jebu. – brew

Summary

Brew is a client project designed to help growers manage and automate their cultivation processes through an application.

This project challenged my abilities by expanding my technical understanding, deepening my knowledge of backend processes, automation logic and IoT systems.

view live prototype

This prototype is intended for presentation purposes and does not represent the final product.
It is designed to communicate the core concept.

Problem

The goal was to design an experience that helped growers with tracking and management by introducing automated processes.

User Overview

They are new or experienced growers interested in learning and optimizing their grow experience into something more enjoyable with big reward satisfaction.

User Pain Points

The grow process requires alot of attention and care. The responsibilities include scheduling, cleaning and monitoring. The information may be overwhelming.

The Challenges

There were two core challenges during this project.

Designing within an unfamiliar technical domain

The product relied on IoT systems, automation, and real-time data. This was a domain I was not highly knowledgeable about and worked closely with developers to understand the process.

Aligning UI decisions with backend logic

The interface needed to accurately reflect the backend system while staying user-friendly and intuitive.

User Journey

The user journey outlined the cannabis grow process. This emphasized user struggles, needs, and thoughts processes.

Competition Analysis

Hampa

Growing cannabis tool app. It supports the user from seed to harvest.

Hey abby

A growing cannabis tool app and automated grow box. It provides support and community share.

Budlabs

A hydroponics grow guide app. It provides a nutrient calendar and feeding schedule.

Shrooly

A smart growing mushroom tool app and grow pod. It provides support and guidance to cultivate mushrooms.

Understanding Smart Ecosystems (IoT Learning)

This project provided hands-on learning of how smart ecosystems work in order to accurately reflect functionality and data.

Devices communicate through Wi-Fi connection setting up wifi set-up process.
Devices requiring clear feedback for online, offline, disconnected or unavailable states.
Translating raw sensor data into readable, user-friendly visual representations.
Working closely with developers to understand how automation logic is processed in the backend.
Discussed edge cases such as system failures, delays and troubleshooting and mapped system states (i.e. scheduled, active, planned, paused, failed etc.).
Tutorialization and clear UI feedback to clearly communicate actions, data and system limitations.

Iterative and Explorative Design Process

The explorative nature of the project became an opportunity for improved collaboration, refined process and strengthened decision-making.

Early concepts explored multiple features and journeys.
Designs were frequently revisited as technical constraints and backend limitations surfaced.
Features were refined, reworked or descoped to priortize feasibility and clarity.
Adjusted flows and interactions based on developer feedback and technical discoveries.
Each design improved alignment between user needs, system capabilities, product goals and simplified user interfaces and flows.

Learnings

This project challenged my skills and improved my capabilities as a designer.

More informed about backend processes and developers perspectives.
Improved my ability to turn technical or abstract concepts into clear and feasibility products.
More intentional design-thinking and decision making with developer processes in mind.
Learned how to prioritize features and descope when necessary.
Built up product designer skills focusing on user value, practicality and excecution.
Strengthened problem solving skills and my ability to pivot and adapt to new workflows.

Reflection

This project helped me understand systems, developers perspectives and expand my knowledge on smart ecosystems. Its challenged my ability to adapt, learn quickly and apply them to practical solutions. I've gained product designer skills with a greater understanding of when to prioritize features and descope. It is important to balance user goals and client goals with feasability and execution to ensure project success.

view live prototype

This prototype is intended for presentation purposes and does not represent the final product.
It is designed to communicate the core concept.