Chimera Co-op

YEAR
DURATION
3 months
TOOLS
Adobe Xd, Premiere
2023
DURATION
3 months
TOOLS
Adobe Xd, Premiere
Procreate
Canva
Miro
The Challenge
My Role(s)
Business Designer
Through audience research, collaboration, and user testing, we developed the co-op business model and strategy for a CCA student store concept.
Producer
We collected student experiences to bring student stories to life.
Executive Summary
Goal
Create a student-run store to showcase and sell CCA's diverse, high-quality art, empowering students with real-world entrepreneurial experience.
Solution and Outcome
Designed and launched a student-operated pop-up store featuring custom CCA merchandise and student-made goods.
The pop-up generated $510 in sales over two weeks, resulting in $310 net profit after expenses. With projected annual net sales exceeding $10,000, the initiative demonstrated the viability of a student-led co-op model while fostering entrepreneurship and community engagement.
Target Users
CCA students, faculty, alumni, and visitors seeking unique, student-made goods and creative merchandise.
Key Learnings
- Developed an innovative value proposition using the Business Model Canvas.
- While the solution effectively addressed user needs, the business model had limited potential for profit and scalability.
- Successful business design requires aligning user insights with feasibility and viability to ensure long-term growth.Using the business model canvas to develop an innovative value
proposition.
Research and
Insights
- Students prefer a community-based, student-led organization
- Students prefer co-op employment to be independent of CCA
- Key partner should be Arch Art and Supply
- CCA Marketing and Communications Department granted permission for students to use the name “California College of the Arts” void of official CCA branding

Busines model ideation
User Testing
We recruited several student-artists and facilitated a focus group using storyboards to guide participants through the membership journey and cost structure.


Concept

Entice
Participants notice signage for Chimera Co-op.
Participants notice signage for Chimera Co-op.

Enter
Participants browse around and admire beautifully crafted and designed student work.
Participants browse around and admire beautifully crafted and designed student work.

Engage
Participant picks up a ceramic mug created by a CCA student.
Participant picks up a ceramic mug created by a CCA student.

Exit
Participant signs up for a membership and makes their first purchase at Chimera Co-op.
Participant signs up for a membership and makes their first purchase at Chimera Co-op.

Extend
Participant follows the CCA student artist so they can continue supporting their community.
Participant follows the CCA student artist so they can continue supporting their community.






