Water Saver
Project Description
Water Saver is designed to help users optimize their water usage by allowing them to control their water source using specific parameters based on the current temperature and humidity levels. It displays and uses real-time information on temperature and humidity, and pressure levels. Users can set custom parameters for watering their plants or lawns. The app also has a feature for scheduling watering times, so users can ensure their plants are being watered at the most efficient times. Additionally, the WaterSaver has the ability to track and monitor water usage, so users can see how much water they are using and make adjustments as needed to reduce their overall water consumption.
Problem
While functional in its backend capabilities of controlling water sources and detecting soil temperature and humidity, Water Saver was hindered by its frontend design, which is powered by a JMX interface that is visually unappealing and not user-friendly. This negatively impacted the user experience and discouraged the adoption and usage of the application.
Solution
To effectively build Water Saver's front end, I conducted extensive user research and built wireframes and prototypes to design a new interface that was both efficient and enjoyable to use. I then conducted multiple rounds of testing to ensure that the final design met the needs and preferences of the target users while being within the technical functions of the application.
Timeline
My Role
Skills
2 months
Front-end developer
UX designer
Figma
Flask
HTML
Python
JS
CSS
Design Thinking Process
Design objectives
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Define the problem
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Target Audience
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Pain Points
Research
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Understanding the problem & User
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Persona
Analysis
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Summary of data gathered
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Main themes and insights
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Journey map of the experience
Ideation
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User Flows
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User Stories
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Sketches
Tesing
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Lo-Fi wireframes
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Hi-Fi wireframes
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Design Systems
Testing
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User testing, expert review, etc.
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Feedback intake
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Accessibility review
Persona
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User Journey Map
Low Fidelity Prototype
Design System
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High Fidelity Prototype
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Final Designs
The final design of our watering optimization app is focused on simplicity and functionality. The app's main screen displays important live data readings of the weather, humidity, and pressure with a simple icon, making it easy for users to see the current conditions at a glance.
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The app also includes an auto alerts button that allows users to opt for automatic control of their irrigation system. This feature takes into account the user's inputs and adjusts the watering schedule accordingly to optimize water usage and reduce waste.
Users also have the option to customize and select how long their water source will be turned on, the number of times it will be turned on, and the sleep time between each water flow. This allows users to tailor the watering schedule to their specific needs and the needs of their plants.
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Finally, users are able to decide under which temperature or humidity threshold they would like to have their water source be turned on or off. This feature ensures that the plants are not watered under certain weather conditions that may be harmful to them.
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Overall, our app is designed to be user-friendly and easy to use while providing users with the necessary tools to optimize water usage, efficiently water their outdoor garden, and maintain the health and appearance of their plants.
Takeaways
As a designer, one of the main challenges faced when creating Water Saver was balancing the user expectations with the backend limitations of the app. Our goal was to create an app that would help users like Sarah optimize water usage and efficiently water their outdoor gardens, but we also had to take into account the technical limitations of the app and design accordingly.
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One of the main limitations we faced was the amount of data that could be stored and processed by the app. This meant that we had to make sacrifices on the front-end side and limit the number of plants that could be input into the app. This was a difficult decision to make as we knew that many users would want to track a large number of plants in their gardens. However, this was a necessary sacrifice in order to ensure that the app could function smoothly and efficiently.
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Another limitation we faced was the level of customization available for the watering schedule. We wanted to give users like Sarah the ability to create a personalized watering schedule that would fit their specific needs, but due to technical constraints, we were only able to offer a limited number of scheduling options. This meant that some users may not be able to create a schedule that perfectly fits their needs, but it was a compromise we had to make in order to ensure the app would function properly.
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Despite these limitations, we are confident that Water Saver will still be of great benefit to users who are looking for an easy and efficient way to optimize water usage and efficiently water their outdoor garden. We have also made sure that the app is user-friendly and easy to use, so users will be able to make the most of the features and functionality that are available.