OVERVIEW
Introduction
Team & Purpose
Role
Tools
Timeline
Individual
Coursework
UX Researcher
UI/UX Designer
Figma
Miro
January 2023 -
April 2023
Goal
Solution
A mobile application creating an engaging, interactive experience that brings plants and their ecosystem to life, allowing users to observe and connect with the interactions between plants, insects, and their surroundings, while also offering a space to reflect and document their thoughts.
RESEARCH PROCESS
Inspiration
“The process of looking is the beauty”
These words from an excerpt from “How To Do Nothing” by Jenny Odell made me think about the poem Thing of Beauty by John Keats. The poem highlights that beauty truly lies in the eyes of the beholder, showing me how individual experiences shape what we find beautiful. It’s the act of observing something that transforms it, making each moment of appreciation deeply personal and unique.
Ecological Kin
The concept of "ecological kin" encourages us to view plants as more than just part of the environment - it represents a plant with which we can form a closer, more personal relationship, helping humans feel connected to and invested in their well-being. This concept fosters empathy and a deeper appreciation for the plant’s role within its ecosystem.
For this class project, we were tasked with choosing an ecological kin and designing a way for humans to connect more meaningfully with it, fostering a deeper sense of connection and understanding.
Chosen Ecological Kin - Texas Mt. Laurel
Scientifically named sophora secundiflora, this is an evergreen plant that has fragrant violet-blue flowers in terminal clusters. It usually grows at a slow pace, and as a plant that thrives in sunny weather, it blooms in spring. The leaves (or its foliage) are mostly green in colour with the main bark being brown.
As Texas provides the plant with sunny, warm weather, the plant thrives in the southern USA, including in certain parts of the UT Austin campus.
Texas Mt. Laurel on the UT Austin Campus, with bees around the flowers.
Max-Neef Needs
Max-Neef’s 9 Fundamental Human Needs framework focuses on universal aspects of human well-being beyond material wants. It emphasises emotional, social, and practical needs, offering a holistic approach to creating designs that improve lives and resonate deeply with users.
These cards provide a quick overview of the needs, with the larger cards highlighting the ones this project aims to address. Hover over each card to explore more details!
User Research - Qualitative Interviews
User research is quintessential when building any product - it helps us better understand the users' perspectives and allows us to efficiently target their pain points. Here are some selected quotes from the user interviews:
"I love walking in parks or forests, but I rarely stop to learn about the plants around me. Getting to know some stories or fun facts about the plants I encounter would make it more fun."
"I hike a lot, but I don’t pay much attention to the plants around me unless something really catches my eye. I’d like to learn more but don’t want it to feel like a boring textbook."
"I live in a city, so I don’t interact with nature much apart from seeing trees on the street or visiting a park. I like the idea of connecting with nature, but it’s not something I think about often."
After conducting numerous user interviews and analyzing the collected data, I distilled the findings into these key insights:
Interactive Exploration
Users want engaging, guided experiences to learn about plants, such as identifying species, understanding their behaviours, and exploring their significance.
Beginner Friendly
Many users, especially those in cities, are looking for simple ways to start exploring the plants in their surroundings, like trees in parks or flowers along the streets.
Connection to Environment
Users value understanding the broader environmental role of plants and want an app that helps them appreciate these connections in a meaningful way.
Design Process
Overview
Design an experience that helps users connect more closely with a plant, highlighting its often-overlooked interactions with its busy surroundings.
Final Design
Overview
Design an experience that helps users connect more closely with a plant, highlighting its often-overlooked interactions with its busy surroundings.
Looking Ahead
Overview
Design an experience that helps users connect more closely with a plant, highlighting its often-overlooked interactions with its busy surroundings.
reach me at
hmurugu@umd.edu