Project Overview
The Problem
Purchasing plants is a personal task because they are pets for some users. Users therefore want an app where carefully curated plants can be viewed and purchased for delivery to door steps.
The Goal
To design an app using the design process of (empathy, define, ideate, create a prototype and test) that aesthetically displays carefully curated plants for users to purchase, and for users to curate their own plants for purchase.
The Product
Zizzy Plants is a mobile application that aesthetically displays carefully curated plants for users to purchase.The app also includes a section to allow users curate their own plants for purchase.
My Role and Responsibilities
I am a UX researcher and designer, tasked with designing the app that gives users the ability to select carefully curated plants for purchase, and that allows users curate plants of their own. I am in the process of conducting researches, interviews, and usability studies to bring the prototype to live. I have created paper and digital wireframes, low and high fidelity prototypes. After completion of research, a new iteration will proceed to the testing stage.
Project Duration
The duration of this project will be from February 2022 to April 2022.
Understanding the User
From initial interviews before the iteration of the first prototype, I discovered user pain points which are summarised into these points:
1. Personality: Users want an app that can appeal to their personal taste of choosing what they want, rather than what is available.
2. Accessibility: This results from users wanting an app that has legible texts and is easy to use, with a search function for quick views.
Low Fidelity Mockup
High Fidelity Mockup
Usability Studies
The usability study conducted for this app was done with an unmoderated method. It included 5 participants. The duration was for 7 minutes each. This gave room for transformation from low to high fidelity prototype.
Additional usability studies will be carried out as iteration of the prototype evolves.
Impact
So far, the high fidelity mockup has proven to be eye catching with functionalities that will personally appeal to plant lovers.
One of the quotes from peer feedback is:
”It will be amazing to see this come to life where I can curate how I want my plant to be and have it delivered to me”
What I Learned
There will be a lot to learn in the process of this application however for now, I have learnt that personally appeal is a user need that could sometimes be overlooked. With few interviews so far, it’s great to work on this.
Accessibility Considerations
1. High contrast design to aid users with visual impairment.
2. High quality images with alt texts to show and describe images of plants.
Next Step?
Iterate further on the app after more usability studies to make it an equitable and user centred mobile application. This will also lead to an accompanying responsive website, and an iPad/tablet iteration.