Shruberry

This app is designed to enable users to shop the plants and maintain their plant’s health with proper guidance and consultancy with the plant stores of the area for further assistance.

I have always been captivated by desk plants. However, every time I attempted to introduce them into my workspace, they would either wither away or shed copious amounts of leaves onto my desk. Despite my inclination to purchase more plants, I consistently struggled to nurture them properly. Consequently, I embarked on a mission to discuss this common issue with others. After engaging in conversations with numerous individuals, I realized that many shared the same struggle. Motivated by this discovery, I resolved to transform my experiences into a personal project.

Develop a mobile application that empowers users to effortlessly purchase plants while providing them with comprehensive guidance on plant care and maintenance.

Ensure that users have the ability to request consultation and seek assistance whenever they require additional support.

Enable users to conveniently track the maintenance of their plants on a daily basis.

To comprehensively explore the purchasing and care practices of individuals for their plants, I conducted in-depth research by interviewing 10 plant owners. The primary objective was to uncover the challenges they encounter and the strategies they employ to overcome them. This extensive investigation aimed to map out various scenarios and identify potential pain points that arise for people seeking to acquire and care for plants.

Gain insights into the pre-shopping habits and decision-making processes of users to better understand their preferences and choices.

Identify the challenges and difficulties associated with nurturing plants.

Explore the preferred strategies and methods employed by users to overcome the challenges they encounter while tending to their plants.

Due to the global pandemic, visiting nurseries and interacting with vendors in person became challenging. However, I managed to connect with numerous individuals who have gardening as one of their hobbies. The key insights gathered from these connections were as follows:

Increase in preference for Indoor plants: As a result of the pandemic, there is an increased desire among many individuals to acquire plants that are low-maintenance and can be placed in rooms for decorative purposes, providing a refreshing change of scenery.

Fruit-yielding plants need more care: Some individuals opt to hire professional gardeners to care for fruit-yielding plants as they feel less confident in their ability to provide the necessary care themselves.

Don’t know what to get: Numerous plant owners admitted to purchasing plants based on their appearance, only to discover later that they were unable to provide the ideal environment necessary for the plants to thrive in their homes.

Lack of knowledge: The unfortunate reality is that many plants perish due to owners lacking the knowledge and understanding required to properly maintain them.

In order to gather more information about existing products and services in the market that cater to the same purpose, I compiled a table highlighting the main services and their current availability.

To facilitate the user in accomplishing the aforementioned key tasks, I sketched and developed wireframes for the screens. A significant emphasis was placed on designing screens that efficiently present the required data while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

The primary challenge in creating the wireframes revolved around enabling users to upload images of plants and effectively displaying the detected information. Additionally, I aimed to add extra value to the app beyond simply purchasing plants and establish seamless integration between the buying functionality and the additional features provided by the app.

As a UX designer for the Shruberry app, I conducted various user testing methods to ensure the effectiveness and usability of the UI design. The user testing activities I performed included:

Task-Based Testing: I assigned users specific tasks related to buying plants, accessing care information, and consulting with experts. This helped me evaluate how easily they could complete these tasks, whether any confusion arose, and if any modifications were necessary.

Feedback Sessions: I held one-on-one feedback sessions with participants, allowing them to share their thoughts, opinions, and suggestions regarding the app's UI design. This qualitative feedback provided valuable insights into user preferences, pain points, and potential enhancements.

Prototype Testing: In the early stages of UI design, I created interactive prototypes and conducted testing sessions where users interacted with the prototypes. This helped identify design flaws, gather initial feedback, and make iterative improvements.

The user testing conducted on the Shruberry app yielded mixed results, providing valuable insights for further improvements. Here are the key findings:

Users successfully completed tasks related to buying plants, accessing care information, and consulting with experts. However, a small number of participants encountered issues during the checkout process, indicating a need for refining the purchasing functionality.

Participants appreciated the app's visual appeal and the comprehensive care information provided. However, some users expressed a desire for more personalized recommendations based on their specific location and preferences.

Early-stage prototype testing helped identify design flaws and gather initial feedback. Iterative improvements were made based on user suggestions, resulting in enhanced usability and overall user experience.

In conclusion, while the user testing highlighted areas of strength and positive user experiences, it also unveiled areas for refinement and enhancement. The mixed results will guide the iterative design process to ensure the Shruberry app meets user expectations and provides a seamless and delightful plant buying and care experience.