Solis App

UX Case Study
Project Overview
This UX case study focuses on the design and development of a mobile application aimed at assisting users in selecting, saving, and visualizing plants that are suitable for their yard. The app's primary goal is to provide a seamless user experience for both plant enthusiasts, casual gardeners, and beginners, enabling them to plan and create personalized outdoor spaces with ease.
Details
Duration: 4 weeks
My Role: UX Designer
My team: Gavin Newell, Indi Foslien, Margaret Swanson
Tools Used: Miro, Otter, Google (Drive, Docs, Forms), Figma, Zoom, Slack
The Problem
Many individuals struggle with keeping plants alive and are often unsure of the reason their plant wasn't successful. selecting the right plants for their yards due to factors such as climate, soil type, and sunlight availability. Additionally, envisioning how these plants will look in their own space can be challenging.
The Solution
A plants success starts from the beginning, from soil pH, light, and hardiness zone, a user needs to select the right plant according to their conditions. Solis is an app that will use a users space and environmental conditions to suggest plants for them, help them visualize how it looks in their space, and provide notifications on proper care so their plants will thrive. This app aims to bridge these gaps and provide a solution for efficient plant selection and visualization.
Our Process
Research
Our research team began by conducting 5 interviews to better understand comfort levels around plant selection for indoor and outdoor spaces, and level of knowledge around proper plant care. We also created a survey with 16 questions to gather additional data around gardening and plant care experience.
Definition
Our team observed that many amateur gardeners are often frustrated and unsure why a plant failed in their care. They becoming overwhelmed with information online and are unsure where to go for support. We believe that offering information and guidance through all stages of creating a garden will help people succeed in their gardening goals.
Ideation
Our team began by brainstorming potential app features that would be most impactful for users. Then we built out user flows that guides them through creating a garden plan, browsing for plants, and visualizing the plant in their space.

User Flow - Create a garden plan

User Flow - Save shrub to a garden plan

Mid-Fidelity Wireframes

Prototype
Through a user-centered design approach, this plant app aims to empower users with the tools they need to make informed plant selections and visualize their yard transformations. By addressing the challenges of plant selection and visualization, the app strives to foster a more enjoyable and successful gardening experience for users of all expertise levels.
Test the Prototype
Lessons Learned
The revisiting of this UX case study provided invaluable insights into the limitations of our teams initial solution. Initially our team focused on the augmented reality (AR) feature which seemed promising, however it became evident that addressing plant selection and visualization alone wasn't sufficient. Users encountered frustration when their plants didn't thrive, highlighting the need for more robust guidance when selecting plants. This underscored the importance of a holistic approach that not only helps users design their yard but also supports them throughout the plant lifecycle.
Next Steps
Based on the feedback and lessons learned, the next steps for the app involve enhancing user support and expanding its offerings. Incorporating a notification system to remind users about watering, fertilizing, and pruning schedules can significantly improve plant care outcomes. Furthermore, integrating a feature to order plants from local nurseries directly through the app could streamline the process of obtaining recommended plants, ensuring they are well-suited to the local environment. By focusing on providing comprehensive care support and seamless plant procurement, the app can better fulfill users' needs and aspirations in cultivating their outdoor spaces.
© Copyright Samantha Delvo 2023