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BLOOM
Gratitude
Calm
Growth
AR
Innovation
🪴
Reflection
Case Study
Design
Mindfulness
BLOOM
BLOOM
Capstone Project
Capstone Project
2024
2024
UX Design
UX Design
Planting Gratitude,
Crafting Serenity
Planting Gratitude,
Crafting Serenity
BLOOM
BLOOM
Gratitude
Gratitude
Design
Design
Calm
Calm
Growth
Growth
AR
AR
Innovation
Innovation
🪴
🪴
Reflection
Reflection
Mindfulness
Mindfulness
Case Study
Case Study
Bloom is an Augmented Reality app that enriches mindfulness by allowing users to plant virtual gratitude notes in their surroundings.
Bloom is an Augmented Reality app that enriches mindfulness by allowing users to plant virtual gratitude notes in their surroundings.
Project Overview
Project Overview
Bloom: Gratitude Garden is an AR app that enhances mindfulness by allowing users to plant virtual gratitude notes in their environment. Designed with user experience (UX) in mind, it combines intuitive design with innovative AR technology to promote daily reflection and emotional well-being.
Bloom: Gratitude Garden is an AR app that enhances mindfulness by allowing users to plant virtual gratitude notes in their environment. Designed with user experience (UX) in mind, it combines intuitive design with innovative AR technology to promote daily reflection and emotional well-being.
Key Task
Key Task
Context
Context
In today's fast-paced world, many people struggle to find time for mindfulness and personal reflection, often leading to increased stress and reduced mental well-being. Traditional mindfulness practices can feel disconnected from daily routines, making consistent practice challenging.
In today's fast-paced world, many people struggle to find time for mindfulness and personal reflection, often leading to increased stress and reduced mental well-being. Traditional mindfulness practices can feel disconnected from daily routines, making consistent practice challenging.
This app addresses this challenge by combining augmented reality technology with the practice of gratitude. The app allows users to plant virtual gratitude notes in their physical environment, making the act of reflection both engaging and seamlessly integrated into their daily life. By visualizing gratitude as growing plants within their own spaces, users can cultivate a habit of mindfulness that is both accessible and interactive, enhancing their emotional and mental health in a novel and personalized way.
This app addresses this challenge by combining augmented reality technology with the practice of gratitude. The app allows users to plant virtual gratitude notes in their physical environment, making the act of reflection both engaging and seamlessly integrated into their daily life. By visualizing gratitude as growing plants within their own spaces, users can cultivate a habit of mindfulness that is both accessible and interactive, enhancing their emotional and mental health in a novel and personalized way.
Solution
Solution
Minnie’s Garden
Minnie’s Garden
2D View
2D View
AR View
AR View
Next
Pothos
Plant
Pothos
Plant
Snake
Plant
Snake
Plant
ZZ
Plant
ZZ
Plant
Spider
Plant
Spider
Plant
BLOOM
BLOOM
Bloom
Bloom
Key Task
Key Task
00
00
Timeline
Timeline
The scope of work
The scope of work
The primary objective of Bloom is to enhance mental well-being by enabling users to practice daily gratitude through an engaging experience that combines an in-app virtual garden with augmented reality features
The primary objective of Bloom is to enhance mental well-being by enabling users to practice daily gratitude through an engaging experience that combines an in-app virtual garden with augmented reality features
I built my workflow in 4 stages, each of which consisted of several points.
I built my workflow in 4 stages, each of which consisted of several points.
Concept Statement
Design Precedents
Peer and Professor’s Feedback
Concept Statement
Design Precedents
Peer and Professor’s Feedback
1:1 Interviews
Peer Feedback
Introduction of AR
Usability Testing
1:1 Interviews
Peer Feedback
Introduction of AR
Usability Testing
User Flows
Wireframes
Prototype
User Flows
Wireframes
Prototype
AR Implementation
Hifi Prototype
AR Implementation
Hifi Prototype
Ideate
Ideate
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
Research
Research
Design
Design
Develop
Develop
Competitors analysis
Competitors analysis
The important findings
The important findings
Gratitude Focus
Gratitude Focus
Innovative AR Use
Innovative AR Use
Community Aspect
Community Aspect
Current mindfulness apps primarily offer audio meditations, with little emphasis on active gratitude practices. This presents an opportunity to center an app around gratitude to stand out in the market.
Current mindfulness apps primarily offer audio meditations, with little emphasis on active gratitude practices. This presents an opportunity to center an app around gratitude to stand out in the market.
While AR is used in some apps for object scanning, it is not utilized to merge virtual content with the user's known surroundings to enhance the feeling of comfort and familiarity.
While AR is used in some apps for object scanning, it is not utilized to merge virtual content with the user's known surroundings to enhance the feeling of comfort and familiarity.
Many wellness apps successfully create a sense of community among users. This element can be adapted to foster shared experiences of gratitude, enhancing user engagement and support within the app.
Many wellness apps successfully create a sense of community among users. This element can be adapted to foster shared experiences of gratitude, enhancing user engagement and support within the app.
Company
Company
Headspace
Headspace
Planta
Planta
Calm
Calm
Insight Timer
Insight Timer
AR Feature
AR Feature
Mindfulness
Mindfulness
Gratitude
Journal
Gratitude
Journal
Easy Sign up
Easy Sign up
Community
Community
Additional
Features
Additional
Features
Mindfulness
Courses
Mindfulness
Courses
Plant Care
Tips
Plant Care
Tips
Sleep Time
Stories
Sleep Time
Stories
Large Free
Library
Large Free
Library
01
01
Catalog
Catalog
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity...it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."
– Melody Beattie
“Gratitude turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity...it makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."
– Melody Beattie
Analysis
Analysis
1:1 User Interviews
1:1 User Interviews
Conducting interviews was crucial for developing "Bloom: Gratitude Garden" as it allowed me to gather direct insights into users' familiarity with AR and their mindfulness practices. These sessions helped me understand user needs, validate assumptions, and tailor the app’s features effectively. This approach ensures the app is engaging and resonant with its intended audience, enhancing its potential for success.
Conducting interviews was crucial for developing "Bloom: Gratitude Garden" as it allowed me to gather direct insights into users' familiarity with AR and their mindfulness practices. These sessions helped me understand user needs, validate assumptions, and tailor the app’s features effectively. This approach ensures the app is engaging and resonant with its intended audience, enhancing its potential for success.
02
02
UX Research
UX Research
General Use of Mindfulness Apps
General Use of Mindfulness Apps
Social Sharing of AR Experiences
Social Sharing of AR Experiences
Introduction to AR in Mindfulness
Introduction to AR in Mindfulness
Seeking Novelty in Mindfulness Practices
Seeking Novelty in Mindfulness Practices
Visualization and Interaction with AR
Visualization and Interaction with AR
01
01
04
04
02
02
05
05
03
03
Insight: Users regularly engage with mindfulness apps to manage stress.
Quote: "I regularly use mindfulness applications to help manage stress."
Insight: Users regularly engage with mindfulness apps to manage stress.
Quote: "I regularly use mindfulness applications to help manage stress."
Insight: Users are interested in sharing their AR experiences on social media.
Quote: "Being able to share my AR plants on social media would be great; it’s a fun way to engage with friends and family."
Insight: Users are interested in sharing their AR experiences on social media.
Quote: "Being able to share my AR plants on social media would be great; it’s a fun way to engage with friends and family."
Insight: Users are intrigued by the innovative use of AR for planting gratitude.
Quote: "I didn't know we could use AR for something like planting gratitude; it sounds amazing!"
Insight: Users are intrigued by the innovative use of AR for planting gratitude.
Quote: "I didn't know we could use AR for something like planting gratitude; it sounds amazing!"
Insight: Users are looking for new, engaging ways to practice mindfulness beyond traditional methods.
Quote: "The idea of interacting with an AR environment as part of daily mindfulness is really innovative."
Insight: Users are looking for new, engaging ways to practice mindfulness beyond traditional methods.
Quote: "The idea of interacting with an AR environment as part of daily mindfulness is really innovative."
Insight: Users express excitement about seeing their gratitude physically represented through AR.
Quote: "I would love to see my AR plants around me—it'd be really motivational."
Insight: Users express excitement about seeing their gratitude physically represented through AR.
Quote: "I would love to see my AR plants around me—it'd be really motivational."
Insight: Users are looking for new, engaging ways to practice mindfulness beyond traditional methods.
Quote: "The idea of interacting with an AR environment as part of daily mindfulness is really innovative."
Insight: Users are looking for new, engaging ways to practice mindfulness beyond traditional methods.
Quote: "The idea of interacting with an AR environment as part of daily mindfulness is really innovative."
Design
Design
Wireframes
Wireframes
The design process for Bloom started with creating user flow diagrams, followed by sketching initial wireframes. These sketches were then transformed into detailed digital wireframes using Figma, allowing for precise adjustments based on user feedback. Displayed here are the wireframes that illustrate the transition from early sketches to refined digital designs, demonstrating the systematic approach to our UX design process.
The design process for Bloom started with creating user flow diagrams, followed by sketching initial wireframes. These sketches were then transformed into detailed digital wireframes using Figma, allowing for precise adjustments based on user feedback. Displayed here are the wireframes that illustrate the transition from early sketches to refined digital designs, demonstrating the systematic approach to our UX design process.
Click to open the ink to the Figma Page of all the wireframes
Click to open the ink to the Figma Page of all the wireframes
03
03
UX Design
UX Design
iOS
iOS
Style guide
Style guide
In the process of designing the application, I used
the best Human Interface Guidelines practices (iOS
& iPadOS 14 Ul Kit). I created all the reused
elements such as buttons, tabs, cards, banners,
inputs, icons into components.
In the process of designing the application, I used
the best Human Interface Guidelines practices (iOS
& iPadOS 14 Ul Kit). I created all the reused
elements such as buttons, tabs, cards, banners,
inputs, icons into components.
The system of components and variants helped me create and manage consistent designs across project.
The system of components and variants helped me create and manage consistent designs across project.
03
03
UI Design
UI Design
Aa
Aa
Roboto
Roboto
Open Sans
Open Sans
#FEFDF5
#FEFDF5
#FFFFFF
#FFFFFF
#4A854A
#4A854A
#EEA091
#EEA091
#FBE2DB
#FBE2DB
10+ icons
10+ icons
Design
Design
Prototype
Prototype
Solution(s)
Solution(s)
Design Question 1: Enhancing Gratitude Expression
How might we design an experience that encourages people to express gratitude in their everyday spaces, enhancing mindfulness and personal growth?
Design Question 1: Enhancing Gratitude Expression
How might we design an experience that encourages people to express gratitude in their everyday spaces, enhancing mindfulness and personal growth?
This feature personalizes the experience of gratitude, making it more tangible and reflective, thereby enhancing mindfulness.
This feature personalizes the experience of gratitude, making it more tangible and reflective, thereby enhancing mindfulness.
Motivating Daily Use: Avatars change expressions based on daily activity, encouraging users to maintain positive streaks.
Building Emotional Connection: Expressive avatars deepen users' emotional investment, making the gratitude practice more meaningful.
Motivating Daily Use: Avatars change expressions based on daily activity, encouraging users to maintain positive streaks.
Building Emotional Connection: Expressive avatars deepen users' emotional investment, making the gratitude practice more meaningful.
Impact
Impact
Impact
Impact
01 Planting Gratitude
Users can 'plant' gratitude notes in a virtual garden within their mobile app. Each plant represents a personal note, creating a uniquely personal and growing reflection of their thoughts.
01 Planting Gratitude
Users can 'plant' gratitude notes in a virtual garden within their mobile app. Each plant represents a personal note, creating a uniquely personal and growing reflection of their thoughts.
02 Widget Integration
Bloom integrates a widget with plant avatars displaying emotions based on user interaction. Placed on the user’s home screen, these avatars encourage daily engagement by reflecting the user's commitment to planting gratitude notes.
02 Widget Integration
Bloom integrates a widget with plant avatars displaying emotions based on user interaction. Placed on the user’s home screen, these avatars encourage daily engagement by reflecting the user's commitment to planting gratitude notes.
02
02
UX Design
UX Design
Minnie’s Garden
Minnie’s Garden
2D View
2D View
AR View
AR View
Snake
Plant
Snake
Plant
ZZ
Plant
ZZ
Plant
Pothos
Plant
Pothos
Plant
Spider
Plant
Spider
Plant
Next
Next
Minnie’s Garden
Minnie’s Garden
Pothos Plant
Pothos Plant
Fantastic selection!
Fantastic selection!
The Lazy Gardener’s Best Friend: If you forget it exists but remember it once a month, the Pothos will still be your cheerleader, purifying your air from those pesky chemicals like it’s on a covert mission!
The Lazy Gardener’s Best Friend: If you forget it exists but remember it once a month, the Pothos will still be your cheerleader, purifying your air from those pesky chemicals like it’s on a covert mission!
Next
Next
I am |
I am |
100 character count
100 character count
Minnie’s Garden
Minnie’s Garden
Pothos Plant
Pothos Plant
Now write what you’re grateful for <3
Now write what you’re grateful for <3
Look at that!
You've just created your first gratitude plant. Now, let's get it planted.
Look at that!
You've just created your first gratitude plant. Now, let's get it planted.
Next
Next
💚
💚
💚
💚
Minnie’s Garden
Minnie’s Garden
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Minnie’s Garden
Minnie’s Garden
Great Job! You can click on the plant to
edit it or view it.
Great Job! You can click on the plant to
edit it or view it.
Home
Home
Profile
Profile
My Garden
My Garden
Add Plant
Add Plant
💚
💚
💚
💚
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Minnie’s Garden
Minnie’s Garden
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💚
💚
💚
I
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💚
💚
💚
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Bloom
Bloom
Don’t let it break!
Don’t let it break!
07
07
Let’s get planting!
Let’s get planting!
Where are you?
Where are you?
You are doing great!
You are doing great!
02
02
00
00
20
20
Don’t let it break!
Don’t let it break!
07
07
Minnie’s AR Garden
Minnie’s AR Garden
Pothos Plant
Pothos Plant
Fantastic selection!
Fantastic selection!
The Lazy Gardener’s Best Friend: If you forget it exists but remember it once a month, the Pothos will still be your cheerleader, purifying your air from those pesky chemicals like it’s on a covert mission!
The Lazy Gardener’s Best Friend: If you forget it exists but remember it once a month, the Pothos will still be your cheerleader, purifying your air from those pesky chemicals like it’s on a covert mission!
Next
Next
Start Typing...
Start Typing...
100 character count
100 character count
Next
Next
Minnie’s AR Garden
Minnie’s AR Garden
Pothos Plant
Pothos Plant
Now write what you’re grateful for <3
Now write what you’re grateful for <3
Look at that!
You've just created your first gratitude plant. Now, let's get it planted.
Look at that!
You've just created your first gratitude plant. Now, let's get it planted.
Next
Next
💚
💚
💚
💚
Minnie’s AR Garden
Minnie’s AR Garden
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Minnie’s AR Garden
Minnie’s AR Garden
Pothos Plant
Pothos Plant
Fantastic selection!
Fantastic selection!
The Lazy Gardener’s Best Friend: If you forget it exists but remember it once a month, the Pothos will still be your cheerleader, purifying your air from those pesky chemicals like it’s on a covert mission!
The Lazy Gardener’s Best Friend: If you forget it exists but remember it once a month, the Pothos will still be your cheerleader, purifying your air from those pesky chemicals like it’s on a covert mission!
Next
Next
Start Typing...
Start Typing...
100 character count
100 character count
Next
Next
Minnie’s AR Garden
Minnie’s AR Garden
Pothos Plant
Pothos Plant
Now write what you’re grateful for <3
Now write what you’re grateful for <3
Look at that!
You've just created your first gratitude plant. Now, let's get it planted.
Look at that!
You've just created your first gratitude plant. Now, let's get it planted.
Next
Next
💚
💚
💚
💚
Minnie’s AR Garden
Minnie’s AR Garden
I
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Design
Design
Prototype
Prototype
Solution(s)
Solution(s)
Design Question 2: Integrating AR for Closer Digital-Physical World Interaction
In what ways can AR technology bring closer interaction between digital content and the physical world for emotional and mental health benefits?
Design Question 2: Integrating AR for Closer Digital-Physical World Interaction
In what ways can AR technology bring closer interaction between digital content and the physical world for emotional and mental health benefits?
By blending digital content with the user's physical environment, AR enhances the sense of presence and reality of the gratitude practice, deepening the emotional impact.
By blending digital content with the user's physical environment, AR enhances the sense of presence and reality of the gratitude practice, deepening the emotional impact.
This interactive growth not only entertains but also builds a stronger emotional connection between the user and their virtual plants, fostering ongoing engagement and personal growth.
This interactive growth not only entertains but also builds a stronger emotional connection between the user and their virtual plants, fostering ongoing engagement and personal growth.
Impact
Impact
Impact
Impact
01 AR Integration
Augmented reality allows users to place their gratitude plants in their own living spaces, making the act of gratitude not just a thought but a part of their physical world.
01 AR Integration
Augmented reality allows users to place their gratitude plants in their own living spaces, making the act of gratitude not just a thought but a part of their physical world.
02 Interactive 3D Growth
Utilizing a 3D model from a text-to-3D model AI tool called Meshy.ai, the plants within the app grow over time and respond to user interactions, such as speaking words of affirmation.
02 Interactive 3D Growth
Utilizing a 3D model from a text-to-3D model AI tool called Meshy.ai, the plants within the app grow over time and respond to user interactions, such as speaking words of affirmation.
Phase 01
Phase 01
Phase 02
Phase 02
Phase 03
Phase 03
02
02
UX Design
UX Design
The 3d Plants used in the project were made by AI using meshy.ai Text to 3D model platform.
The 3d Plants used in the project were made by AI using meshy.ai Text to 3D model platform.
Click to open the ink to the Figma Page with all prototype pages
Click to open the ink to the Figma Page with all prototype pages
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Reflection
Reflection
This project has been profoundly enlightening, not only in enhancing my technical skills in AR and UX design but also in understanding the impact of emotional design on user engagement. Seeing how users responded to the app's features reaffirmed the importance of empathy in design—making something meaningful goes beyond functionality; it must resonate emotionally with users. I've learned that the smallest details can significantly affect the user experience and that ongoing testing and feedback are invaluable.
This project has been profoundly enlightening, not only in enhancing my technical skills in AR and UX design but also in understanding the impact of emotional design on user engagement. Seeing how users responded to the app's features reaffirmed the importance of empathy in design—making something meaningful goes beyond functionality; it must resonate emotionally with users. I've learned that the smallest details can significantly affect the user experience and that ongoing testing and feedback are invaluable.
Key Learnings
Augmented reality allows users to place their gratitude plants in their own living spaces, making the act of gratitude not just a thought but a part of their physical world.
Key Learnings
Augmented reality allows users to place their gratitude plants in their own living spaces, making the act of gratitude not just a thought but a part of their physical world.
Future Directions
These learnings will guide my future projects, especially in exploring further the intersection of technology and emotional design. I am eager to continue refining "Bloom" based on user insights and to explore new technologies that can further enhance the mindfulness experience.
Future Directions
These learnings will guide my future projects, especially in exploring further the intersection of technology and emotional design. I am eager to continue refining "Bloom" based on user insights and to explore new technologies that can further enhance the mindfulness experience.
02
02
UX Design
UX Design
Insight: Design thinking and continuous user feedback are crucial. Iterating based on user input helped tailor the app to better meet user needs and preferences.
Application: Implemented changes such as enhanced AR visual realism and interactive plant-care features directly influenced by user feedback.
Insight: Design thinking and continuous user feedback are crucial. Iterating based on user input helped tailor the app to better meet user needs and preferences.
Application: Implemented changes such as enhanced AR visual realism and interactive plant-care features directly influenced by user feedback.
User -Centric
Design
User -Centric
Design
Insight: AR can significantly enrich user interaction when seamlessly integrated into practical applications.
Application: Developed a unique AR experience that allows users to place and interact with virtual gratitude plants in their living spaces, enhancing the sense of presence and engagement.
Insight: AR can significantly enrich user interaction when seamlessly integrated into practical applications.
Application: Developed a unique AR experience that allows users to place and interact with virtual gratitude plants in their living spaces, enhancing the sense of presence and engagement.
AR
Integration
AR
Integration
Insight: Emotional connections can dramatically increase user engagement and app retention.
Application: Introduced expressive plant avatars that react to user activity, fostering an emotional bond and encouraging daily interaction.
Insight: Emotional connections can dramatically increase user engagement and app retention.
Application: Introduced expressive plant avatars that react to user activity, fostering an emotional bond and encouraging daily interaction.
Emotional Design
Emotional Design
Capstone Project
Capstone Project
Ayushi Choudhary
Ayushi Choudhary
2024
2024