Plants With Friends
App Design
This concept project is a gamified plant care companion that educates users about different plant species and how to care for them in diverse environments. Through the interactive features, users embark on a journey to cultivate thriving virtual plants while acquiring valuable real-life plant care skills.
Audience: Fans of cozy and idle games with an interest in plant care; Young people with space or budget constraints who want to learn about gardening
Responsibilities: Visual design, eLearning development, visual design, prototype creation, presenting prototype walkthrough
Tools Used: Canva, Figma
The Problem
Learning how to properly care for plants can be quite a challenge – it takes time, effort, and sometimes some extra cash. Although some apps can remind users to water their plants, they aren't fun or engaging. On the other hand, mobile games where users care for virtual plants don't quite translate to real-life skills.
The Solution
I set out to create a unique game that bridges these two genres, aiming to educate users about diverse plant species and their care in various environments. This concept project demonstrates how gamification can make learning about plant care engaging and rewarding.
Process
In order to bring this project to life, I created a plan for the core features of the app, designed visual mockups, and developed a prototype. To showcase the project's potential, I created a presentation which you can watch here.
Visual Mockups: Hand-drawn Sketches - Canva - Figma
To kickstart the creative process, I began by crafting hand-drawn wireframes and sketches, capturing the initial essence of the app's design and functionality. I started to plan the initial user interface as well as some of the interactions in the app. I also planned how the app would provide feedback to users on the overall health of the plant, and what users could do to determine the plant's needs.
To establish a cohesive visual identity, I curated a mood board on Canva, carefully selecting colors and styles to convey the app's look and feel. I wanted the app to feel friendly and approachable, and chose the visuals to reflect this objective. The mood board includes examples of several plants, as well as icons for the temperature and plant health.
As the design iteration progressed, I recognized the importance of developing a plan to address potential player missteps in caring for a plant and the corresponding consequences. It became essential to outline a clear path for salvaging the plant if possible. To effectively guide players and impart valuable plant-related information, I envisioned the incorporation of a "plant fairy" as an interactive element within the game. This plant fairy would provide helpful information, and reverse damage to the plants after the player took the appropriate steps to rectify the situation. While it is not always possible to save a real-life plant from neglect, the plant fairy provides players with a second chance in the game world, as well as valuable feedback on their gardening skills. I also added a crystal ball icon in the prototype designed in Figma, which players could use to help diagnose problems their plant may be experiencing.
As the project progressed, I shifted my focus towards crafting medium-fidelity wireframes using Figma, a powerful design tool. With an eye for detail and a user-centric approach, I refined the user interface and overall experience. The medium-fidelity wireframes allowed me to strike the perfect balance between conceptual ideas and practical implementation, enabling stakeholders to envision the app's functionality and aesthetics more tangibly. This process allowed me to incorporate feedback and iterate on design choices, resulting in an enhanced user experience that aligns seamlessly with the project's objectives.
Interactive Prototype
Leveraging Figma's versatile platform, I converted the wireframes into an interactive and functional prototype using a combination of self-created and stock graphics. This enables stakeholders to immerse themselves in the app's flow, gaining firsthand experience of selecting their first plant. The prototype also shows what a user's garden might look like, and how they can view information about individual plants. In future versions, the plant information screens will allow the user to check the moisture level, growth, and whether the plant is getting the appropriate amount of light.
Refelection
Designing this app has been an enriching and rewarding experience for me as an instructional designer. Throughout the process, I learned to harness the power of Figma, a versatile design tool that proved instrumental in translating my creative vision into a functional prototype. The journey of mastering Figma was both challenging and gratifying, as I gradually familiarized myself with its interface, tools, and functionalities. As I created wireframes, sketched out ideas, and iterated on the designs, I grew more confident in my ability to craft an engaging user experience. Overall, this project has not only honed my design skills but also instilled in me a sense of accomplishment in delivering a concept that merges gamification with effective learning.