Usaaan: Revolutionizing Convenience with Umbrella Rental Platform

Qin Zhen and Feng Ligeng's Innovative Solution to Everyday Travel Needs

Usaaan is not just an umbrella rental platform; it is a response to the urbanization process and user requirements. The platform was inspired by market opportunities and the need for a solution to a common problem faced by city dwellers - the need for an umbrella on sunny days. The platform's unique properties lie in its innovative design, business model, and touchpoint design, all aimed at providing users with a better experience.

The technology behind Usaaan is a combination of internet technology, lock structure, use of processes, and mobile phone interface. This amalgamation of technologies has resulted in a new type of Internet product that is not only functional but also user-friendly. The umbrella rental machine manages multiple umbrellas through one lock, facilitating a seamless user experience.

Usaaan's design process was a collaborative effort, with Qin Zhen, Feng Ligeng, Luo Jiaming, and Mo Meiyin working together to bring the concept to life. The project was set up in December 2016 in Guangzhou and launched in June 2017 in Foshan. The second-generation product won the 2018 iF Design Award in the Service Design category, further cementing its status as a groundbreaking innovation.

Usaaan's design was not without its challenges. The team had to find a way to combine business and public welfare in a way that benefitted all stakeholders. However, through collaborative innovation methods and service design ideas, they were able to design a whole new service system. This system was designed from three aspects: product design, brand touchpoint design, and commercial design, using tools such as customer journey maps, stakeholder maps, service demand-supply graphs, and value frameworks.

Usaaan is more than just a convenience platform; it is a social initiative. In addition to providing convenience for people's outdoor travels, this umbrella rental service is designed to promote the positive social spirit of mutual assistance and mutual trust between citizens and between cities, strengthening citizens' sense of belonging in their cities. This innovative approach to solving a common problem has earned Usaaan the Golden A' Social Design Award in 2018, a testament to the team's creativity and ingenuity.