Seedz

AI-powered app that connects students and faculty with nature through personalized garden interactions.

Many students lack accessible, engaging ways to reconnect with nature and support their mental well-being in busy campus environments.

“To bring the calm of nature to every student’s day.”

Project Type

UX Case Study

Duration

Augest 2024 -

December 2024

Role

UI/UX Designer

Motion Designer

Tools

Figma

Adobe Illustrator

Adobe Effect

Overview

Final Solution

Research

Design

Evaluation

Branding

Promo Video

Reflection

Overview

Final Solution

Research

Background Problem

Seedz is an AI-powered app that connects students and faculty with nature through personalized garden interactions, promoting well-being and mindfulness.

OVERVIEW

STRENGTHS

WEAKNESSES

INSTRUCTION

EDUCATION

REWARDS

PERSONALIZATION

AR/VR CAMERA

CONNECTION

Automated indoor plant growth system

Minimal effort, user-friendly

Limited to small indoor environments

Virtual interactive campus green space

Real-time adaptation, sustainability focus

None identified yet (potential development)

Encourages documentation of plant species

Strong community, AI species identification

Limited physical interaction with spaces

Only a virtual experience

Relaxing, fun gameplay

Virtual plant-growing game

Competitive Analysis

NAME

MAJOR

GOALS

PAINPOINTS

NEEDS

Prof. Sarah

Professor of Psychology

Find peaceful moments in nature to recharge between teaching and research responsibilities.

The hectic campus environment makes it difficult to disconnect and recharge. Limited access to quiet green spaces near her office.

A convenient, nearby space where she can relax and enjoy nature, without requiring a lot of time or effort.

46

AGE

Technology Comfort

Interest

I need a quick, peaceful break from the rush of campus life, without traveling far.

NAME

MAJOR

GOALS

PAINPOINTS

NEEDS

Alex

Art and Design

Find a space for relaxation and mindfulness to balance academic stress.

Constantly overwhelmed by coursework, unable to find effective ways to unwind. Limited knowledge about sustainable practices but is interested in wellness.

A quiet, adaptive green space that offers wellness insights, relaxation suggestions, and helps him recharge mentally.

25

AGE

Technology Comfort

Interest

I need a quiet space to unwind from the stress of grad school, but I don’t have the time to figure out where to go.

NAME

MAJOR

GOALS

Technology Comfort

Interest

PAINPOINTS

NEEDS

Mia

Environmental Science

Learn sustainable practices and contribute to environmental conservation efforts on campus.

Limited access to information on practical, campus-specific sustainability efforts. Feels disconnected from nature amidst urban campus life.

A space that educates her on how she can reduce her environmental footprint in everyday life, while allowing her to engage with nature.

22

AGE

I want to make a difference on campus, but I don’t always know how to take action in my everyday life.

Persona

Empathy Map

USER

SAYS

THINKS

DOES

FEELS

"I want to live more sustainably."

"I’m always searching for new ways to reduce my carbon footprint."

"Why isn’t there more information on how to be sustainable on campus?"

"I’m always looking for eco-friendly options."

"I love learning about nature and how to protect it."

Actively participates in environmental clubs.

"It’s hard to find convenient ways to be eco-friendly."

"Am I really making a difference?"

"Am I doing enough to minimize my carbon footprint?"

"What more can I do to live sustainably?"

"I wish I had more time to focus on sustainability."

"How can I encourage others to care about the environment?"

Disconnected from nature while on an urban campus.

Overwhelmed by the amount of information on sustainability.

Frustrated by the lack of campus initiatives.

Anxious about climate change and her role in it.

Empowered when she can make eco-friendly choices.

"I need more information on sustainable practices."

Volunteers for campus clean-up activities.

Seeks out eco-friendly products and practices.

Recycles, composts, and reduces waste whenever possible.

Attends sustainability events on campus.

User Journey Map

value proposition

Revenue Model

For Students and Faculty:

Mental well-being enhancement through nature-based interaction.

Ease of access to an engaging, digital garden experience.

Connection to nature for those with busy, campus-centered lifestyles.


For Universities:

Sustainability education embedded in the app’s actions.

Tracking and reporting on campus-wide sustainability efforts.

Engagement tool for promoting mental health and eco-friendly initiatives.


Partnerships and Sponsorships:

Seedz can feature branded eco-friendly products within the app as rewards or sponsored content.

Event Sponsorships:

Seedz can collaborate with sustainability events like Earth Day campaigns or campus environmental fairs, offering the app as a platform to organize and track participation.


Grants and Funding for Sustainability Initiatives:

Explore grants and funding opportunities from governmental or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) focused on sustainability or mental health.

Business Plan

IA-Information Architecture

Value

Effort

Basic Garden Customization

Exclusive Plant Species in AR

UX testing

Goals & Objectives

Key learnings & metrics

Goals

Assess Ease of Use

Measure Engagement with Core Features

Validate User Satisfaction with the Experience

Identify Pain Points

Test Feature Usability

Objectives

Determine Effectiveness of AI-Garden Interactions

Assess Motivation to Use Sustainability Features

Understand the Appeal of Visual and Design Elements

Measure Impact on Well-Being

Gather Feedback on Next Steps

Feature Ranking

Brand Strategy

Competitor Analysis

Logo

Color


Imagery

Brand Personality

Stylescape

UI System

Final Prototype

Emerging

Pictorial


Wordmark


Residual

Light

Saturated


Muted

Dark

Casual

Illustration

Lifestyle photos


Serious

Nurturing

Innovative

Authentic

Inspiring

Empowering

Making nature accessible to every campus mind, virtually.

Dismiss

Reply

Find

Generate

Picture

Search

Search

Custom Virtual Garden

Unique Plant Community

Plant Finder

AI Plant Generator

Achievement System

Plant your AI-generated creations in a personalized virtual garden! Easily organize and grow your collection in a beautiful digital space. Use AR to bring your garden to life and view it in the real world, right where you are.

Share your virtual plant creations and photos with like-minded enthusiasts! Exchange plant care tips, fun facts, and articles to grow your knowledge while connecting with others who love plants as much as you do.

Discover plants effortlessly with powerful AI tools! Scan, snap, or upload a photo to instantly identify any plant and access detailed information at your fingertips.

Bring plants to life with endless possibilities! Generate real-world plants, with prompts, or recreate plants from photos. Use AR to visualize your plants in the real world.

Earn badges for your plant discoveries and creative milestones! Track your progress, complete fun challenges, and showcase your accomplishments as you grow your collection and skills.

Reflection

01 Enhancing Personalized Experiences

02 Leveraging AR to Drive Exploration

03 Gamification for Long-Term Retention

How might we make the virtual garden feature even more engaging and reflective of users' individual creativity?

Can we add more customization options to increase user satisfaction and retention?

Could AR features be improved to provide a more seamless and immersive experience for users visualizing their plants in real-world spaces?

How can AR help users engage more with their local environment?

Are there more innovative approaches to badges and challenges to keep users motivated?

Can we align rewards with user interests, such as unlocking unique AR plant visuals or special features?