Green Lens
Mobile App for Social Good
Role
UX Designer
Timeline
April -May 2024
4 Week Design Sprint
Industry
Environmentalism, Mobile App
Area of Focus
User Interface Design
& Interactivity, User Research, Accessibility, Prototyping, Copy Writing
I.
Define
During a four-week team design sprint focused on social good, my team and I created a mobile app designed to empower consumers to make environmentally conscious decisions. The app Green Lens helps users discern which products are beneficial or harmful to the planet, track and achieve their goals to reduce their carbon footprint, and educate the public about harmful chemicals in everyday products.
By providing detailed information on product ingredients and their environmental impact, our app aims to raise awareness and promote sustainable consumer habits. This project combined innovative design with a mission to foster environmental responsibility and informed choices among consumers.
II.
Ideate
During the ideation process, we focused on creating user flows that would ensure a seamless experience for our app's users. We started by identifying key user personas and mapping out their journey through the app, from initial sign-up to daily usage and goal tracking. This helped us understand the critical touchpoints and interactions users would have.
We then brainstormed features that would be essential for providing value, such as a product scanner for instant environmental impact analysis, a goal-setting and tracking system for reducing carbon footprints, and an educational section highlighting harmful chemicals in products.
To ensure consistency and coherence in our design, we created a design system and style tile that would drive design decisions and define the brand. By prioritizing these features and integrating them into a cohesive user flow, we aimed to create an intuitive and engaging app that would effectively promote sustainable consumer habits.
III.
Research
As part of our project, we conducted a competitive analysis on existing apps and websites that scan products and provide environmental reviews. We evaluated various platforms to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and unique features.
This analysis helped us identify gaps in the market, such as the lack of comprehensive information on harmful chemicals and the absence of goal-tracking features for reducing carbon footprints. By studying these competitors, we were able to determine what worked well and what could be improved, ensuring that our app would offer a superior and more holistic user experience.
This informed our design decisions and feature set, helping us create a more effective and user-friendly tool for promoting sustainable consumer habits.
IV.
Design
During the design phase, I participated in a Crazy 8's exercise to stimulate creative thinking and generate diverse ideas for the User Interface (UI) of the app. This brainstorming technique involved sketching eight different UI concepts in eight minutes, allowing me to explore various design possibilities quickly. After refining the best ideas from this exercise, we proceeded to create low-fidelity (lo-fi) wireframes.
These wireframes served as a visual blueprint, outlining the app's basic structure and layout without focusing on detailed design elements. The lo-fi wireframes provided a solid foundation for the app's UI, ensuring a user-friendly and intuitive interface that would later be developed into a fully functional prototype.
V.
Evaluate
During the evaluation phase, we rigorously tested our lo-fi wireframes to identify any gaps or areas for improvement in our design. By conducting usability tests and gathering feedback from potential users, we pinpointed specific issues and areas where the user experience could be enhanced. Based on this valuable input, we made necessary adjustments and incorporated these changes into our mock-up.
This iterative process allowed us to refine our design, ensuring that our final product was both user-friendly and effective in meeting the needs of our target audience. The insights gained during this phase were crucial in creating a more polished and functional app that delivers a seamless and engaging user experience.
Mockup
First Wireframes
Updates Wireframes
Ta-Da!
The Finished Product
We did it! We successfully created Green Lens, an innovative app that allows users to scan products and instantly check their environmental impact. The app also helps users track their progress in reducing their carbon footprint, providing a comprehensive tool for those committed to being a force for good on our planet.
With Green Lens, users can make informed choices, support sustainable practices, and contribute to a healthier environment. Our team's dedication and hard work have resulted in an app that not only educates but also empowers individuals to take actionable steps towards a more sustainable future.
