User Research.

A survey was sent out to visitors of the Gardens to gain a better understanding of their unique experiences. Following the distribution of this online survey, we interviewed a handful of personnel affiliated with the Botanical Gardens to determine what features were a priority for the app. Both the interviews and survey results can us insight about primary users of the application. Lastly, we went to the gardens and observed those who were walking throughout them.  By seeing how people currently interacted with the gardens on a daily basis, we had a first hand experience in understanding the typical user that we would be targeting.

Personas.

After observing the gardens and conducting user research, we found the three main demographics of visitors to the garden are families, Clarke County School District and the University of Georgia students as well as researchers from the university.

Below are the needs we observed for these specific groups.

Families: a map of the facilities and resources available

Students: a means of collected information gathered at the gardens and an interactive, educational experience

Researchers: a directory to know who to contact for specific research endeavors, a pool of other researchers, and means of collecting data.

Sketch.

After conducting our user research, we decided on app that is interactive and easy to use across multiple demographics. Our design is mocked after the UGA app, with simple icons for easy access to different functions.

As we advance from Alpha to Beta, we will incorporate the following features:

• General information and FAQs that are not easily accessed from their website. 

• Directory which will help CCSD and UGA students know who to contact for research and academic inquiries.

• Plant information index which will allow students and visitors to manually access academic material both in and outside the gardens. This is to facilitate continual learning, when users don’t have access to the Gardens and the QR scanners.

• Research portal for researchers to talk about their different projects.

• Interactive map with markers throughout the garden

In our redesign of the application, we found the solution to the problem the Garden wanted to address: how to encourage interactivity between visitors and the plants within the garden - a QR scanner.

Updating to Beta.

In our alpha, we showed a map with different pinpoints (bathrooms, parking, and other facilities), which we are still incorporating, but the QR code technology takes it a step further.

A QR scanner that allows visitors to scan QR codes on the plant signs, teaching them more about the plants and (hopefully) translating into other languages. With the aid of Google translate, which is a grandiose natural language processor, users can scan the QR codes and have it automatically translate into their desired language that is set on their phone. This helps meet the needs of the visiting families and researchers who speak languages other than English.

The QR Code Reader will provide additional academic material for students, including audio and video clips as well as historical/cultural backgrounds on the flora and fauna.

When users click on the QR code reader camera, they will have access to extra instructional aids, including video and audio, which will be able to be translated for those who don't speak English. Can be used throughout the Gardens.

Simulation: The mother of four wants to know if her father, who is in a wheel chair , can come tour the garden with them next time. When she checks this section, she sees that he would have wheelchair parking and access to assisted transportation in a golf cart.