The Global Flora Project
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Role:
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Researcher, UI/UX Designer
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Timeline:
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Nov. 2020 - Present
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Skills:
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UI/UX Design, Prototyping
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Tools Used:
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Figma, HTML/CSS
One of the first things I did when I entered college was join an on-campus research lab. The lab I joined was Professor Vanja Klepac-Ceraj’s microbiology lab and I begin my research creating data visualizations in R. After finding my love for design, I started my own independent study and embarked on a journey to make the Global Flora more accessible.
The Problem
The Global Flora is a "laboratory under glass", a fancy way for saying greenhouse, next to Wellesley College's Science Center. Many students and community members cannot access or locate the Global Flora. Furthermore, the interdisciplinary research is only shared through scientific posters and conferences.
The Design Process
User Analysis
Personas
Olivia
Goal: Create art inspired by science
Pain Points: -
Olivia is a first year and does not know her way around campus
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It feels intimidating to explore the Global Flora alone
Professor Smith
Goal: Creating lesson plans around the Global Flora
Pain Points: -
Learning about student research
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Due to the pandemic, Professor Smith has to work in the temporary greenhouses
Task Analysis
Our team developed 3 high-level tasks:
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Find a specific plant within the Global Flora
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Get updates about the Global Flora and fun events
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Learn about the research being conducted
Design Iteration
Paper Prototypes
Wireframes
Final Iteration
