Introduction

As an avid plant enthusiast, I noticed a gap in the market for a comprehensive, user-friendly app that could help plant owners diagnose and care for their plants. This led to the creation of "Habitat," a mobile app designed to assist users in identifying plant issues and providing actionable solutions to ensure their plants thrive. The goal was to simplify plant care for everyone, from beginners to seasoned gardeners, by offering a reliable tool that can diagnose plant problems with ease and accuracy.

Problem Statement

Many plant owners struggle to identify the specific issues their plants face, such as diseases, pests, or nutrient deficiencies. This often leads to improper care, which can worsen the plant's condition. The challenge was to create an app that could accurately diagnose plant problems based on user input and provide tailored advice to help them resolve these issues effectively.

User Research

To understand the needs and pain points of potential users, I conducted surveys and interviews with a diverse group of plant owners. The key findings included:

• Lack of Knowledge: Many users lacked the knowledge to identify and treat plant problems.

• Overwhelming Information: Users found it difficult to navigate through the vast amount of conflicting information available online.

• Desire for Simplicity: Users wanted a simple and intuitive app that could provide quick and accurate diagnoses.

These insights helped shape the core features and user experience of Habitat.

Design Process

Persona Development

• • Based on user research, I developed personas to represent the target audience. These included a beginner plant parent but a geek, an experienced plant owner, and a busy professional who loves plants but has limited time for care.

User Journey Maps

Wireframing and Prototyping

• • I began by sketching wireframes to visualize the app's layout and user flow. The focus was on creating an intuitive interface that required minimal effort from the user.

• • Low-fidelity prototypes were created using Figma, allowing for quick iterations based on feedback.

User Testing

1. • • I conducted usability tests with the prototypes, observing how users interacted with the app and where they encountered difficulties. Feedback was gathered and used to refine the design.

Key Features

1. Easy-to-Use Interface

   • The app’s interface was designed with simplicity in mind. Users can easily navigate through the app, starting with taking a photo of their plant or selecting from a list of symptoms.

2. AI-Powered Diagnosis

   • Habitat uses an AI engine to analyze images and user inputs, providing a diagnosis within seconds. The AI is trained on a vast database of plant diseases, pests, and deficiencies.

3. Personalized Care Tips

   • After diagnosing the problem, the app offers tailored care tips, including treatment options and preventive measures. The advice is easy to follow and designed to fit into the user’s daily routine.

4. Progress Tracking

   • Users can log their plant’s progress over time, keeping track of improvements or any recurring issues. This feature helps users learn from their experiences and become better plant caretakers.

5. Discover

   • Users can browse through the blog section and keep up with all the information there is, in the community.

Final Product

Future Plans

Looking ahead, I plan to expand Habitat's capabilities by integrating new features such as plant identification, seasonal care reminders, and integration with smart gardening devices. The goal is to make Habitat the ultimate companion for plant care, catering to all levels of plant enthusiasts.

Conclusion

Habitat has successfully addressed a common problem faced by plant owners by providing a reliable, user-friendly solution. Through a thoughtful design process, continuous user feedback, and expert collaboration, Habitat has become a valuable tool in the plant care community, empowering users to keep their plants healthy and thriving.