I worked to improve an interaction taking place in the context of the grocery store checkout lane. Seeking to create better visibility for customers who bring their own reuseable bags to the store, I innovated a solution that utilizes the existing wand that customers use to separate their orders. My updated wand prototype has a plastic flag sandwiched in the middle, which can be raised to signal to the cashier that reusable bags are present. The flag also has a grip that can double as a hook for the bags, if desired or applicable. The prototype aims to be minimally disruptive, open-ended so as to apply to many use cases, and also encourage behavior change.
My sister nicknamed this the “Grocery Brag Flag”, which I have to say is pretty apt. It’s a working title.