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Personal project
VERDANT COMPANION
An Intelligent Solution to Help Newbies Successfully Care for Plants
Key Challenges
Core Goal
Fragmented Knowledge
Beginners lack essential plant care knowledge, and existing information is scattered and unstructured.
Mismatch Between Needs and Solutions
Current platforms offer generic advice that fails to address specific plant types and individual user preferences.
To create a user-centered plant care platform integrating monitoring, guidance, and learning
Difficulty Assessing Plant Health
Novice users struggle to independently identify plant problems and often rely on external help.
Values
Foster a deeper connection between users and nature, bringing joy and fulfillment through plant care.
Background
Urbanization has distanced people from nature, increasing the desire to reconnect through indoor plants. While plant care has evolved from traditional agricultural practices to ecological gardening and smart monitoring technologies, the indoor plant market continues to grow rapidly, especially among novice users.
However, many beginners lack sufficient knowledge and experience, resulting in high failure rates in plant care and revealing a gap between market growth and user capability.
User Interview – Key Insights
01. Why did users start growing plants?
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To relieve stress from academic pressure
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To pass time after graduation
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To improve mood during difficult periods
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As a low-commitment alternative to pets
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For aesthetic purposes (e.g., photography)
Plants are closely connected to emotional well-being rather than purely functional care.
02. Major Problems Users Encountered
Overwatering & Plant Death
Users are uncertain about proper watering amounts and struggle to understand plant-specific care needs.
Overall Pattern
Common issues include unclear care requirements and lack of emotional support, indicating a need for more detailed guidance and encouragement.
Lack of Knowledge
users often feel confused about plant types and care requirements, leading them to purchase unsuitable plants.
users encounter scattered and sometimes misleading information, resulting in plant growth outcomes that do not match their expectations.
Misinformation Online
Emotional Frustration
Users feel disappointed when their plants die and lack emotional support when experiencing care failures.
User Portrait
Dani | The Intuitive Beginner
Dani is a 21-year-old freelancer and plant novice with only one month of experience. As a member of the Intuitive Plant Care Group, he prioritizes direct observation and simple, mobile-led operations over complex botanical theories. To lower the barrier to entry, he seeks streamlined workflows and clear, step-by-step guidance that make plant care feel approachable and effortless.
Key Insight
For novice users like Dani, success hinges on transforming complex botanical tasks into a frictionless, visual-driven mobile experience.
User Journey Map
Storyboard
I provide beginner-friendly plant care solutions through real-time monitoring, expert guidance, and emotional support, empowering users to confidently care for their plants and truly enjoy the process.
01
04
Jay finds her plant wilting and searches for care solutions online.
Following guidance, Jay carefully waters her plant and sees improvement
02
05
Overwhelmed by too much information, she downloads our platform.
The platform rewards Jay with a virtual badge, boosting her confidence.
03
06
Using the app, she identifies the plant's issue and receives tailored advice
Jay shares her achievement, celebrating her plant care success with family.
Design Definition
This design targets beginners and urban residents who are interested in plant care but lack structured knowledge. It supports users at home or in office environments when plant health issues arise, providing personalized guidance and smart monitoring to simplify complex care information and make plant maintenance more accessible and effective.
Personalized Care Plan
Offers custom care plans based on experience, environment, and preferences, enhancing care efficiency.
Photo-Based Plant Identification
Offers custom care plans based on experience, environment, and preferences, enhancing care efficiency.
Health Monitoring and Diagnostics
Uses sensors to track light, humidity, and temperature, preventing plant deterioration.
Rewards and Achievement System
Motivates users to stay engaged with points, badges, and rewards.
Comprehensive Plant Care Guide
Allows quick plant ID through photos, assisting beginners with care information.
Virtual Garden and Community Interaction
Provides a shared virtual space for progress sharing and community support.
Plant Scan & Health Analysis
Key Visual
This platform offers a comprehensive plant care solution, combining real-time monitoring, personalized guidance, and educational resources.
Provides real-time alerts and insights into each plant’s condition, helping users address issues promptly.
Offers a gamified gardening experience, allowing users to track progress, earn badges, and see their virtual garden flourish as they care for their plants.
Allows users to quickly identify plant species by scanning a photo. Provides real-time health diagnostics and tailored care recommendations, helping users address issues like watering, sunlight, and nutrient needs immediately.
Low fidelity
Virtual Garden & Gamification
Notifications & Plant Condition
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