Florere
grow together
Florere is a service designed to reach those in the lowest times - providing a lifeline. Building healthy habits through aiding them to take control of their environment. Merging both the physical and digital for the best outcome.
Service Design
Mental Wellbeing
Group Project
12 Weeks
My Role
Research, Persona Exploration, Service Design, Wireframing, Prototyping, Packaging
Who's the target?
Isolated young adults who found it difficult to connect with others. Especially during the heart of covid where face to face interactions were extremely limited.
Brief
How might we democratise health and well-being; creating the conditions and tools for individuals to help themselves, their loved ones and multiple generations?
Research Methods
Our research methods covered a range of primary and secondary research focusing on identifying key areas of friction and pain points which were most prevalant in the general population.
Primary Research
Online Surveys (40 Participants), Observations , Open Ended Interviews, Public Thought Boards.
Secondary Research
Online articles, News articles, Research papers, Reviews.
Problem Overview
While awareness of mental health has grown, access to effective support remains limited. Underfunded community schemes, long NHS waiting times and costly private treatment have created widespread inequality in mental health care.
43.4%
say they’ve experience a mental health condition in their lifetime
3 of 5
adults with a mental health condition don’t ever access treatment
9 out of 10
People say green spaces have a positive affect on their wellbeing
43%
of people said long waits for NHS treatment made mental health worse
1.4 Million
people currently on the NHS waiting list for mental health treatment
58%
Reduction in depression symptoms caused by indoor plants
Key Insights
Analysing our research provided us with 5 key insights: Stigma, Communication, Coping Techniques, Routine and Plants. These insights provided the basis for our first rounds of ideation focusing on the factors which most effected the users ability to operate while in their chosen spaces. From these we created an opportunity statement the foundation to our solution.
Communication
Human beings are a social species that rely on communication and cooperation in order to survive. Having a close support network can be beneficial when dealing with personal issues. Simply speaking to someone about an issue can help relieve built up emotions and create solutions.
76% of participants said it was beneficial speaking to someone about how they felt (Survey)
Routine
Humans are creatures of habit, developing routines that can reduce stress and help with other psychological benefits. Organising our time can result in a happier, healthier mind. Upkeeping plants, which are usually regularly maintained by plant owners building routine.
“I want something to grow with me and I can get a tangible outcome since I am watering the plant every day” (Open ended interview)
Stigma
There is generally a stigma surrounding mental health which stops people reaching out for advice or talking about how they feel. This could contribute to feelings of weakness or embarrassment, leading to individuals keeping their struggles to themselves, ultimately making the situation worse.
Only 40% participants say they have regular contact with someone discussing their well-being (Survey)
Coping Techniques
As humans, we develop coping strategies to manage stressful situations, showing our adaptability as a species. However these techniques vary from each person, suggesting no one method will help every person.
To reduce guilt caused by an increased energy consumption during hybrid work.
Plants
Green spaces provide essential health and environmental benefits; they disrupt the balance between economic disadvantage. Promoting activity and well-being, as well as usually regularly maintained by plant owners.
“They help to make the environment (my room) feel like a more comfortable space to be in” (Survey)
When asked how they cope with stress participant responses included
To improve the access and availability of essential well-being services for individuals that may be unable to receive any kind of support due to a lack of financially viable services. Combining the positive benefits of plants with creating healthy routines and habits. Breaking down barriers through creating communities and boosting social connections will help to reduce stigma while benefitting the individual.
Opportunity Statement
Opportunity Statement
Early Concept Ideation
Utilising group brain storming sessions, we started to map out areas of interest from the key pain points. This provided a basis to create an initial experience map in which we could provide value for those most in need. Realising the large differences in exposure to looking after plants and large variety in environments; we started to focus on education and habit building activities which provided a more universal solution.
First Round of Ideation
Mid-Fidelity Prototyping
We explored multiple key routes of the experience map, exploring potential routes from initial onboarding to key feature routes which focus on the promotion of healthy habits.
This provided a great basis, however we realised that we were pushing towards an app which satisfied multiple areas rather than creating something which was focusing on personal growth. We in turn reduced the social emphasis and focused on the routing and habit building.
Mid-Fidelity Wireframes
Usability Testing
In order to gain feedback on our proposed process we created 2 mid-fidelity flows. We focused on the initial onboarding process and accessing the app through a reminder notification.
We tested this on 12 different participants who were within our target demographic. This provided us with a range of feedback to improve not only the service design but also the UI.
Majority of the focus aligned with how much effort those under mental strain would wish to initially exert when learning the app and also how customisable the app is to user interests. Exploring how to reduce initial friction while using the app was our first step in making improvements.
User Interviews
Branding
Creating a harmonious brand from the name, to branding across different media forms. We decided to choose something classy but playful with the main elements of the font, colour and name all emulating that of plants and the natural world.
Branding
High-Fidelity Prototyping
Condensing the flow of the product focusing attention on the reducing friction through reducing information overload and providing key suggestions throughout, guiding the users.
Implementing the brand identity allowed up to provide clear information hierarchy for the user and focus on creating an overall design which won't increase stress during use.
High-Fidelity Wireframes
Positive messaging reaffirms the goal of our service from the first touch point. Pushing the main goals and the benefits of use.
Virtual Reality provides escapism, creating tailored calming environments in which the user can immerse themselves in.
Packaging is designed in order to utilise every part of the material, focusing on proper housing of the plant and clear VR instructions.
Plant Recommendations
Initial questions help to understand users’ challenges and goals, recommending a suitable plant for well-being benefits.
Reward System
Users earn credits for completing tasks, redeemable with health and well-being brands after 65+ days of consistent habit reinforcement.
Personalised Habit Building
The app learns users’ hobbies, routines, and problem-solving approaches to recommend personalised tasks.
Virtual Reality
Virtually experience relaxation, communicate with an AI therapist, and engage with an online community.
Journaling and Routine Planning
Notifications for plant care, journaling, and daily tasks support the development of a healthy routine.
User Journey
An overview of the users journey from initial purchase to the proposed donation of the plant. The journey contains multiple cycles over an extended period of time. Focusing on sustained growth and building of habits.
When focusing on longevity and sustainable growth, the best option to provide the service was as a 'Community Interest Company'. Allowing growth through philanthropists and council investment rather than incorporating in app payments.
We saw that success for us would be through seeing reduced waitlist times for NHS treatment and increasing outreach to be a port of call for those who wish to make their first step towards improving their mental health.
Orders plant based off their specific wellbeing issues - some plants have benefits purely by being in a space
Browses Plant Shop
The user connects their plant to their account - allowing them to set their hobbies & goals section
Receives Well-Being Kit
After watering their plant the user logs within their journal - this allows the app to start to suggest plans for the next few days
Watering Notification
Accumulating points through continued use allows users to gain vouchers for hardware stores/ home improvement
Browses Plant Shop
Orders plant based off their specific wellbeing issues - environmental benefits
Donates a Plant
User Journey
Reflection
The service we have designed satisfies a lot of the current moments of friction where users with decreasing mental health can start to build themselves up. Focusing on the fundamentals of stable mental health with healthy habits in organisation, journaling and reaching out for help when in need, are all promoted within our service.
There is a worry that early adoption phases, if not met can lead to the service being dropped and in turn not lead to the necessary development of these habits. Our service is built as an option to help stabilisation rather than a direct solution. Focusing on building a service which provides the confidence to reach out to trained professionals if further help is needed.
In the future connecting the service with licensed professionals and direct linking to therapy organisations or the NHS would massively benefit the completion of the process.
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