Ciaran Coulstock

MSC in User Experience and Service Design

Ciaran Coulstock

Student Profile

Driven by a passion for innovation and creating solutions that benefit humanity and the planet. My service design MSc research project focused on integrating digital receipts through loyalty programs into health apps, empowering consumers to make healthier choices by streamlining the e-receipt integration and analysis process.

Project Overview

This research project explores the integration of digital receipts with third-party applications, aiming to empower consumers by seamlessly connecting loyalty cards to health and wellness apps. By analysing purchase data automatically, the proposed solution can lead to valuable personalised health insights, enhancing dietary habits and promoting better nutritional choices. The project’s ultimate goal is to leverage data portability rights under GDPR to create a user-centric experience that puts control back into the hands of the consumer.

Background:

In an age where data is currency, consumers are increasingly aware of the value of the information they generate through everyday transactions. However, the current use of loyalty cards often benefits businesses more than the consumer, who typically receives only superficial rewards. With the implementation of GDPR, there is a renewed focus on data portability and the rights of individuals to control their information. This project builds on these developments, investigating how consumers can reclaim their data and use it to improve their health and well-being. By connecting digital receipts to third-party apps, users can gain actionable insights into their dietary habits, track nutritional intake, and make informed decisions to enhance their lifestyle.

Problem/Context:

Research identified that loyalty programs and digital receipts are underutilised, offering limited ways for consumers to derive meaningful value from their purchase data. This project addresses the gap by developing a theory for a seamless method for transferring purchase data to health-focused apps, enabling better dietary choices and health outcomes. Through workshops with design teams and industry professionals, the project refined a service blueprint that emphasises user-centred integration through loyalty card programmes, making data more actionable and accessible for consumers.

Solution:

The solution proposed is a digital integration between loyalty cards and third-party health applications, allowing users to automatically receive and analyse their grocery purchase data in real-time. By leveraging APIs, the platform securely transmits e-receipts directly to the user’s chosen app and leveraging GDPR data portability rights. This data can then be processed to deliver insights on nutritional content, spending habits and more. The approach was validated through iterative co-design workshops, refining a service blueprint that prioritises seamless integration and user experience, empowering consumers to make healthier, data-driven decisions and effectively manage their dietary habits.

Ciaran Coulstock:: Image/Video

Images


Course: ma ux and service

Year: 2024

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