping for
5- As users remove items from their carts, Cloud Guy is less angry
2- A clear version of Cloud Guy shows up on clothing shopping websites
3- As the user adds items to their cart, Cloud Guy gets progressively more noticeable, then uncomfortable, frustrated, and finally- angry
4- As Cloud Guy changes appearance, it also makes comments to try to get the user to reconsider what they are shopping for
5- As users remove items from their carts, Cloud Guy is less angry
Cloud Guy is meant to be present and noticeable, but not disruptive. This is to ensure users keep the extension installed, and therefore are continuously thinking about their purchasing decision.
Cloud Guy phases
Instructions for Cloud Guy installation:
1- Open Chrome
2- Go to https://github.com/nalmbaid/CloudGuy_DiaryTest
3- Click the arrow on the right of the <> Code button
4- Click download ZIP
5- Unzip the file on your computer
6- Go to chrome://extensions
7- On the top right, click Developer mode
8- Click “Load Unpacked"
9- Select the Unzipped file from your computer
2- Go to https://github.com/nalmbaid/CloudGuy_DiaryTest
3- Click the arrow on the right of the <> Code button
4- Click download ZIP
5- Unzip the file on your computer
6- Go to chrome://extensions
7- On the top right, click Developer mode
8- Click “Load Unpacked"
9- Select the Unzipped file from your computer
You will know that the extension has been installed successfully once you go to a shopping website and add something to a cart.