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EcoCali Mobile App
Climate App
EcoCali is a mobile climate app designed for the year 2050, tailored specifically for the mountainous regions of California. The app combines essential features such as current weather updates, climate-related alerts, and sustainability-focused resources. By providing real-time weather information, emergency notifications, and tools to support eco-friendly living, EcoCali aims to enhance both the environmental awareness and daily experiences of its users in this unique region.
Project Role
Independent Project - Solo
Independent Project - Solo
Independent Project - Solo
Methods/Tools Used
Figma, Wireframing, Prototyping and User Testing
Figma, Wireframing, Prototyping and User Testing
Figma, Wireframing, Prototyping and User Testing
Duration
December 2024
December 2024
December 2024
Early Process
For this project, I aimed to create a climate app tailored to extreme cold conditions in the year 2050. I began by researching essential features for a climate app while also considering the specific location for the app. Initially, I was drawn to Los Angeles, a place I’m familiar with from my travels, but ultimately chose the mountain regions of California. I decided on Lone Pine, California, as the core location for the app, wanting to explore a region I was less familiar with but eager to learn more about. To better understand the needs of the app, I began asking key questions that would guide the app’s design and functionality.
For this project, I aimed to create a climate app tailored to extreme cold conditions in the year 2050. I began by researching essential features for a climate app while also considering the specific location for the app. Initially, I was drawn to Los Angeles, a place I’m familiar with from my travels, but ultimately chose the mountain regions of California. I decided on Lone Pine, California, as the core location for the app, wanting to explore a region I was less familiar with but eager to learn more about. To better understand the needs of the app, I began asking key questions that would guide the app’s design and functionality.
For this project, I aimed to create a climate app tailored to extreme cold conditions in the year 2050. I began by researching essential features for a climate app while also considering the specific location for the app. Initially, I was drawn to Los Angeles, a place I’m familiar with from my travels, but ultimately chose the mountain regions of California. I decided on Lone Pine, California, as the core location for the app, wanting to explore a region I was less familiar with but eager to learn more about. To better understand the needs of the app, I began asking key questions that would guide the app’s design and functionality.
Key Questions
Where is it located?
Lone Pine, California, USA
Lone Pine, California, USA
Lone Pine, California, USA
What is its range of temperatures?
Coastal areas: 65°F to 85°F.
Desert areas: 85°F to 150°F .
Mountain areas: 20°F to -60°F (more varied).
Urban areas: 70°F to 120°F (can become hotter due to climate change).
Coastal areas: 65°F to 85°F.
Desert areas: 85°F to 150°F .
Mountain areas: 20°F to -60°F (more varied).
Urban areas: 70°F to 120°F (can become hotter due to climate change).
Coastal areas: 65°F to 85°F.
Desert areas: 85°F to 150°F .
Mountain areas: 20°F to -60°F (more varied).
Urban areas: 70°F to 120°F (can become hotter due to climate change).
Does it have seasons?
California experiences four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Spring: Mild with sporadic rain, around 55°F - 75°F.
Summer: Hot, particularly inland, with increasing temperatures due to climate change.
Fall: Temperate, with mild rains.
Winter: Snow storm all winter long in mountain regions.
California experiences four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Spring: Mild with sporadic rain, around 55°F - 75°F.
Summer: Hot, particularly inland, with increasing temperatures due to climate change.
Fall: Temperate, with mild rains.
Winter: Snow storm all winter long in mountain regions.
California experiences four seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Spring: Mild with sporadic rain, around 55°F - 75°F.
Summer: Hot, particularly inland, with increasing temperatures due to climate change.
Fall: Temperate, with mild rains.
Winter: Snow storm all winter long in mountain regions.
Does it have precipitation? What kinds?
Does it have precipitation? What kinds?
Does it have precipitation? What kinds?
Heavy Rain: Occasional heavy storms in winter.
Freezing Snow: Predominantly in the mountains during winter.
Droughts & Dust Storms: Desert Region
Heavy Rain: Occasional heavy storms in winter.
Freezing Snow: Predominantly in the mountains during winter.
Droughts & Dust Storms: Desert Region
Heavy Rain: Occasional heavy storms in winter.
Freezing Snow: Predominantly in the mountains during winter.
Droughts & Dust Storms: Desert Region
What kind of life and/or ecosystems does this climate have?
Coastal: Marine life, beaches, wetlands.
Inland: Desert flora and fauna, adapted to dry conditions.
Mountains: Forests, wildlife, and snow-capped peaks.
Urban: More sustainable, green tech, possibly vertical farms and smart homes.
Coastal: Marine life, beaches, wetlands.
Inland: Desert flora and fauna, adapted to dry conditions.
Mountains: Forests, wildlife, and snow-capped peaks.
Urban: More sustainable, green tech, possibly vertical farms and smart homes.
Coastal: Marine life, beaches, wetlands.
Inland: Desert flora and fauna, adapted to dry conditions.
Mountains: Forests, wildlife, and snow-capped peaks.
Urban: More sustainable, green tech, possibly vertical farms and smart homes.
After addressing my key research questions, I began creating user personas to better understand the needs and expectations of the target audience for the app. This allowed me to pinpoint the essential features and functionalities required for the app, helping inform my brainstorming and design process. With the personas in mind, I focused on identifying the main features that users would rely on, as well as the types of information and tools they would need.
Alongside the wireframes, I also developed a comprehensive style guide that aligns with the app’s purpose and tone. Given the app's focus on climate-related data, I chose a color palette that reflects the region’s climate, and incorporated simple, outline-style icons to maintain clarity and accessibility. I selected a clean, minimalist font to ensure readability and ease of use for all users.
After addressing my key research questions, I began creating user personas to better understand the needs and expectations of the target audience for the app. This allowed me to pinpoint the essential features and functionalities required for the app, helping inform my brainstorming and design process. With the personas in mind, I focused on identifying the main features that users would rely on, as well as the types of information and tools they would need.
Alongside the wireframes, I also developed a comprehensive style guide that aligns with the app’s purpose and tone. Given the app's focus on climate-related data, I chose a color palette that reflects the region’s climate, and incorporated simple, outline-style icons to maintain clarity and accessibility. I selected a clean, minimalist font to ensure readability and ease of use for all users.
After addressing my key research questions, I began creating user personas to better understand the needs and expectations of the target audience for the app. This allowed me to pinpoint the essential features and functionalities required for the app, helping inform my brainstorming and design process. With the personas in mind, I focused on identifying the main features that users would rely on, as well as the types of information and tools they would need.
Alongside the wireframes, I also developed a comprehensive style guide that aligns with the app’s purpose and tone. Given the app's focus on climate-related data, I chose a color palette that reflects the region’s climate, and incorporated simple, outline-style icons to maintain clarity and accessibility. I selected a clean, minimalist font to ensure readability and ease of use for all users.
The EcoCali app was designed to reflect the natural color palette of the region it serves, ensuring it feels connected to the local environment. In creating the app, particular attention was given to selecting and displaying the most relevant climate-related information to users, tailored specifically to their geographical area.
To ensure the app’s design and functionality were effective, a user testing phase was carried out through a survey. This testing aimed to determine whether users found the app intuitive, easy to navigate, and whether the content on each page was valuable and relevant to their climate concerns.
The EcoCali app was designed to reflect the natural color palette of the region it serves, ensuring it feels connected to the local environment. In creating the app, particular attention was given to selecting and displaying the most relevant climate-related information to users, tailored specifically to their geographical area.
To ensure the app’s design and functionality were effective, a user testing phase was carried out through a survey. This testing aimed to determine whether users found the app intuitive, easy to navigate, and whether the content on each page was valuable and relevant to their climate concerns.
The EcoCali app was designed to reflect the natural color palette of the region it serves, ensuring it feels connected to the local environment. In creating the app, particular attention was given to selecting and displaying the most relevant climate-related information to users, tailored specifically to their geographical area.
To ensure the app’s design and functionality were effective, a user testing phase was carried out through a survey. This testing aimed to determine whether users found the app intuitive, easy to navigate, and whether the content on each page was valuable and relevant to their climate concerns.
User Research Reflection
User Research Reflection
Based on the survey feedback, most users found it easy to navigate through the prototype, even though one page was incomplete, which was mentioned by a user in the survey. The survey questions were designed to focus on functionality and content to evaluate whether users understood the app’s purpose without explicitly explaining its concept beforehand. This approach allowed me to assess how intuitive and self-explanatory the app's features were. Overall, the responses indicated that users had a clear understanding of the app’s content and its intended purpose, which was a positive outcome.
One common suggestion from users was to add a feature that shows air quality levels. This feedback highlighted an interest in more real-time, environmental data that could be useful for the app’s target audience. Additionally, another user requested interactive features that could display how weather conditions, such as rain or snow, are affecting the local area. This shows an interest in a more dynamic experience where users can directly engage with the app's features based on their location and real-time updates.
Interestingly, there was no feedback that I found unexpected, and the responses generally aligned with what I had anticipated. This gave me confidence that the app’s functionality and content were well-aligned with user expectations. The feedback has been valuable in highlighting areas where the app can be improved, especially in terms of adding interactive and real-time features, which I plan to explore further in future updates.
Based on the survey feedback, most users found it easy to navigate through the prototype, even though one page was incomplete, which was mentioned by a user in the survey. The survey questions were designed to focus on functionality and content to evaluate whether users understood the app’s purpose without explicitly explaining its concept beforehand. This approach allowed me to assess how intuitive and self-explanatory the app's features were. Overall, the responses indicated that users had a clear understanding of the app’s content and its intended purpose, which was a positive outcome.
One common suggestion from users was to add a feature that shows air quality levels. This feedback highlighted an interest in more real-time, environmental data that could be useful for the app’s target audience. Additionally, another user requested interactive features that could display how weather conditions, such as rain or snow, are affecting the local area. This shows an interest in a more dynamic experience where users can directly engage with the app's features based on their location and real-time updates.
Interestingly, there was no feedback that I found unexpected, and the responses generally aligned with what I had anticipated. This gave me confidence that the app’s functionality and content were well-aligned with user expectations. The feedback has been valuable in highlighting areas where the app can be improved, especially in terms of adding interactive and real-time features, which I plan to explore further in future updates.
Based on the survey feedback, most users found it easy to navigate through the prototype, even though one page was incomplete, which was mentioned by a user in the survey. The survey questions were designed to focus on functionality and content to evaluate whether users understood the app’s purpose without explicitly explaining its concept beforehand. This approach allowed me to assess how intuitive and self-explanatory the app's features were. Overall, the responses indicated that users had a clear understanding of the app’s content and its intended purpose, which was a positive outcome.
One common suggestion from users was to add a feature that shows air quality levels. This feedback highlighted an interest in more real-time, environmental data that could be useful for the app’s target audience. Additionally, another user requested interactive features that could display how weather conditions, such as rain or snow, are affecting the local area. This shows an interest in a more dynamic experience where users can directly engage with the app's features based on their location and real-time updates.
Interestingly, there was no feedback that I found unexpected, and the responses generally aligned with what I had anticipated. This gave me confidence that the app’s functionality and content were well-aligned with user expectations. The feedback has been valuable in highlighting areas where the app can be improved, especially in terms of adding interactive and real-time features, which I plan to explore further in future updates.
Learnings Along The Way
Learnings Along The Way
The learnings along the way through the process of creating my climate mobile app, I gained valuable insights into sustainability and user-centered design. Initially, I wanted to include a broad range of ideas, but I quickly realized that the app became too vague and overwhelming. Narrowing down the content helped me focus on the most important and impact sustainable practices, like reducing carbon footprints and promoting eco-friendly habits. This process taught me how to prioritize key information and create a more focused, user-friendly app that delivers actionable insights for a greener lifestyle.
The learnings along the way through the process of creating my climate mobile app, I gained valuable insights into sustainability and user-centered design. Initially, I wanted to include a broad range of ideas, but I quickly realized that the app became too vague and overwhelming. Narrowing down the content helped me focus on the most important and impact sustainable practices, like reducing carbon footprints and promoting eco-friendly habits. This process taught me how to prioritize key information and create a more focused, user-friendly app that delivers actionable insights for a greener lifestyle.
The learnings along the way through the process of creating my climate mobile app, I gained valuable insights into sustainability and user-centered design. Initially, I wanted to include a broad range of ideas, but I quickly realized that the app became too vague and overwhelming. Narrowing down the content helped me focus on the most important and impact sustainable practices, like reducing carbon footprints and promoting eco-friendly habits. This process taught me how to prioritize key information and create a more focused, user-friendly app that delivers actionable insights for a greener lifestyle.
Next Steps & Improvements
Next Steps & Improvements