MEENA SUJANANI
USER EXPERIENCE RESEARCHER & DESIGN STRATEGIST
Project Overview
This project covered a major portion of the product development lifecycle from business modeling and market analysis to user experience design and prototype development.
The Solution seamlessly combined a mobile application and smart sensor technology with services to simplify the food gardening experience for novice urban gardeners.
​
Sassy Sprout is designed with a sassy personality which is intended to provide an engaging and fun way to interact with plants.
​
​

Objective
Simplify the food gardening experience for the novice urban gardener
The Work
An analysis of market needs for the novice urban gardener was conducted. Key business requirements were prioritized.
​
Defined a business model, and created PR collateral including a press release.
​
Prototyped the proposed mobile app, demonstrating interaction with the sensor and the use of the online marketplace.
​
​
Challenges
The need to develop a solution with a low barrier to entry, given the lack of experience and time constraints for novice urban gardeners.
​
Designing the sensor notifications to reflect a sassy and fun personality of the plants without sounding rude.
Outcome
Defined an integrated solution that combined a mobile app, smart sensor, online marketplace and expert services.
​
Presented the solution for critical review to a peer audience at UW.
​
Research Question
How can the food gardening experience for novice urban gardeners be simplified, given that:
​
-
They have a busy schedule that allows them very little time to monitor their plants, and
-
Their lack of gardening experience combined with time constraints creates the need for a solution with a very low barrier to entry.
​


