Project:
A new outdoor company aims to create an online and mobile-app based educational service, with video and text courses providing interactive learning exercises across a variety of subjects.
Because they are a new company, they need to establish the visual identity that will serve as the basis for all their products and components.
Goal:
Encourage users to spend more time outdoors by giving them the confidence and knowledge they’d need through learning the basics of camping, water-sports, backpacking, first aid, survival skills, etc.
Scope:
1. Develop a concept that unifies the design and provides the basis for the identity of the platform.
2. Create an asset library and user flow for proof of concept and to allow for developer hand off.
3. Emphasize usability and cohesiveness of product
Research:
Many of us are in front of a screen for much of our day — whether that be a computer, TV, or smartphone. As a result, we spend less time outside experiencing the natural world. Here are some reasons why we all can benefit from taking a nature break.
Key Findings:
1. Nature can help us improve our thinking, reasoning, and other mental abilities
2. Nature can improve physical wellness
3. Being outside can improve your mental health
4. People who live near parks and green space have less mental distress, are more physically active, and have longer life spans.
5. Exposure to nature may decrease death from chronic disease.
6. When people exercise outdoors in nature, they do so for longer periods of time and at greater intensities.
7. Positive health effects are enhanced when green space includes water.
8. Being outside reduces cortisol levels, muscle tension, and all demands on our cardiovascular systems.
“3 Ways Getting Outside Can Improve Your Health.” Health, UCDavis Health, 4 June 2023, health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/3-ways-getting-outside-into-nature-helps-improve-your-health/2023/05.
Target Audience:
After surveying locally and online, a persona was created to incorporate multiple elements of the target demographic.
Gloria, 32
- College Graduate, Masters Degree
- Employed full time
- Lives in a home with son, Brother, and Father
- Gloria wants to go camping but is nervous because she's never set up a tent.
- Gloria has a love for the outdoors but feels scared to spend a night outside alone.
- Gloria would like to be able to encourage her child to be active outside
- Gloria's medical issues include high blood pressure. She is also at risk for diabetes.
Concept:
A new company has decided to expand their services through an app-based educational service. The project would serve as a database for lessons designed to teach users the basics of BUSHCRAFT, A TERM ENCOMPASSING A WIDE RANGE OF WILDERNESS SKILLS FROM FIRE-MAKING TECHNIQUES TO CRAFTING TOOLS AND SHELTERS. Bushcraft is the art of thriving in the wilderness.
The color palette is informed by American folklore. Stock imagery will promote age, gender, and racial inclusivity. Referring to past literature and iterations of this concept will inform the illustrations and iconography. Due to the desired ACCESSIBILITY of the app for all impairments and cognitive abilities, a simple interface will be best. Creating a name and identity will be more difficult to nail down but will be informed by our research.
Process:
The initial typography was decided to be too loud and the name was less than memorable, not to mention a mouthful to say and type. The initial color palette was too muted, so changes were made and more options explored.
"Trek Tutor" was decided on as informative and concise. A campfire icon was added after trying out a couple different backpacks (and an AI generated robot). With the identity coming together, it was time to finish the user flow.
A flow was created to illustrate opening the app, browsing lessons, viewing lessons, and adding them to your profile:
Identity:
Buttons and their states were designed with enough space to account for less precise fingers. The contrast and color are easily recognizable as to their meaning and include enough options for a variety of uses, should more features or layouts be wanted in the future. The system is easily modifiable and works cohesively for easy asset reuse.
Final:
The final project came together well after several revisions and a rebrand. The new platform offers a user-friendly approach to education for those with a curiosity for nature and bushcraft. Our research has informed the type of lessons that users are looking for. After further development it is apparent this will be a wonderful interface for a database, informed by a cohesive brand identity, easily recognizable in the wild and sure to spread by word of mouth.
