Best Buds
Creating an kiosk prototype that helps novice gardeners find their perfect plant🌱
UX Research • Product Design • Kiosk Prototyping • Visual Design
Best Buds
Creating an kiosk prototype that helps novice gardeners find their perfect plant🌱
UX Research • Product Design • Kiosk Prototyping • Visual Design
Best Buds
Creating an kiosk prototype that helps novice gardeners find their perfect plant🌱
UX Research • Product Design • Kiosk Prototyping • Visual Design
Best Buds
Creating an kiosk prototype that helps novice gardeners find their perfect plant🌱
UX Research • Product Design • Kiosk Prototyping • Visual Design
Project • 1
During my studies in the DSGN 100 Prototyping course at UC San Diego, I teamed up with three designers to tackle a down-to-earth challenge—helping novice gardeners find their perfect plant pals.
Rooted in UX design practices and physical prototyping, we dug deep into research, observations, and user needs to grow ‘Best Buds’—a kiosk designed to make plant-picking easy, fun, and frustration-free for beginners and green thumbs alike.
🌼 🌱 🌼 🌱
During my studies in the DSGN 100 Prototyping course at UC San Diego, I teamed up with three designers to tackle a down-to-earth challenge—helping novice gardeners find their perfect plant pals.
Employing UX design and physical prototyping, we dug deep into research, observations, and user needs to grow ‘Best Buds’—a kiosk designed to make plant-picking easy, fun, and frustration-free for beginners and green thumbs alike.
🌼 🌱 🌼 🌱
Project • 1
During my studies in the DSGN 100 Prototyping course at UC San Diego, I teamed up with three designers to tackle a down-to-earth challenge—helping novice gardeners find their perfect plant pals.
Rooted in UX design practices and physical prototyping, we dug deep into research, observations, and user needs to grow ‘Best Buds’—a kiosk designed to make plant-picking easy, fun, and frustration-free for beginners and green thumbs alike.
🌼 🌱 🌼 🌱
Project • 1
During my studies in the DSGN 100 Prototyping course at UC San Diego, I teamed up with three designers to tackle a down-to-earth challenge—helping novice gardeners find their perfect plant pals. Employing UX design and physical prototyping, we dug deep into research, observations, and user needs to grow ‘Best Buds’—a kiosk designed to make plant-picking easy, fun, and frustration-free for beginners and green thumbs alike.
🌼 🌱 🌼 🌱
Overview • 2
The Challenge
How might we help beginner gardeners feel more motivated to plant and find a plant that best suits them?
The Solution
Designing a kiosk that helps beginner gardeners discover their perfect plant match—personalized to their lifestyle and birth month flower—while sending them off with a seed packet to start their growing kickstart their green journey.🌿✨
Overview • 2
The Challenge
How might we help beginner gardeners feel more motivated to plant and find a plant that best suits them?
The Solution
Designing a kiosk that helps beginner gardeners discover their perfect plant match—personalized to their lifestyle and birth month flower—while sending them off with a seed packet to start their growing kickstart their green journey.🌿✨
Overview • 2
The Challenge
How might we help beginner gardeners feel more motivated to plant and find a plant that best suits them?
The Solution
Designing a kiosk that helps beginner gardeners discover their perfect plant match—personalized to their lifestyle and birth month flower—while sending them off with a seed packet to start their growing kickstart their green journey.🌿✨
Info • 3
My Role
Designer responsible for research, concept development, initial sketch designs,UI prototyping, physical kiosk construction, user flow mapping, and creating a detailed presentation model
Team
4 designers (Anula Narasimhan, Arohee Agrawal, Olivia Simonds and Myself)
Timeline
November 2023 - December 2023
Tools
FigJam
Figma
Inkscape
Info • 3
My Role
Designer responsible for research, concept development, initial sketch designs,UI prototyping, physical kiosk construction, user flow mapping, and creating a detailed presentation model
Team
4 designers (Anula Narasimhan, Arohee Agrawal, Olivia Simonds and Myself)
Timeline
November 2023 - December 2023
Tools
FigJam
Figma
Inkscape
Info • 3
My Role
Designer responsible for research, concept development, initial sketch designs,UI prototyping, physical kiosk construction, user flow mapping, and creating a detailed presentation model
Team
4 designers (Anula Narasimhan, Arohee Agrawal, Olivia Simonds and Myself)
Timeline
November 2023 - December 2023
Tools
FigJam
Figma
Inkscape
Design Solutions & Notable Highlights
Design Solutions & Notable Highlights
Lifestyle Plants Quiz
The Best Buds’ Lifestyle Plants Quiz shortened to 10 questions tailored to the user's typical environment and behaviors for assessment.
Based on the user's chosen answers, four distinct types of plants might be recommended.
Kiosk Prototype
The Best Buds kiosk features a space for the tablet, allowing users to interact, alongside a card swipe slot that mimics the process of users purchasing plant seeds.
Vending Machine Prototype
The drawer, constructed from acrylic and wood, is placed on wheels indicated for the user to slide out and receive their recommended plant seeds.
Birth Flowers & Lifestyle Plants Quiz
Best Buds offers two options for the users to receive a recommended plant through:
Choosing a birth flower based on their birth month
Taking a lifestyle quiz and getting paired with a personalized plant seeds
Birth Flowers & Lifestyle Plants Quiz
Best Buds offers two options for the users to receive a recommended plant through:
Choosing a birth flower based on their birth month
Taking a lifestyle quiz and getting paired with a personalized plant seeds
Birth Flowers & Lifestyle Plants Quiz
Best Buds offers two options for the users to receive a recommended plant through:
Choosing a birth flower based on their birth month
Taking a lifestyle quiz and getting paired with a personalized plant
Lifestyle Plants Quiz
The Best Buds’ Lifestyle Plants Quiz shortened to 10 questions tailored to the user's typical environment and behaviors for assessment.
Based on the user's chosen answers, four distinct types of plants might be recommended.
Kiosk Prototype
The Best Buds kiosk features a space for the tablet, allowing users to interact, alongside a card swipe slot that mimics the process of users purchasing plant seeds.
Vending Machine Prototype
The drawer, constructed from acrylic and wood, is placed on wheels indicated for the user to slide out and receive their recommended plant seeds.
Lifestyle Plants Quiz
The Best Buds’ Lifestyle Plants Quiz shortened to 10 questions tailored to the user's typical environment and behaviors for assessment.
Based on the user's chosen answers, four distinct types of plants might be recommended.
Kiosk Prototype
The Best Buds kiosk features a space for the tablet, allowing users to interact, alongside a card swipe slot that mimics the process of users purchasing plant seeds.
Vending Machine Prototype
The drawer, constructed from acrylic and wood, is placed on wheels indicated for the user to slide out and receive their recommended plant seeds.
The Best Buds kiosk is officially up and running! Users can take a fun quiz to discover their perfect plant match and receive seeds to grow their new green buddy at home. Swipe, select, and start your plant parent journey!
The Best Buds kiosk is officially up and running! Users can take a fun quiz to discover their perfect plant match and receive seeds to grow their new green buddy at home. Swipe, select, and start your plant parent journey!
The Best Buds kiosk is officially up and running! Users can take a fun quiz to discover their perfect plant match and grow their new green buddy at home. Swipe, select, and start your plant parent journey!
The Best Buds kiosk is officially up and running! Users can take a fun quiz to discover their perfect plant match and receive seeds to grow their new green buddy at home. Swipe, select, and start your plant parent journey!
Design Process • 4
Design Process • 4
Design Process • 4
• Research
• Field Observations
• Storyboards
• Interviews
• Persona
01 Research & Observations
Week 1-2
• Sketches & Mood boards
• Paper prototyping
• Low-fi Digital Design
• Inkscape design
02 Low-Fi & Kiosk Designs
Week 3-4
• Branding & Design Systems
• Building Kiosk
• High-fidelity Designs
• Usability Testing
• Final Design
03 High-Fi Prototyping & Testing
Week 5-6
• Research
• Field
Observations
• Storyboards
• Interviews
• Persona
01 Research & Observations
Week 1-2
• Sketches & Mood
boards
• Paper prototyping
• Low-fi Digital
Design
• Inkscape design
02 Low-Fi & Kiosk Designs
Week 3-4
• Branding & Design
Systems
• Building Kiosk
• High-fidelity
Designs
• Usability Testing
• Final Design
03 High-Fi Proto- typing & Testing
Week 5-6
01 Research & Observations
Week 1-2
02 Low-Fi & Kiosk Designs
Week 3-4
03 High-Fi Proto- typing & Testing
Week 5-6
Research & Observations• 5
Research & Observations• 5
Research & Observations• 5
Rationale & Research
Rationale & Research
Rationale & Research
At the beginning of the project, my team began by bouncing off diverse ideas centered around real-world situations and needs with each other. After consideration, we selected gardening as our focus and proceeded to delve deeper into our research on this topic.
At the beginning of the project, my team began by bouncing off diverse ideas centered around real-world situations and needs with each other. After consideration, we selected gardening as our focus and proceeded to delve deeper into our research on this topic.
At the beginning of the project, my team began by bouncing off diverse ideas centered around real-world situations and needs with each other. After consideration, we selected gardening as our focus and proceeded to delve deeper into our research on this topic.
01 Destress & Self Growth
01 Destress & Self Growth
We selected this subject with the aim of advocating an activity that facilitates relaxation and contributes to personal development
We selected this subject with the aim of advocating an activity that facilitates relaxation and contributes to personal development
02 Common Hobby
02 Common Hobby
We choose plants as our subject because gardening is hobby that many people can find challenging
We choose plants as our subject because gardening is hobby that many people can find challenging
Online Research & Field Observations
Online Research & Field Observations
Online Research & Field Observations
We collaborated to do online research into gardening and its impacts on FigJam, alongside on-site observations to conducted at nurseries and local home improvement stores. This comprehensive approach provided us with valuable insights into the basics and operational dynamics of gardening.
We collaborated to do online research into gardening and its impacts on FigJam, alongside on-site observations to conducted at nurseries and local home improvement stores. This comprehensive approach provided us with valuable insights into the basics and operational dynamics of gardening.
We collaborated to do online research into gardening and its impacts on FigJam, alongside on-site observations to conducted at nurseries and local home improvement stores. This comprehensive approach provided us with valuable insights into the basics and operational dynamics of gardening.
Key Findings
Key Findings
Key Findings
01 Improvement of Mood
01 Improvement of Mood
Online research shows that gardening can improve mood, as well as lowering levels of stress and anxiety. Being more exposed to sunlight and focusing your attention on the immediate task reduces negative thoughts and emotions in the moment
Online research shows that gardening can improve mood, as well as lowering levels of stress and anxiety. Being more exposed to sunlight and focusing your attention on the immediate task reduces negative thoughts and emotions in the moment
02 Socializing
02 Socializing
We also discovered from our online research that gardening brings people together and strengthens social connections. People find it gratifying to tend, harvest, and share food that they grew with one another.
We also discovered from our online research that gardening brings people together and strengthens social connections. People find it gratifying to tend, harvest, and share food that they grew with one another.
03 Information based on Location
03 Information based on Location
During our field observations, we observed that nurseries like Armstrong provided specific information about planting and gardening, seemingly catering to experienced gardeners. Conversely, general stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s lacked comprehensive guidance on planting and maintaining specific plants.
This observation prompted us to shift our focus towards developing a kiosk that could offer personalized recommendations in more generalized retail environments.
During our field observations, we observed that nurseries like Armstrong provided specific information about planting and gardening, seemingly catering to experienced gardeners. Conversely, general stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s lacked comprehensive guidance on planting and maintaining specific plants.
This observation prompted us to shift our focus towards developing a kiosk that could offer personalized recommendations in more generalized retail environments.
Storyboards
Storyboards
Storyboards
We created storyboards depicting potential scenarios, aiming to visualize the kiosk's user interactions and assist guiding our interviews. (I drew the illustrations!)
We created storyboards depicting potential scenarios, aiming to visualize the kiosk's user interactions and assist guiding our interviews. (I drew the illustrations!)
We created storyboards depicting potential scenarios, aiming to visualize the kiosk's user interactions and assist guiding our interviews. (I drew the illustrations!)
Interviews
Interviews
Interviews
To delve deeper into the perspectives of novice and seasoned gardeners regarding planting, we conducted interviews with 12 individuals, comprising both students and adults.These interviews utilized our storyboards and a set of questions to gather comprehensive insights.
To delve deeper into the perspectives of novice and seasoned gardeners regarding planting, we conducted interviews with 12 individuals, comprising both students and adults.These interviews utilized our storyboards and a set of questions to gather comprehensive insights.
Interview Findings
Interview Findings
Interview Findings
66% of interviewees mentioned going to Home Depot to find their new plant, while the rest said they would go to a nursery.
66% of interviewees mentioned going to Home Depot to find their new plant, while the rest said they would go to a nursery.
66% of interviewees mentioned going to Home Depot to find their new plant, while the rest said they would go to a nursery.
50% of our interviewees said they buy their plants as seeds to begin with.
50% of our interviewees said they buy their plants as seeds to begin with.
50% of our interviewees said they buy their plants as seeds to begin with.
83% of our interviewees said they directly reap the benefits of gardening relieving stress.
83% of our interviewees said they directly reap the benefits of gardening relieving stress.
83% of our interviewees said they directly reap the benefits of gardening relieving stress.
Our interviewees expressed gardening as:
“a relaxing process”
“a therapeutic experience”
“a mindful activity”
“cheaper than therapy”
“excited; proud of myself”
Our interviewees expressed gardening as:
“a relaxing process”
“a therapeutic experience”
“a mindful activity”
“cheaper than therapy”
“excited; proud of myself”
User Persona
User Persona
User Persona
After analyzing our interviews and observations, we condensed our findings into valuable design artifacts. We created a user persona to contextualize and summarize our target audience’s experiences, user needs, pain points, and goals.
After analyzing our interviews and observations, we condensed our findings into valuable design artifacts. We created a user persona to contextualize and summarize our target audience’s experiences, user needs, pain points, and goals.
Low-Fi & Kiosk Designs • 6
Brainstorming & Sketches
We dived into brainstorming the visual aesthetics, crafting mood boards to nail down the emotions we wanted our kiosk and UI design to evoke. I had a blast sketching out ideas for the physical kiosk build—check them out below!
Low-Fi & Kiosk Designs • 6
Brainstorming & Sketches
We dived into brainstorming the visual aesthetics, crafting mood boards to nail down the emotions we wanted our kiosk and UI design to evoke. I had a blast sketching out ideas for the physical kiosk build—check them out below!
Low-Fi & Kiosk Designs • 6
Brainstorming & Sketches
We dived into brainstorming the visual aesthetics, crafting mood boards to nail down the emotions we wanted our kiosk and UI design to evoke. I had a blast sketching out ideas for the physical kiosk build—check them out below!
Low-Fi & Kiosk Designs • 6
Brainstorming & Sketches
We dived into brainstorming the visual aesthetics, crafting mood boards to nail down the emotions we wanted our kiosk and UI design to evoke. I had a blast sketching out ideas for the physical kiosk build—check them out below!
Low-Fi Digital Design
Low-Fi Digital Design
Following our paper prototype, we designed our first iteration of the main navigational pages on Figma.
Following our paper prototype, we designed our first iteration of the main navigational pages on Figma.
Inkscape Design
Inkscape Design
To gain a comprehensive vision of the kiosk's real-life simulation, I sketched its components and worked with my teammates to precisely calculated their dimensions. We then transformed these sketches into vectorized forms using Inkscape and crafted the pieces by laser-cutting them onto wood.
To gain a comprehensive vision of the kiosk's real-life simulation, I sketched its components and worked with my teammates to precisely calculated their dimensions. We then transformed these sketches into vectorized forms using Inkscape and crafted the pieces by laser-cutting them onto wood.
Low-Fi Digital Design
Following our paper prototype, we designed our first iteration of the main navigational pages on Figma.
Inkscape Design
To gain a comprehensive vision of the kiosk's real-life simulation, I sketched its components and worked with my teammates to precisely calculated their dimensions. We then transformed these sketches into vectorized forms using Inkscape and crafted the pieces by laser-cutting them onto wood.
Paper Prototyping
To simulate our UI experience, we developed paper prototypes to facilitate early visualization and rapid iteration for user testing.
Paper Prototyping
To simulate our UI experience, we developed paper prototypes to facilitate early visualization and rapid iteration for user testing.
Paper Prototyping
To simulate our UI experience, we developed paper prototypes to facilitate early visualization and rapid iteration for user testing.
High-Fi Testing & Prototyping • 7
High-Fi Testing & Prototyping • 7
Once our primary design concept was solidified, we dedicated efforts to craft the kiosk build and branding, enhancing the overall aesthetic and user interface experience.
Once our primary design concept was solidified, we dedicated efforts to craft the kiosk build and branding, enhancing the overall aesthetic and user interface experience.
Branding & Constructing
Branding & Constructing
Branding & Design System
Branding & Design System
I shaped our project's identity by crafting its branding and visual design—developing the color palette, logo, typography, graphics, and a cohesive set of standardized components.
I shaped our project's identity by crafting its branding and visual design—developing the color palette, logo, typography, graphics, and a cohesive set of standardized components.
Building Kiosk
After finalizing our design system, we gained a clearer understanding of the colors to apply, decorations to use, and how to assemble our kiosk.
High-Fi Testing & Prototyping • 7
Once our primary design concept was solidified, we dedicated efforts to craft the kiosk build and branding, enhancing the overall aesthetic and user interface experience.
Branding & Constructing
Branding & Design System
We defined our app’s branding and visual design by developing its color palette, logo, typography, graphics and standardized components.
Building Kiosk
Building Kiosk
After finalizing our design system, we gained a clearer understanding of the colors to apply, decorations to use, and how to assemble our kiosk. Here you can see the kiosk is coming together!
After finalizing our design system, we gained a clearer understanding of the colors to apply, decorations to use, and how to assemble our kiosk. Here you can see the kiosk is coming together!
High-Fidelity Design
High-Fidelity Design
Building on the user feedback from our paper prototypes and low-fidelity designs, along with our newly established design system, I took the lead in crafting the high-fidelity designs.
Building on the user feedback from our paper prototypes and low-fidelity designs, along with our newly established design system, I took the lead in crafting the high-fidelity designs.
Next, we conducted usability testing with 6 users, comprised of students, professors, and teaching assistants to refine and improve our designs.
We outlined user research tasks and post task questions for users to follow as they interacted with our kiosk on the day of the exhibition.
Usability Testing
User of the Best Buds Kiosk using our “Choose Your Birth Flower” feature to choose and dispense their month’s flower.
Upon payment, user is instructed to roll out the drawer to reveal their new seed packet
User picks up the dispensed packet of seeds and instructions out of the drawer
Next, we conducted usability testing with 6 users, comprised of students, professors, and teaching assistants to refine and improve our designs.
We outlined user research tasks and post task questions for users to follow as they interacted with our kiosk on the day of the exhibition.
Usability Testing
User of the Best Buds Kiosk using our “Choose Your Birth Flower” feature to choose and dispense their month’s flower.
Upon payment, user is instructed to roll out the drawer to reveal their new seed packet
User picks up the dispensed packet of seeds and instructions out of the drawer
Next, we conducted usability testing with 6 users, comprised of students, professors, and teaching assistants to refine and improve our designs.
We outlined user research tasks and post task questions for users to follow as they interacted with our kiosk on the day of the exhibition.
Usability Testing
User of the Best Buds Kiosk using our “Choose Your Birth Flower” feature to choose and dispense their month’s flower.
Upon payment, user is instructed to roll out the drawer to reveal their new seed packet
User picks up the dispensed packet of seeds and instructions out of the drawer
Usability Test Findings
Overall, most participants felt that Best Buds advocated for gardening, offering them a starting point fo their gardening endeavors. Participants commented that they can envision this kiosk being situated in local home improvement or nursery stores, which was our initial goal for this kiosk to be located!
Notable Insights
Participants accidentally clicked the wrong month on the Birth Flowers page due to the buttons being too large
Participants noted that they were a bit confused on what form of the plant they were purchasing (potted plant or seeds)
Participants felt like the questionnaire for the lifestyle’s quiz was a bit too long
Usability Test Findings
Overall, most participants felt that Best Buds advocated for gardening, offering them a starting point fo their gardening endeavors. Participants commented that they can envision this kiosk being situated in local home improvement or nursery stores, which was our initial goal for this kiosk to be located!
Notable Insights
Participants accidentally clicked the wrong month on the Birth Flowers page due to the buttons being too large
Participants noted that they were a bit confused on what form of the plant they were purchasing (potted plant or seeds)
Participants felt like the questionnaire for the lifestyle’s quiz was a bit too long
Some Changes made from Feedback
Some Changes made from Feedback
The buttons on the Birth Flowers page were changed to be in columns for the users to have less to scroll through
The buttons on the Birth Flowers page were changed to be in columns for the users to have less to scroll through
The buttons on the Birth Flowers page were changed to be in columns for the users to have less to scroll through
The purchasing button now explicitly states the user will be buying seeds for the selected flower or recommended plant
The purchasing button now explicitly states the user will be buying seeds for the selected flower or recommended plant
The purchasing button now explicitly states what the user will be buying for the selected flower or recommended plant
Final Design
Final Design
The final design aims to guide novice gardeners in finding the right plant for them. Through the use of the Best Buds kiosk, individuals can swiftly and conveniently explore their ideal plants, enabling them to embark on a journey of nurturing both themselves and their beloved green companions. Click on the tablet below to take the quiz and discover the plant for you!
The final design aims to guide novice gardeners in finding the right plant for them. Through the use of the Best Buds kiosk, individuals can swiftly and conveniently explore their ideal plants, enabling them to embark on a journey of nurturing both themselves and their beloved green companions. Click on the tablet below to take the quiz and discover the plant for you!
The final design aims to guide novice gardeners in finding the right plant for them. Through the use of the Best Buds kiosk, individuals can swiftly and conveniently explore their ideal plants, enabling them to embark on a journey of nurturing both themselves and their beloved green companions. Click on the tablet below to take the quiz and discover the plant for you!
Lessons Learned • 8
Collaborating as a Team
Working on this project provided an opportunity for me to explore numerous ideas and innovative solutions alongside fellow designers. Our collaboration empowered us to merge our diverse experiences and insights, facilitating the brainstorming of designs and the resolution of multifaceted challenges. This collaborative process was invaluable to me, offering a broader perspective, fostering new learnings, and contributing significantly to my growth as a designer!
Different Platforms
This was my first time designing for a tablet and creating a kiosk prototype from scratch, which was really exciting and challenging to do. Through in-depth research, extensive user testing, and iterative trials provided invaluable insights into tablet application design. Building the kiosk prototype taught me about ergonomics and user engagement in a physical setting.
This dual experience refined my skills in iterative design, emphasizing usability and functionality in practical scenarios. Overall, it offered a holistic understanding of digital and physical design, empowering me to create user-centered solutions across diverse platforms.
Lessons Learned • 8
Collaborating as a Team
Working on this project provided an opportunity for me to explore numerous ideas and innovative solutions alongside fellow designers. Our collaboration empowered us to merge our diverse experiences and insights, facilitating the brainstorming of designs and the resolution of multifaceted challenges. This collaborative process was invaluable to me, offering a broader perspective, fostering new learnings, and contributing significantly to my growth as a designer!
Different Platforms
This was my first time designing for a tablet and creating a kiosk prototype from scratch, which was really exciting and challenging to do. Through in-depth research, extensive user testing, and iterative trials provided invaluable insights into tablet application design. Building the kiosk prototype taught me about ergonomics and user engagement in a physical setting.
This dual experience refined my skills in iterative design, emphasizing usability and functionality in practical scenarios. Overall, it offered a holistic understanding of digital and physical design, empowering me to create user-centered solutions across diverse platforms.
Lessons Learned • 8
Collaborating as a Team
Working on this project provided an opportunity for me to explore numerous ideas and innovative solutions alongside fellow designers. Our collaboration empowered us to merge our diverse experiences and insights, facilitating the brainstorming of designs and the resolution of multifaceted challenges. This collaborative process was invaluable to me, offering a broader perspective, fostering new learnings, and contributing significantly to my growth as a designer!
Different Platforms
This was my first time designing for a tablet and creating a kiosk prototype from scratch, which was really exciting and challenging to do. Through in-depth research, extensive user testing, and iterative trials provided invaluable insights into tablet application design. Building the kiosk prototype taught me about ergonomics and user engagement in a physical setting.
This dual experience refined my skills in iterative design, emphasizing usability and functionality in practical scenarios. Overall, it offered a holistic understanding of digital and physical design, empowering me to create user-centered solutions across diverse platforms.
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