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UX/UI Case Study
App Designed for Indoor Plants
Smart Grow
Welcome! My name is Stelina, I am an Industrial designer, this case study is for my Smart Grow partner, Enjoy:)
This case study documents my four-week project to develop an app that enhances interactions between users and their plants. What sets this app apart is its seamless integration with a uniquely designed planter that I personally envisioned.
App Hypothesis
If Generation Z individuals are provided with accessible and user-friendly resources to enhance their knowledge and skills in plant care, then their confidence and ability to maintain the health and vitality of their plants will increase. As a result, this improved proficiency is expected to positively influence their likelihood of acquiring more plants, fostering a deeper connection with nature and contributing to enhanced mental health and productivity.
01. Research
Plants Are New Pets & Pets Are The New Baby's
Approximately 70% of Generation Z members have been responsible for the demise of at least ten plants in their history.
66%
Of American households own at least one houseplant.
House plants have surged in popularity due to their ability to enhance interior aesthetics, creating a visually pleasing and calming atmosphere within homes. Beyond their decorative appeal, house plants contribute to improved mental health by reducing stress and anxiety. The presence of greenery has been linked to a sense of well-being, providing a connection to nature that promotes relaxation and positive mood, making them an increasingly sought-after element in home environments.
15%
Increase of improved productivity when you have houseplants.
There is a positive link between the inclusion of greenery in work and living spaces and heightened work performance. The mere presence of houseplants is thought to alleviate stress, elevate mood, and enhance air quality, collectively fostering a more favorable and enjoyable environment that supports heightened productivity.
67%
Of houseplant owners have killed at least seven indoor plants a year
Several factors contribute to this phenomenon, including insufficient knowledge of proper care practices, inconsistent watering routines, and inadequate light exposure. Additionally, the varying needs of different plant species and the busy lifestyles of individuals may further contribute to difficulties in sustaining healthy indoor plants, leading to a higher incidence of plant mortality. Providing education on plant care basics and choosing low-maintenance species could help address this issue and improve the success rate of indoor plant ownership.
01. Research
Differences between the planters
The Smart Grow is 60% more efficient than a regular planter.
Normal Planter
Requires numerous steps that deter beginners from cultivating houseplants. Here are the obstacles:
Smart Grow
Unwind while ensuring your plant thrives. Let the app notify you when your green companion needs help!
01. Choose the correct pot for your plant.
02. Make sure you put the right amount of soil.
03. Constantly providing an efficient amount of sunlight for growth.
04. Adding the perfect amount of water.
05. Constantly monitoring the plant.
06. Constantly learning from failure.
Let the app educate you more on your new pet. 04.
Let the app notify you when the plant needs something. 03.
Bluetooth connect the pot and scan the plant. 02.
Choose a small beginner plant. 01.
01. Research
Market research
Examining popular apps to determine what aspects appeal to users and what aspects do not.
Fitness App
The Fitness app emphasizes a clean and simple interface to ensure users can easily navigate and understand the features.
Consistent design elements and patterns create a seamless user experience. Users are likely to find familiar features and layouts throughout the Apple Fitness app.
To encourage user engagement, the Fitness app incorporates a gamification element.
Important information and actions are likely prioritized using visual hierarchy principles, guiding users to focus on essential elements.
Simplicity and Minimalism
Consistency
Gamification Elements
Visual Hierarchy
Brainly App
Brainly requires no elaborate instructions. Upon launching the app, it prompts you to scan the problem you need assistance with and swiftly provides the answer.
As Brainly is a collaborative learning platform, effective collaboration features, such as asking questions, providing answers, and engaging in discussions, are essential.
Implement straightforward and intuitive navigation to enable users to quickly find and access the features they need.
Provide clear feedback for user actions, helping them understand the results of their interactions. easy.
User-Friendly
Collaboration Features
Intuitive Navigation
Feedback Mechanisms
Gentler Streak App
Ensures that the primary actions, such as starting or tracking a streak, are prominently displayed and easy to find.
Implements features that allow users to easily track and visualize their progress over time, promoting a sense of accomplishment.
Maintain consistency in design elements, color schemes, and typography for a cohesive and recognizable brand identity.
Include a notification system to remind users of their habits or streaks, encouraging consistent engagement with the app.
Clear Call-to-Action
Progress Tracking
Consistent Design Language
Notification System
02. Survey
67 Participants Took This Survey
I aimed to delve deeper into people's challenges with their houseplants and understand the areas where they require assistance. (Here are some)
01. Do you have any plants? If so how many?
None
36.4%
1 - 2
9.1%
3 - 4
28.8%
4+
25.8%
02. What are your primary frustrations with plant ownership?
33.3%
Sunlight
37.9%
Underwatering
19.7%
60.6%
Frustration
25.8%
Limited space
31.8%
Time
Overwatering
03. Have these frustrations caused your plant's death?
No
75.4%
Yes
24.6%
04. Which features would you like to see?
71.9%
Hydration
76.6%
51.6%
Education
65.6%
Reminders
68.8%
Nutrients
55.6%
New Growth
Light Exposure
03. Task Flow
Task flow after survey
After gaining a better understanding of people's preferences, I began developing a task flow to determine effective strategies.
User adds a new plant to their profile.
User scans the plant to get the right one!
01. Adding a Plant
User connects the smart planter to the app.
Follows a simple pairing process to link the planter to their plant profile.
02. Connecting the Planter
05. Receiving Plant Insights
The app analyzes the plant's current state using data from the planter.
User receives insights on sunlight exposure, soil moisture, and suggested care routines.
User receives push notifications when the plant needs more water.
04. Getting Notifications
07. Community Interaction
User explores the community section to connect with other plant owners.
Can post questions, share experiences, and seek advice from the community.
03. Plant Care Calendar
User accesses a calendar that shows their plant's past and upcoming care activities.
Receives reminders for scheduled care tasks.
User accesses a calendar that shows their plant's past and upcoming care activities.
Receives reminders for scheduled care tasks.
06. Plant Care Calendar
04. Ideation
Development From Low to High Fidelity
Here, you can observe the evolution of the app's development, progressing from low-fidelity to high-fidelity design.
I began by testing where elements could be placed and how the pages would flow.
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Next, I created two different flows to test with users. These flows were designed to evaluate user interaction and gather feedback on usability and functionality.
Low-Fidelity Wireframes
Mid-Fidelity Wireframes
Results
A.
B.
Mid-Fidelity Wireframes
User 01
Flow Preference: A
Feedback: Perceived UX Flow A as having more intuitive and smoother navigation. In the case of Flow B, I encountered difficulty realizing that the "Water Info" feature was interactive, as it did not resemble a button in appearance.
Feedback: They appreciated the simplicity of UX Flow A, finding it less overwhelming and more straightforward. However, they did not like the vertical icon used for the overall wellness in UX Flow B.
Flow Preference: A
User 02
Feedback: Overall, they favored UX Flow B, and appreciated the unique design of certain buttons that mirrored the motion of the information. they found the flow of both to be user-friendly.
Flow Preference: B
User 03
User 04
Flow Preference: A
Feedback: They preferred UX Flow A, as it was straightforward and user-friendly. They also found it easy to use and suggested the possibility of condensing more information on the home page.
Brand Style
Beginning to develop a brand style, ensuring a consistent and modern aesthetic for the app.
High-Fidelity
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