SERVICE DEVELOPMENT: CITIZEN WEEDS EXILE
SERVICE DEVELOPMENT:
CITIZEN WEEDS EXILE
Development of a community program through service research and design.
Development of a community program through service research and design.
BRIEF
BRIEF
Citizen Weeds Exile allows local gardeners to participate in trials of organic prevention methods for weeds, with outcomes shared in a community database.
Developed based on FarmFolk CityFolk Citizen Seed Trial - BC-based and non-profit program that aims to research and develop sustainable seed cultivation methods.
Citizen Weeds Exile allows local gardeners to participate in trials of organic prevention methods for weeds, with outcomes shared in a community database.
Developed based on FarmFolk CityFolk Citizen Seed Trial - BC-based and non-profit program that aims to research and develop sustainable seed cultivation methods.
MY ROLE
UX Research
UX/UI Design
Graphic Design
TOOLS
Figma
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe InDesign
MY ROLE
UX Research
UX/UI Design
Graphic Design
TOOLS
Figma
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe InDesign
UX RESEARCH
UX RESEARCH
Secondary Sources
Secondary Sources
The initial step done to gain a wider understanding of problem space.Provided insight into existing services (gov. of BC policies, private weeds management companies) and weeds prevention methods (biological control, intercropping, etc.).
The initial step done to gain a wider understanding of problem space.Provided insight into existing services (gov. of BC policies, private weeds management companies) and weeds prevention methods (biological control, intercropping, etc.).
Benefits of Citizen Weed Exile:
Chemical weeds management requires regular re-instalment, which leads to extra spending
Stimulate health of local plants by preventing exposure to the harmful chemicals
Would lower the amount of money and time it takes a farmer or a gardener to limit the growth of weeds
Benefits of Citizen Weed Exile:
Chemical weeds management requires regular re-instalment, which leads to extra spending
Stimulate health of local plants by preventing exposure to the harmful chemicals
Would lower the amount of money and time it takes a farmer or a gardener to limit the growth of weeds
Risks of Citizen Weed Exile:
If used long-term, the noxious plants are likely to develop resistance tactics
People might still prefer herbicide consumption due to simplicity of use
There are existing cultural and non chemical weeds control methods that are not widely known
Risks of Citizen Weed Exile:
If used long-term, the noxious plants are likely to develop resistance tactics
People might still prefer herbicide consumption due to simplicity of use
There are existing cultural and non chemical weeds control methods that are not widely known
Business Model
Business Model
The table shown was used to analyze existing FarmFolk CityFolk resources and programs to see what existing methods can be used, and what additional supports might be needed to make Citizen Weeds Exile come to life.
The table shown was used to analyze existing FarmFolk CityFolk resources and programs to see what existing methods can be used, and what additional supports might be needed to make Citizen Weeds Exile come to life.
click on the image above to get a closer look
click on the image above to get a closer look
Existing resources that can be used:
Volunteer and worker base with applicable knowledge and interest
Appropriate customer base
Social network that can be utilized for marketing and sponsorships
Existing resources that can be used:
Volunteer and worker base with applicable knowledge and interest
Appropriate customer base
Social network that can be utilized for marketing and sponsorships
Missing elements that would need to be considered
Funds & resources for the needed toolkit production
Customer base interested in non-pesticide growth
Missing elements that would need to be considered
Funds & resources for the needed toolkit production
Customer base interested in non-pesticide growth
RESEARCH SYNTHESIS
RESEARCH SYNTHESIS
Key Research Findings
Key Research Findings
In order to fill the unique niche and find appropriate audience Citizen Weeds Exile would need to contain:
In order to fill the unique niche and find appropriate audience Citizen Weeds Exile would need to contain:
Interactive engagement
Interactive engagement
Learning by doing
Learning by doing
Environmental care
Environmental care
Service Blueprint & Journey Map
Service Blueprint & Journey Map
Once the general flow was decided, I made a detailed service blueprint and a more general user journey map.
Once the general flow was decided, I made a detailed service blueprint and a more general user journey map.
Service blueprint shows detailed steps of a perfect user experience, outlining potential pain points and how they can be resolved.
Service blueprint shows detailed steps of a perfect user experience, outlining potential pain points and how they can be resolved.
Journey map provides quick overview of customer satisfaction levels throughout the process of the program.
Journey map provides quick overview of customer satisfaction levels throughout the process of the program.
click on the image above to get a closer look
click on the image above to get a closer look
Key points:
Attention to the users experiences (both positive and negative) throughout all the steps.
Consideration of the storage of the seeds and plants that are being used.
Details about needed materials, resources and preparation work.
Expectations from the staff and volunteers.
Key points:
Attention to the users experiences (both positive and negative) throughout all the steps.
Consideration of the storage of the seeds and plants that are being used.
Details about needed materials, resources and preparation work.
Expectations from the staff and volunteers.
Storyboard
Storyboard
Once the research has been compiled, I began developing a general service system.
The storyboard was used as a simple visualization of the service structure:
Signing-up for the program on the website.
Receiving the chosen kit.
Registering with the SeedLinked app.
Planting the plants.
Monitoring their growth.
Finishing up and sharing the insights.
Once the research has been compiled, I began developing a general service system.
The storyboard was used as a simple visualization of the service structure:
Signing-up for the program on the website.
Receiving the chosen kit.
Registering with the SeedLinked app.
Planting the plants.
Monitoring their growth.
Finishing up and sharing the insights.
PROTOTYPE & DESIGN
PROTOTYPE & DESIGN
LO-FI Designs
LO-FI Designs
FarmFolk CityFolk, relies on standard mailing through postal envelopes for the shipment of seeds in currently existing programs. Based on that information, I chose to use the envelopes for "basic" kits made for those who posses more gardening experience and therefore would require less resources.
FarmFolk CityFolk, relies on standard mailing through postal envelopes for the shipment of seeds in currently existing programs. Based on that information, I chose to use the envelopes for "basic" kits made for those who posses more gardening experience and therefore would require less resources.
Additionally to the original envelopes, I have developed box kits. They would be made for the participants who are newer to gardening and therefore would need more support and guidance throughout the program.
Additionally to the original envelopes, I have developed box kits. They would be made for the participants who are newer to gardening and therefore would need more support and guidance throughout the program.
The color scheme for the prototypes was based on Canada thistle - an invasive plant that has originally inspired this project. For boxes a darker color palette was chosen to avoid noticeable smudges that can come from shipping.
The color scheme for the prototypes was based on Canada thistle - an invasive plant that has originally inspired this project. For boxes a darker color palette was chosen to avoid noticeable smudges that can come from shipping.
User Interviews
User Interviews
In order to gather feedback on the visual presentation of the prototypes, I have asked 6 fellow designers their opinions regarding the kits presented above.
In order to gather feedback on the visual presentation of the prototypes, I have asked 6 fellow designers their opinions regarding the kits presented above.
The envelopes:
The lighter color palette was overall received much better than the dark one
The 3-letter layout was found to be too chaotic.
2 of the participants wished for the 3 flowers on the last envelope design to be visually more connected.
The envelopes:
The lighter color palette was overall received much better than the dark one
The 3-letter layout was found to be too chaotic.
2 of the participants wished for the 3 flowers on the last envelope design to be visually more connected.
The box kits:
The darker color palette was overall found to be hard to read.
3 of the participants spoke to the legibility issues due to the lack of contrast within the prints
The purple color was also found to be too bright for the overall design and a softer illustration of the plants.
The box kits:
The darker color palette was overall found to be hard to read.
3 of the participants spoke to the legibility issues due to the lack of contrast within the prints
The purple color was also found to be too bright for the overall design and a softer illustration of the plants.
Final Envelope Designs
Final Envelope Designs
Based on the received feedback, I updated the prototype sets to better match user needs.
Based on the received feedback, I updated the prototype sets to better match user needs.
Additionally, I have created the 2 sets of tools that would go inside their respective kits, (advanced gardeners for envelopes and beginners for boxes).
Each envelope would come with:
The set of seeds needed for the program
A card with QR codes to the trial instructions & additional resources
Additionally, I have created the 2 sets of tools that would go inside their respective kits, (advanced gardeners for envelopes and beginners for boxes).
Each envelope would come with:
The set of seeds needed for the program
A card with QR codes to the trial instructions & additional resources
Final Box Designs
Final Box Designs
These beginner-level kits would contain:
Simple foldable tools, such as gardening shovel, fork and shears
Printed instructions booklet (a QR code with access to the digital format would be available as well)
Built-in pot starters (could be used as temporary pots until proper planting space is found)
These beginner-level kits would contain:
Simple foldable tools, such as gardening shovel, fork and shears
Printed instructions booklet (a QR code with access to the digital format would be available as well)
Built-in pot starters (could be used as temporary pots until proper planting space is found)
The 3 kit covers were developed based on the same design seen on the envelopes.
I removed the program name from the covers themselves, as the box kit would come with a belly bend, that would contain the company specifics. Additionally, the top cover would feature stickered tabs that would cover the pot holes.
The 3 kit covers were developed based on the same design seen on the envelopes.
I removed the program name from the covers themselves, as the box kit would come with a belly bend, that would contain the company specifics. Additionally, the top cover would feature stickered tabs that would cover the pot holes.
Additional Web Page
Additional Web Page
Designed to match FarmFolk CityFolk's existing website.
Designed to match FarmFolk CityFolk's existing website.
The program's web page would:
Provide general insights into structure of Citizen Weeds Exile
Sign up for the program
Provide info on specific trials being researched each season
Allow to sign up for the preferred trial.
The program's web page would:
Provide general insights into structure of Citizen Weeds Exile
Sign up for the program
Provide info on specific trials being researched each season
Allow to sign up for the preferred trial.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
LEARNING OUTCOMES
The biggest challenge, and a learning opportunity, was combining the scientific research of weeds prevention methods with a service development project.
I had to give myself extra space to fully understand the benefits and limitations of different approaches to the gardening techniques while emphasizing with the gardeners' and farmers' experiences.
The biggest challenge, and a learning opportunity, was combining the scientific research of weeds prevention methods with a service development project.
I had to give myself extra space to fully understand the benefits and limitations of different approaches to the gardening techniques while emphasizing with the gardeners' and farmers' experiences.
NEXT STEPS
NEXT STEPS
As this project did not allow for any usability testing of the functionality, moving forward, I would want a chance to try out the developed prototypes with participants and those involved with FarmFolk CityFolk to gain a better understanding of their functionality.
It would also be beneficial to have the prototypes developed into properly made boxes and envelopes, instead of the makeshift ones, for better understanding of how higher quality materials would work.
As this project did not allow for any usability testing of the functionality, moving forward, I would want a chance to try out the developed prototypes with participants and those involved with FarmFolk CityFolk to gain a better understanding of their functionality.
It would also be beneficial to have the prototypes developed into properly made boxes and envelopes, instead of the makeshift ones, for better understanding of how higher quality materials would work.