PlantAmigo App
A one-stop platform for all your plant needs
Overview
PlantAmigo is the go-to platform for plant care and gardening needs. Our responsive website allows users to diagnose plants, connect with a plant community, shop for plants and gardening essentials, and explore informative blogs. Features like "My Garden" offer personalized tips for nurturing plants.
Problem
Many plant parents face challenges in properly caring for their houseplants, from identifying issues like pests or diseases to finding reliable information on plant care and gardening. Without a centralized platform, they may struggle to connect with other plant enthusiasts or access resources to improve their plant parenting skills.
The Goal
The goal is to create a website that will help users easily diagnose and solve plant issues, connect with a supportive community, shop for essentials, and stay updated on the latest gardening trends.
My Role
As the sole creator of this project, my role encompasses Project manager, UX/UI designer, and Visual Designer.
Time Spent: 3 weeks
Target Audience
Plant enthusiasts of all experience levels, from novice indoor gardeners to seasoned outdoor landscapers, who seek comprehensive plant care solutions, community interaction, and access to a wide range of gardening products and resources.
Demographics
Age: 25-45 years old
Gender: All genders
Location: Urban and suburban areas
Income: Middle to upper-middle class
Occupation: Professionals, office workers, homemakers
Interests: Gardening, plant care, home decor
Technological Proficiency: Moderate to high, comfortable with using websites and mobile apps
Household Composition: Singles, couples, families with or without children
Research: Understanding the User
Summary
Our user research involved a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to gain insights into the needs and preferences of our target audience.
Initially, we made assumptions about the primary concerns of plant enthusiasts, focusing on issues such as plant care difficulties and access to reliable information.
However, after conducting interviews, and surveys, our assumptions evolved. We discovered that while these concerns were indeed prevalent, users also expressed a strong desire for an integrated platform offering a wide range of plant-related products, from seeds to equipment. Additionally, we uncovered the importance of fostering a supportive community where users could share their plant journeys and learn from others' experiences. These insights guided the development of PlantAmigo, ensuring it meets the diverse needs of our users.
Pain Points
Difficulty in diagnosing plant issues:
Identifying and resolving common problems like pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies is challenging, causing frustration and uncertainty.
Lack of access to reliable information:
Finding trustworthy resources on plant care techniques and troubleshooting tips is difficult, hindering successful plant nurturing.
Limited community support:
Users desire a supportive community for advice, tips, and sharing experiences, emphasizing the need for accessible platforms.
Inconvenience sourcing quality products:
Obtaining high-quality plants and gardening essentials at affordable prices and convenient locations is challenging, highlighting the importance of streamlined purchasing processes.
User Personas
Priya
Priya is a tech-savvy individual with a passion for indoor gardening who needs a comprehensive and accessible platform for diagnosing and addressing issues with her house plants because she encounters difficulties in identifying and resolving plant problems.
Rahul
Rahul is a passionate writer who has been living with a visual impairment since birth. Despite facing challenges, he leads an active and independent life, relying on assistive technologies and adaptive strategies to navigate his surroundings. Rahul has recently developed an interest in indoor gardening as a therapeutic hobby to relax and unwind after long hours of writing.
Defining the Problem Statement:
User Journey Map
Priya
Rahul
Competitors
Three Direct Competitors of PlantAmigo are:
LeafSnap
Planta
PlantSnap
Our USP
Comprehensive plant care solution with diagnostic tools, community interaction, and access to gardening products and resources.
Integration of advanced plant identification technology with personalized care recommendations and community engagement.
Emphasis on fostering a supportive and interactive plant community through informative blogs and updates.
Extensive selection of plants, gardening equipment, and essentials, with user-friendly features like "My Garden" for personalized plant management.
Information Architecture
Ideation: Starting the Design Process
Paper Wireframes
Based on the core features identified through user research, I created initial wireframes using pen and paper. Subsequently, I sketched paper wireframes for each website screen, ensuring to address user pain points throughout the design process.
Digital Wireframe
After creating several paper wireframes, I transitioned to digital wireframes.
My main goal was to include all the features and services on the homepage of the website to grab users' attention and encourage them to explore further.
Usability Testing
Usability study: Parameters
Study Type: Unmoderated Usability Study
Location: Mumbai, India, Remote
Participants: 5 participants, 3 Females, 2 Males between ages of 20-50
Duration: 20-30mins
Usability study: Insights
These were the main findings uncovered by the usability study:
Community Icon: Users were not able to understand the community icon and therefore couldn’t navigate to it
Services Carousel: Users weren’t able to understand the carousel and what services it provides
Components: There was no visual consistency throughout the website. The cards and carousels were all different shaped and no consistency was there
Iteration: Refining the Design
Design System
Final Product
Based on insights from the usability studies, I applied design changes such as changing the navigation bar by removing the icon and adding the title to the Plant Community page.
Before
After
Before
After
Screen Size Variations
Accessibility considerations
When choosing a color palette, I made sure my primary colors met WCAG AA Compliance before building out the UI for each screen.
I used headings with different-sized text for a clear visual hierarchy
I added an Audio function wherever necessary
Takeaways
Challenges:
Challenges I faced included conducting thorough research to inform design decisions, recruiting participants for usability studies, visualizing the website's unique layout compared to mobile apps, and establishing elements and visual identity without an existing brand identity. After iterating a few times I could push through the challenges and achieve the goal.
What I learned:
Throughout the project, valuable insights were gained by understanding the diverse needs of users, leading to iterative design improvements. The importance of clear communication and user-centric features emerged, highlighting the significance of continuous testing and adaptation to enhance overall usability.
Next Steps
Obtain UX/UI feedback from designers with more experience in the field to improve the overall design and functionality.
Identify any additional areas of need and ideate on new features
Create awareness about this app. Promote on Social media and gather feedback