So.Green is an online community platform that connects plant enthusiasts and helps build a network of shared interests
TIMELINE
12 weeks
TEAM
Solo
TOOLS
Figma
Photoshop
Illustrator
HYPOTHESIS
People love to have that green corner in their house but fail to keep their plants alive
Online sources like guided videos and forums help in addressing problems but most of them do not have a conversational aspect to it due to which there can be a delay of response. Most plant parents find it difficult to keep a tab on their plant health and take regular of them.
DESIGN CHALLENGE
How might we create a centralized space for plant owners that will facilitate their journey of growing and maintaining house plants
SOLUTION
SoGreen is a solution targeted towards plant owners who live solo by assisting them in taking care of their plants throughout and connecting them with like-minded people in form of social network
This solution offers features like holistic care of the plant with smart weather detection for optimum care tips, share your experience with others to educate newbie plant owners and extend help through plant sitting
Onboarding
Overview of product key offerings of the to onboard new users to the app and help them get started
Add a plant
User flow to add new plants in the virtual greenhouse in order to keep their holistic health in check.
DESK RESEARCH
Why are plants so important to us?
1 in every 2
find it mentally relaxing
A home garden, as a kind of small green space, can provide ecosystem services with eco-healing functions in reducing mental stress and even helps fight loneliness.
2x
sales increased during pandemic
A home garden, as a kind of small green space, can provide ecosystem services with eco-healing functions in reducing mental stress and even helps fight loneliness.
35%
grow their own food
People prefer growing their own food for household use as it’s a convenient option and instills a sense of achievement and feeling of being connected to the nature.
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
A total of 5 participants were recruited that are currently unsatisfied with the existing solutions available for plant care.
Using data derived from desk and qualitative research, the below findings were identified.
Plant care experience is rewarding & motivational for plant parents
From newb to pro plant parents,
almost everyone goes through ambiguous phases of the missing routine of plants or events that are unprecedented.
🍀
“I have started liking the food that I grow on my own”
“After starting my kitchen garden, I have found myself to be more attentive and patient”
“I want to know everything about my plant”
“Connecting with plants is like with other humans”
“I look forward for a new shoot or a new fruit”
“I have another plant mom with whom I share all my plant care tips”
People are unaware of how to tackle unprecedented incidents
From newb to pro plant parents,
almost everyone goes through ambiguous phases of the missing routine of plants or events that are unprecedented.
💔
“Online forums and video generators take time to reply”
“Existing apps only show care alerts, there are so many more concerns”
“I don’t know all information about my plants”
“Where should I keep my plants for their best growth”
“Repotting time is usually missed”
“Changing weather makes it difficult to care for plants”
People look for reliable assistance
in their absence
Taking care of their plants when there is no responsible person around.
🏝
“My partner always forgets to water our plants”
“My dog fiddles with plants that might be toxic for him”
“Needs assistance in my absense”
“I’m always concerned about my plants when I’m away”
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
Existing apps focus more on keeping plant care as their main product offering but fail to address the pain point of users about the actions to be taken in case their house plants are in poor health.
IDENTIFYING OPPORTUNITY AREAS
HMW help people identify the plants they buy
HMW facilitate guided assistance for new plant owners
HMW enable a sense of community within plant lovers
HMW ensure safe maintenance of plants in the owner’s absence
HMW keep pets away from toxic plants
HMW help plant owners with changing weather conditions
HMW make the process of expert consultations faster
HMW make plant growing journey more memorable for plant owners
01
Build a community space
that encapsulates holistic care for house plants
02
Solution for plant owners who are often away from home
03
A comprehensive approach to plant care that encapsulates all aspects of growing plants
PRODUCT FLOWCHART
After understanding the main product offerings of the product, the next step was to structure findings into a sitemap to get a blueprint of how the app will function
DESIGN KIT
01
OPPORTUNITY
Build a community space that encapsulates holistic care for house plants
Existing apps focus more on keeping plant care as their main product offering but fail to address the pain point of users about the actions to be taken in case their house plants are in poor health.
03
OPPORTUNITY
Solution for plant owners who are often away from home
Plant sitters is a concept similar to pet sitting where you can leave your plants with a reliable individual during the time you are away from home.
Unattended plants were a major user pain point highlighted throughout the research phase.
02
OPPORTUNITY
A comprehensive approach to plant care that has all aspects of growing plants
Keeping the plant care journey aspect as the core functionality of the app, introducing plant recognition through scanning, and notifying users of the changing weather and the action to be taken amongst others were the features introduced keeping in mind holistic plant care.
PRODUCT STRATEGY
Monetization
-
Get plant sitters onboard with a one-time onboarding fee to give them access to all features for listing.
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Third-party collaboration for generating content related to events and care suggestions.
Growth
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Syncing calendar with the app and getting relevant notifications based on the user’s travel plans about plant sitters in the neighborhood.
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Suggesting events in form of notifications, based on the history of interest in the app.
