Nirvana, a startup company founded in 2021, is a furniture industry innovator that specifically serves the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) community. The company primarily offers modular "building" furniture that is affordable, efficient, and easy to move. Nirvana differentiates itself from competitors by offering a unique set of features such as easy assembly, efficient delivery, and a furniture recycling program.
SCAD students typically face problems related to the use of large, movable furniture due to the temporary nature of their stay and their recurrent need to move. This case study examines how Nirvana addresses these issues through its product design and business model.
We began with a comprehensive analysis of our target market – the SCAD community. We identified a gap in the market for affordable, portable, and eco-friendly furniture designed specifically for the needs of students. Our market research also showed a growing trend toward sustainability and easy-to-assemble furniture. This validated our idea and led us to develop our unique furniture solution.
We interviewed eight people who work and study in the SCAD community to gain deeper insight into the feelings and pain points of preparing and moving their larger pieces of furniture.
Difficulty in Moving Large Items: Many students find it challenging to get help when moving large items, especially if they lack a personal network of support.
Long Shipping Time: New international students often find themselves without furniture for extended periods due to long shipping times.
Transportation Limitations: The capacity of a standard car trunk is insufficient for transporting large pieces of furniture. As a result, many students have to resort to renting large trucks for moving, which adds to their expenses and logistical burdens.
Preference for Used Furniture: Many students, especially those on a tight budget, prefer buying used furniture. They are more likely to invest in second-hand pieces that are functional, economical, and sustainable.ve to resort to renting large trucks for moving, which adds to their expenses and logistical burdens.
Need for a One-stop Shop: Students appreciate the convenience of buying all necessary furniture in one place to save time and energy. For many, this is why they default to IKEA.
Frequent Moving: Many students move to different apartments each semester, emphasizing the need for easily movable furniture.
Nirvana offers a comprehensive, one-stop solution for furniture:
Movable Large Furniture: Designed for easy transportation, perfect for the needs of students who frequently relocate.
Easy Assembly: Our furniture is designed so that a single person can put it together without any difficulties.
Convenient Online Shopping Store: Shopping made easy with our user-friendly online store.
One-Day Delivery: We ensure that your furniture is delivered on the day of your move to minimize any inconvenience.
Furniture Recycling: To promote sustainability, we offer furniture recycling services.
With our specialized services, Nirvana addresses several problems often faced by students:
Easy Online Purchase: Our user-friendly online store simplifies the purchasing process.
Simple Assembly: We eliminate the stress of furniture assembly with our easy-to-build designs.
Timely Delivery: We ensure that you have your furniture on the day you move in with our one-day delivery.
Efficient Movement or Recycling: When you move, our products can be easily disassembled and moved or recycled, as per your needs.
After the flows were ready I made a basic prototype and asked users to perform a number of tasks. Then I could see where they were having difficulty and where I should improve the product based on real use.
During the test
After the test
Download the NIRVANA and login with SCAD email to explore the possibility of furniture combination.
The latest product information and SCAD students' sharing of their DIY combinations will be presented on the home page.
Giving users the ability to search and narrow by categories that matter to them, we provide the categories about furniture and accessories, giving SCAD students the freedom and imagination to design large pieces incorporating their own style.
We provide the service to rebirth the furniture bought from our company. When students need to move or graduate, they can return the furniture to us, and we will offer an incentive fee to thank you for protecting and cherishing our furniture; the incentive fee will depend on the condition of the furniture.
This is the whole user experience when using Nirvana App
