Plantbud
Mobile App Design
Role
Product & Brand Designer
Year
2017
Industry
Gardening
About Plantbud
Plantbud is an app designed as part of my undergraduate thesis to help users maintain healthy indoor plants by providing regular reminders to water and care for them. Users can create profiles for each plant, inputting names and species to determine optimal watering schedules and tailored care recommendations.
The app encourages people to build sustainable, healthy habits for plant care, supporting thriving indoor greenery.
Stage 1. Discovery
The project began with a market research phase to understand the landscape of plant care apps, identify competitors, and identify gaps in the market. This phase included:
• Competitive analysis: Examined similar plant care products to understand their strengths and weaknesses.
• Exploratory research: Surveys with potential users helped uncover common challenges, user needs, and preferences related to indoor plant maintenance.
These findings not only helped provide insight into users' plant care struggles, but also informed the value proposition for Plantbud, prioritizing unique features like personalized watering schedules, plant-specific care tips, and habit-building reminders for consistent plant care.
About Plantbud
Plantbud is an app designed as part of my undergraduate thesis to help users maintain healthy indoor plants by providing regular reminders to water and care for them. Users can create profiles for each plant, inputting names and species to determine optimal watering schedules and tailored care recommendations.
The app encourages people to build sustainable, healthy habits for plant care, supporting thriving indoor greenery.
Stage 1. Discovery
The project began with a market research phase to understand the landscape of plant care apps, identify competitors, and identify gaps in the market. This phase included:
• Competitive analysis: Examined similar plant care products to understand their strengths and weaknesses.
• Exploratory research: Surveys with potential users helped uncover common challenges, user needs, and preferences related to indoor plant maintenance.
These findings not only helped provide insight into users' plant care struggles, but also informed the value proposition for Plantbud, prioritizing unique features like personalized watering schedules, plant-specific care tips, and habit-building reminders for consistent plant care.
Stage 2. Ideation
Developed user personas representing the target users and mapped scenarios to guide the design process, ensuring that the design addressed real user needs.
Then, user flows were created to outline key interactions, such as setting up a plant profile, scheduling reminders, and viewing plant care tips. It was emphasized simplicity and intuitiveness in the navigation to enhance engagement and usability.
Insights
The research revealed that people are spending more time indoors and see plants as companions, bringing a touch of nature into their spaces.
However, balancing plant care with daily routines can be challenging, especially given that different plant species require different care levels. Users expressed a need for consistent reminders and guidance to maintain their plants' health and vitality.
Stage 3. Concept Development
In this phase, the app's core features were conceptualized and structure based on our research insights. With a user-centered approach, focusing on addressing user pain points through accessible and engaging design.
Value proposition
Stage 2. Ideation
Developed user personas representing the target users and mapped scenarios to guide the design process, ensuring that the design addressed real user needs.
Then, user flows were created to outline key interactions, such as setting up a plant profile, scheduling reminders, and viewing plant care tips. It was emphasized simplicity and intuitiveness in the navigation to enhance engagement and usability.
Insights
The research revealed that people are spending more time indoors and see plants as companions, bringing a touch of nature into their spaces.
However, balancing plant care with daily routines can be challenging, especially given that different plant species require different care levels. Users expressed a need for consistent reminders and guidance to maintain their plants' health and vitality.
Stage 3. Concept Development
In this phase, the app's core features were conceptualized and structure based on our research insights. With a user-centered approach, focusing on addressing user pain points through accessible and engaging design.
Value proposition
Brand & UI Design
With a clear concept in place, I moved on to the brand and interface design phase to bring Plantbud to life.
Color scheme & typography
A warm, greenish, nature-inspired color palette and inviting typography were chosen to reflect the nurturing and calming purpose.
Reflections
Working on Plantbud was an opportunity to blend functionality with a mission to support users in a daily wellness habit. By centering the design around users’ needs for convenience and personalization, Plantbud aims to make plant care easy, even for those with busy schedules.
This project highlighted the value of user-centered design in creating a product that not only meets practical needs but also fosters positive habits and satisfaction.
Brand & UI Design
With a clear concept in place, I moved on to the brand and interface design phase to bring Plantbud to life.
Color scheme & typography
A warm, greenish, nature-inspired color palette and inviting typography were chosen to reflect the nurturing and calming purpose.
Reflections
Working on Plantbud was an opportunity to blend functionality with a mission to support users in a daily wellness habit. By centering the design around users’ needs for convenience and personalization, Plantbud aims to make plant care easy, even for those with busy schedules.
This project highlighted the value of user-centered design in creating a product that not only meets practical needs but also fosters positive habits and satisfaction.
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