A plant diagnosis app that helps users identify plant health issues and get simple care guidance.

The product: 

Rooted is a user-friendly app designed to help plant enthusiasts diagnose and care for their houseplants. With features like photo diagnosis and personalized care schedules, Rooted targets both beginners and experienced plant owners, providing the support they need to keep their plants healthy and thriving.

Project duration:

May - Aug 2025

Project Overview

The problem: 

Many plant owners struggle to diagnose issues with their houseplants and often lack reliable resources for specific care advice. This can lead to frustration and plant health decline, making it difficult for enthusiasts to nurture their greenery effectively.

The goal: 

The goal of Rooted is to empower plant owners with the knowledge and tools they need to successfully diagnose and care for their plants. By providing personalized guidance and fostering a supportive community, we aim to enhance users' confidence in their plant care abilities and promote healthier, thriving plants.

My role: 

UX/UI Designer

Responsibilities: 

• Conducted user research to understand the needs and challenges of plant owners

• Developed user personas to guide design decisions and ensure the app meets target users' needs

• Created wireframes to outline the app’s layout and functionality

• Designed high-fidelity prototypes to visualize the user interface and experience

• Conducted usability testing to gather feedback and refine the design based on user insights

• Developed content for the app and website, focusing on clear and engaging plant care information

Understanding the User

Summary: 

In my user research for Rooted, I conducted interviews with plant owners to gather insights into their experiences and challenges in plant care. Initially, I assumed that most users would primarily struggle with basic tasks like watering and light requirements. However, the interviews revealed a broader range of issues, including difficulties in diagnosing specific plant problems and a lack of reliable information tailored to their unique plants. This shift in understanding highlighted the need for a more comprehensive app that addresses not only basic care but also provides personalised diagnostics and expert guidance, ultimately shaping the direction of my design process.

User journey map: Ava

Goal: 

To quickly diagnose and solve her plant care issues without feeling overwhelmed.

User journey map: Mia

Goal: 

To confidently care for new exotic plants while using an app that provides accessible features for her limited vision.

Starting the design

Wireframes

These were created in Goodnotes on my iPad, allowing me to experiment with multiple wireframing paths and visually express my initial ideas early in the process.

During the shift from sketches to digital wireframes, I uncovered new design opportunities and identified areas requiring further development. This stage reinforced the value of iteration in shaping a more intuitive user experience.

Low-fidelity Prototype

Usability study

Research Questions

• Can users successfully navigate and complete key tasks, such as setting reminders, accessing the care guide, and using the diagnostic tool?

• How intuitive and accessible is the app's overall experience?

• Are there any areas of confusion or friction during task completion?

Participants

• 5 individuals between the ages of 25-48 years old

Methodology

• 20 minutes

• Portugal and United Kingdom, remote

• Moderated usability study

• Users were interviewed whilst performing tasks on the app’s low-fidelity prototype

Round 1 findings:

• Users want clearer navigation between sections

• Users want accessibility settings to be consistent across the app

• Users want more efficient ways to manage plant care tasks

Round 2 findings:

• Users appreciated the clean layout and simple navigation, but inconsistent back arrow placement disrupted the flow in some screens

• Positive content and success stories in the Community section motivated users, suggesting potential for increased engagement if expanded

Refining the design

Mockups

Design system

As the designs evolved, I created a small sticker sheet to organize core components like buttons, icons, form elements, and accessibility variants. This helped me stay consistent across the app and made iterations quicker after usability feedback.

Results

Accessibility considerations

• The app includes an Accessibility Mode with high contrast and adjustable text sizes to support users with limited vision and reduce visual strain

• Animations and transitions are kept minimal and purposeful to avoid overwhelming users and to support motion accessibility

Takeaways

Impact:

The design helped users feel more confident and supported when caring for their plants, especially when using accessibility features. One usability study participant shared that the app felt “calm, clear, and easy to follow,” which reinforced that the accessibility-first approach made a real difference in how comfortable the experience felt.

What I learned:

This project taught me how important it is to design with accessibility in mind from the very beginning, rather than treating it as an add-on later. I also learned how much usability testing can challenge assumptions and improve small details, like navigation and clarity, that make a big difference in the overall experience.