Self-initiated venture · 2022–2026
puterParts
A small, self-started computer refurbishment and recycling venture. I designed the service model, booking journey, brand and website, and took it from idea to operating service before winding it up.
- Outcome
- Took the venture from idea to operating service and to partnership talks with Clean Up Australia.
- Role
- Founder; UX, service and brand designer
- Team
- Solo
- Timeline
- 2022–2026
- Methods
- Research with business owners and councils · service design · booking journey design · brand and website design
- Skills
The problem
Businesses wanted to dispose of old computers responsibly, but kept hitting the same barriers: they didn’t trust recyclers with sensitive drives, collection was slow or unclear to book, and they rarely learned where their equipment ended up.
The service
puterParts offered free collection for small and medium businesses in Sydney, with every step designed to be clear and verifiable:
- Book a free collection. A short, guided form for business pickups.
- Secure data erasure. Every drive wiped with certified software, with confirmation sent to the client.
- Reuse, recycle, donate. Working parts reused, the rest recycled, and 15% of profits committed to charity.
| Principle | What it meant |
|---|---|
| Simplicity | A clear booking process for busy office managers, with no unnecessary steps or jargon. |
| Security | All data erased before reuse or donation, with confirmation sent to clients. |
| Impact | Reuse extended the life of hardware, and every collection contributed to a social cause. |
Reflection
puterParts showed me how service design can make the responsible choice the easy one: remove friction, make each step verifiable, and people follow through. Diagnosing, repairing and refurbishing the hardware myself also gave me practical grounding in asset lifecycle and maintenance.