The goal of this project was to design an effective poster and an iPhone application that communicates an
intended message to the viewer, maintains readability, and is of high aesthetic quality.
intended message to the viewer, maintains readability, and is of high aesthetic quality.
I chose biodiversity as my topic, choosing to explore the impacts of biodiversity loss on environments and the animals that it affects. There was also a focus on gamification for the app, and I chose to include a quiz system with rewards and a shop to use points towards purchase.
Notes and Ideation
My research consisted of a lot of reading about biodiversity, causes of biodiversity loss, and things like that. I had a lot of success finding resources to guide me into knowing more about the topic, as well as who may be using an app like this, which helps me build the prototype.
Color and Type
For my color and type choices, it relates to the purpose of this app, which is to spread awareness of this issue, and these colors are associated with not only this problem, but with nature itself. When most people see them, they are reminded of nature, perhaps animals, trips they've taken, or wildlife they’ve seen. These provoked emotions might bring out a sense of empathy for the cause and keep the user interested in the movement to help.
For the type choice in this project, I wanted to take a very family friendly approach. They are both very rounded, approachable, friendly typefaces, making the viewer feel comfortable and safe.
Competitive Analysis
I analyzed three similar apps to the one I was designing, all of which I will show below with brief explanation as to what I took away from each one.
I really like the navigation in this app. The bottom icons make it really easy to get where you want to go with not a lot of explanation. However, the map function is really crowded and frustrating to go around sometimes. There is a lot on screen, most of it unnecessary.
This app benefits from its simplicity. Really big, readable icons make it easy to know exactly whats going on and what screen your’e on. The map is significantly improved from the last app, having icons to go along with the buttons and making it not necessary to touch the map itself, instead using buttons to specify your search.
I really, really like this app. Simple, illustrative art style with cohesive navigation and icons. Pictures of the birds themselves makeup clickable icons in some cases, and data entries are well laid out with pictures and options to enter your own data. The map isn't interactive, instead informative, making it easy for the viewer to look over all information possible.
Personas
Name: Emily Rodriguez
Age: 21
Occupation: Environmental Science Major
Location: Urban University Campus
Background: Emily is passionate about environmental sustainability and frequently volunteers with campus green initiatives. She’s active on social media, follows eco-conscious influencers, and participates in clubs focused on climate change and biodiversity.
Goals:
Learn more about biodiversity loss and how to make a difference.
Share educational resources and actionable steps with her followers.
Connect with local initiatives or volunteer opportunities related to wildlife conservation.
Pain Points:
Finds it difficult to keep up with reliable information on animal endangerment and ecosystem changes.
Overwhelmed by the volume of news and not sure what’s accurate or impactful.
Name: David Chen
Age: 38
Occupation: Middle School Science Teacher
Location: Suburban Area
Background: David loves teaching his two children about nature and wildlife. He incorporates environmental awareness into his curriculum, teaching his students about ecosystems, biodiversity, and the importance of conservation.
Goals:
Find resources and interactive content to use in his classroom.
Engage his children and students with real-world examples of biodiversity loss.
Get ideas for small, family-friendly activities that contribute to conservation efforts.
Pain Points:
Struggles to find accessible, age-appropriate content about environmental issues.
Wants simple ways to explain complex issues of biodiversity to young learners without overwhelming them.
Site Map and Wireframes
Posters
Final Product
