START-UP * APP DESIGN * TEAM PROJECT * PRODUCT DESIGNER * FIGMA
Clobbler
: Online Clothing Repair & Upcycling Platform
당장 당신의 옷장을 보세요.
OVERVIEW
WHAT I DID
UX/UI Design
Service Design
TIMELINE
Sep 2022 ~ Sep 2023
TEAM
Sodam Park
Jeongin Lee
Chaewon Jang
Ryugwang(Josh) Jang
TOOLS
Figma
Photoshop
Miro
BACKGROUND
Look at this photo.
Doesn’t it look familiar?
As I stared blankly at my closet, I suddenly wondered—where do all these clothes eventually go? The answer was shocking. Textile waste has a significant environmental impact. It is a global issue, contributing to 20% of greenhouse gas emissions. Despite this, clothing recycling remains low, with South Korea’s rate at just 1%. Fast fashion is only making the problem worse.
Discarded textile waste is pilling up like this in distant countries
So, how can we stop this issue? Various solutions are being explored, including:
Clothing Repair & Upcycling : Extending the lifespan of garments through repairs and creative redesigns.
Second-Hand & Rental Services : Platforms that encourage people to buy pre-owned clothes or rent instead of purchasing new ones.
Sustainable Material Innovation : Developing biodegradable fabrics and eco-friendly alternatives to synthetic textiles.
Recycling Programs & Circular Fashion : Brands introducing take-back programs where old clothes are collected and repurposed.
Among these, what can we do on an individual level? One solution is to recycle and reuse clothing. However, the reality is that only 1% of clothes in South Korea are actually recycled and worn again. Why is this the case?
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Why don’t people recycle clothing despite this situation?
To answer this question, we asked why people don't recycle clothing. We surveyed around 300+ fashion-conscious individuals, and the results pointed to four major reasons. What surprised us the most was the lack of accessibility. Many people had attempted to get their clothes repaired, but found that information about tailoring services was limited online. The process was also inconvenient, often requiring knowledge of specialized terms or a trip to a tailor shop to drop off their clothes.
KEY SOLUTION
How might we make clothing recycling and repairs more accessible, trustworthy, and convenient that simply buying new clothes?
Image…
This led us to develop a platform specialized in clothing repair and alterations. We believed that by enhancing accessibility and streamlining the service process, we could create an environment where more people engage in clothing recycling. Through this, we aim to foster a culture of sustainable fashion and make a positive impact on the environmental issues caused by textile waste.
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
What We Achieved
🏆 2022 IHEI Show-off Festa (Issued by Institute for Higher Education Innovation Yonsei University) Got Excellence Award - Clobbler, Clothing mending platform
🏆 2022 Starbucks Startup Challenge (Issued by Starbucks Korea)
Got Innovation Award - Clobbler, Clothing mending platform
📄 Method of Brokering Repair and Reform Shops for Fashion Items Based on Mediation of Coordinator (Application KR No. 10-2022-0178330)
지역 축제에 참여하여 의류 재활용 제품을 파는 부스를 운영했습니다. 의류 폐기물로 인한 환경오염을 알려 인식을 주도록 하였습니다.
CHALLENGES & LEARNINGS
What challenges did we face and What did we learn?
Illuste
Tailors’ Age & Digital Literacy
Most clothing repair professionals were 60 years or older, making digital communication and adaptation difficult.
Illuste
The cost of repairing clothes is almost the same as buying new ones.
Due to the rise of fast fashion, many consumers feel that buying a new item is just as cheap (or even cheaper) than getting clothes repaired. This makes them hesitate to use tailoring services, even when they prefer sustainable options.
Illuste
It wasn’t just about designing an app, but the entire service ecosystem.
Initially, we focused on building a digital platform, but we soon realized that a successful tailoring service requires a seamless end-to-end experience—from customer inquiries to order fulfillment and tailor engagement.
Final Design
More accessible, trustworthy, and convenient App Design
A before vs. after journey map comparing traditional repair methods vs. Clobbler.
USER RESEARCH
Who are our users, and what do they need?
We Survey of 300+ Users.
Our goals are tried to find out answers from these questions :
• How do users perceive online clothing repair services?
• What prevents users from repairing clothes instead of buying new ones?
• How do users prefer to communicate tailoring requests?
• What influences their choice of a tailor?
• Would they use a digital repair service if it solved key barriers?
Key Findings
• 68 % of users found the repair process too complicated.
• 55 % of users were concerned about trust & service quality.
• 41 % of users wanted better communication with tailors.
We interviewed 12 customers and 10 tailors.
Findings from Customers
Difficulty in communicating preferences (tailors tried to understand requests using technical terms, but customers often couldn’t understand them)
Unstable waiting times (varied depending on the workload)
Uncertainty about quality vs. price.
“
I spent over an hour just looking for a reliable tailor online, but I couldn’t find reviews anywhere. I wasn’t sure if I could trust them.
”
“
I dropped off my clothes, but I had no idea when they would be ready. The tailor just said ‘come back next week.
”
“
Even after the repair was done, it wasn’t exactly what I wanted. But since I already paid, I couldn’t ask them to fix it again.
”
Customers want a more transparent & streamlined process with better customer-tailor interaction.
Findings from Tailors
Challenges in digital adaptation → Many tailors are unfamiliar with online service platforms.
Marketing struggle → Tailors have difficulty attracting customers and showcasing their expertise.
“
I get so many calls asking about pricing, but every repair is different. I can’t give an exact quote without seeing the clothes first.
”
“
Customers often explain what they want, but sometimes I misunderstand their instructions. Then they complain later.
”
“
I know I should promote my shop online, but I don’t know how to use digital platforms to reach customers.
”
Customers were going through the following process, and many of these challenges were inevitably caused by the limitations tailors faced.
We built user personas based on insights from surveys and interviews
MARKET POSITIONING
Competitive Analysis
Has there been no effort so far? Who are the current competitors in this industry? Where does Clobbler stand within this market?
이걸 알아보기 위해 We analyzed existing clothing repair services based on:
1️⃣ Simplicity of service process (how easy it is to use)
2️⃣ UI/UX usability (how intuitive the platform is)
🔹 Visuals:
• Competitor matrix (2x2) → Positioning Clobbler in the market compared to traditional tailor shops & online services.
• Screenshots of competitors’ platforms vs. Clobbler’s improved UX.
LATEST DESIGN
Problem Definition (Defining Pain Points & Opportunities)
Customer Problems
Complicated Process → Time-consuming & unclear repair workflow.
직접 찾아가고 찾아와야하는 번거로움
Lack of Trust → Customers unsure about service quality & pricing transparency.
Lack of Information -> Cause of digital unfamiliarity of tailors
Tailor Problems
1. Difficult Digital Transition → Struggle with adopting online communication & marketing.
2. Marketing Challenge → Lack of exposure to new customers.
🔹 Visuals:
• Side-by-side comparison of user challenges & Clobbler’s solutions.
• Pain point mapping diagram for both customers & tailors.
양 측의 문제를 종합하여 다음과 같이 정리될 수 있었습니다,
SERVICE DESIGN
Designing the Clobbler Experience
With Clobbler’s solution, the user experience flows as follows:
Explore Verified Tailors → Users browse verified tailor information, including location, business hours, expertise, reviews, and pricing.
Book a Service → Based on location or specific tailoring needs, users select a tailor and schedule a service.
Schedule Pickup → At the same time, users set a preferred date and time for home pickup.
Track Progress → Once picked up, users can track their clothing repair status in real-time—just like a delivery service.
Receive at Home → When the repair is complete, the item is delivered straight to the customer’s doorstep.
Key User Benefits
✔ Simplified Request Flow → Users can select services, upload photos, and get tailor recommendations effortlessly.
✔ Enhanced Communication → Integrated chat & visual markup tools allow users to clearly specify repair details.
✔ Tailor Profiles & Reviews → Customers can view tailor portfolios, ratings, and past work before making a decision.
Visuals:
• Wireframes & UX flowcharts (How a customer places a request, how a tailor responds).
가게 정보 안에 위치, 업무 시간, 전문가 정보, 리뷰, 가격 볼 수 있는 gif
예약하기 위해 상담하는 gif
픽업 관련 처리하는 gif
관련 track하는 gif
• UI mockups of the final platform design.
LATEST DESIGN
Prototyping & Testing (User Feedback & Iteration Section)
User Testing Insights:
• Customers found the new request & communication process 𝟮𝟱% faster than before.
• Tailors reported a 𝟰𝟬% increase in customer inquiries after the platform launch.
Feedback
그러나 소통 면에서 여전히 어려움을 겪었고, 특히 전문가 분들이 힘들어 했다. 이에 패션 관련 학생, 종사자 분들에게 인사이트를 얻어 중계 방식을 도입하였다(이는 특허 출원으로 이어졌다!)
의류 수선 리폼 관련 지식이 있는 "코디네이터"가 고객과 비대면 상담 등을 진행하여 고객의 니즈를 정확히 파악하여 이를 전문가 분들에게 보다 쉽고 전문적인 방식으로 전달하여 의사소통의 비효율성을 감소시켰다.
Key Iterations:
• Added progress tracking so customers could see updates on their order.
• Improved visual instructions for tailors to avoid miscommunication.
🔹 Visuals:
• Before & after comparisons of major UX/UI improvements.
• Screenshots of actual customer-tailer conversations.
LATEST DESIGN
Conclusion & Impact (Final Outcomes & Future Direction)
Project Outcomes
• Increased repair service accessibility & trust for customers.
• Helped tailors adapt to digital services, boosting their business.
• Contributed to a more sustainable clothing economy.
Future Improvements
• AI-powered tailoring suggestions based on user-uploaded images.
• Virtual tailoring consultations via AR fitting technology.
🔹 Visuals:
• Future concept sketches/mockups for expanding the platform.
• Final showcase video demonstrating Clobbler’s impact.
