Rest Quest
Rest Quest
Promoting connection with nature through the gamification of experiencing one’s local environment
Promoting connection with nature through the gamification of experiencing one’s environment
Promoting connection with nature through the gamification of experiencing one’s local environment
Timeline
Timeline
July-August 2022
July-August 2022
July-August 2022
Team
Team
Myself and one other UI/UX Designer
Myself and one other UI/UX Designer
Myself and one other UI/UX Designer
Skills
Skills
User Research
UI/UX Design
User Testing
User Research
UI/UX Design
User Testing
User Research
UI/UX Design
User Testing
Deliverables
Deliverables
1 hi-fi Figma Prototype
1 hi-fi Figma Prototype
1 hi-fi Figma Prototype
Overview
Overview
Rest Quest is a mobile app that utilizes gamification and nostalgia to encourage people to go outside and learn about their local environment.
Rest Quest is a mobile app that utilizes gamification and nostalgia to encourage people to go outside and learn about their local environment.
This was a final project for my UI/UX class at Dartmouth College. I conducted 6 user interviews and analysis before ideating and wireframing features based on user insights.
This was a final project for my UI/UX class at Dartmouth College. I conducted 6 user interviews and analysis before ideating and wireframing features based on user insights.
Multiple iterations of UI were developed to push for a nostalgic, hand-drawn aesthetic based on user feedback.
Multiple iterations of UI were developed to push for a nostalgic, hand-drawn aesthetic based on user feedback.
Background
Background
Spending time in nature has been found to help with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Many college students spend little time outdoors, even knowing the proven mental health benefits.
Spending time in nature has been found to help with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Many college students spend little time outdoors, even knowing the proven mental health benefits.
Problem
Problem
Even though they would like to get outside more often, college students often feel like they are too busy with work to spend time outdoors. Spending time outdoors often feels like another chore to add to a list of tasks, and is seen as low priority compared to academics.
Even though they would like to get outside more often, college students often feel like they are too busy with work to spend time outdoors. Spending time outdoors often feels like another chore to add to a list of tasks, and is seen as low priority compared to academics.
Based on user interviews and background research, we came up with two How Might We questions:
Based on user interviews and background research, we came up with two How Might We questions:
How might we encourage college students to prioritize going outside in their busy schedules?
How might we encourage college students to prioritize going outside in their busy schedules?
How might we incentivize learning about the local environment?
How might we incentivize learning about the local environment?
Solution
Solution
Rest Quest: gamifying the experience of going out into nature to promote frequent interactions with the outdoors and improve mental health.
Rest Quest: gamifying the experience of going out into nature to promote frequent interactions with the outdoors and improve mental health.
After prototyping and testing 4 different card upgrade concepts, I synthesized testing data and previous research to make design recommendations and define a future direction for further iterations to hone in on the ideal upgrades interface.
After prototyping and testing 4 different card upgrade concepts, I synthesized testing data and previous research to make design recommendations and define a future direction for further iterations to hone in on the ideal upgrades interface.
For confidentiality reasons I am unable to share my work, but I have outlined my process below, and please contact me if you would like to know more!
For confidentiality reasons I am unable to share my work, but I have outlined my process below, and please contact me if you would like to know more!
Reframe
Reframe
The app uses the game I Spy to encourage college students to reframe spending time outdoors as a quick activity that can easily be completed without sacrificing time spent on work. Additionally, the game encourages users to look closely at their natural surroundings in order to increase their perspective and think beyond schoolwork.
The app uses the game I Spy to encourage college students to reframe spending time outdoors as a quick activity that can easily be completed without sacrificing time spent on work.
Daily Task
Daily Task
The I Spy game must be completed daily in order for users to water and grow their digital bonsai tree, encouraging users to return to the app and interact with nature on a frequent basis.
The I Spy game must be completed daily in order for users to water and grow their digital bonsai tree, encouraging users to return to the app and interact with nature on a frequent basis.
Day 8
Day 8
Retention
Retention
Retention
Completing the I Spy game gives the user information about natural species in their area, which can then be logged in a scrapbook for them to look back on. Additionally, a map feature showing where the user has identified the items in their scrapbook encourages retention about their surroundings.
Completing the I Spy game gives the user information about natural species in their area, which can then be logged in a scrapbook for them to look back on. Additionally, a map feature showing where the user has identified the items in their scrapbook encourages retention about their surroundings.
Completing the I Spy game gives the user information about natural species in their area, which can then be logged with their location in a scrapbook to look back on.
Features
Features
Quick, daily 10-15 minute I Spy game
Maps to track travels and species found
Unlock stickers to track progress
Ability to log information in scrapbook for memory and learning
Maintain a bonsai to encourage returning to app
Discover species in local environment
Quick, daily 10-15 minute I Spy game
Maps to track travels and species found
Unlock stickers to track progress
Ability to log information in scrapbook for memory and learning
Maintain a bonsai to encourage returning to app
Discover species in local environment
Moving Forward
Moving Forward
After testing our four prototypes, I synthesized our data and made some recommendations for what path to pursue for this project in the future. I outlined design features and goals that could be iterated over or explored in order to further improve the customer experience.
After testing our four prototypes, I synthesized our data and made some recommendations for what path to pursue for this project in the future. I outlined design features and goals that could be iterated over or explored in order to further improve the customer experience.
Research and Insights
Research and Insights
User Interviews
User Interviews
I conducted 6 out of 11 user interviews in total, all of which came from varying levels of involvement with nature and varying levels of knowledge about nature. After initial questions asking them about their level of involvement with nature, their positive and negative experiences in nature, and any barriers preventing them from spending more time outdoors, we came upon a few key insights:
I conducted 6 out of 11 user interviews in total, all of which came from varying levels of involvement with nature and varying levels of knowledge about nature. After initial questions asking them about their level of involvement with nature, their positive and negative experiences in nature, and any barriers preventing them from spending more time outdoors, we came upon a few key insights:
The main barrier preventing students from spending more time in nature is a lack of time.
The main barrier preventing students from spending more time in nature is a lack of time.
From one student:
"If I'm limited on time nature is one of the first things that gets pushed out."
Students prioritize studying and academics over most other activities, and although most of them admit that spending time in nature makes them feel better, it is still not as important as getting their schoolwork done and being prepared for their classes
Students prioritize studying and academics over most other activities, and although most of them admit that spending time in nature makes them feel better, it is still not as important as getting their schoolwork done and being prepared for their classes
While many students wish they knew more about the nature around them, they don’t know where to start learning.
While many students wish they knew more about the nature around them, they don’t know where to start learning.
A few students talked about recognizing the importance of sustainability and understanding the natural environment around where they lived, but not knowing where to begin learning about the nature around them. Additionally, as busy college students, they felt they didn’t have the time to invest in looking for ways to get more involved and learn about nature.
A few students talked about recognizing the importance of sustainability and understanding the natural environment around where they lived, but not knowing where to begin learning about the nature around them. Additionally, as busy college students, they felt they didn’t have the time to invest in looking for ways to get more involved and learn about nature.
For many students, connecting with nature means taking in their surroundings and appreciating the world around them.
For many students, connecting with nature means taking in their surroundings and appreciating the world around them.
One student said:
"Connecting with nature is looking at the stuff you won't really notice or take for granted."
To most students we interviewed, simply being physically outdoors was not enough. Truly connecting with nature meant taking the time to experience the natural world with all their senses. In doing that, several students said that connecting with nature helped them gain more perspective on their own life and think beyond academics.
To most students we interviewed, simply being physically outdoors was not enough. Truly connecting with nature meant taking the time to experience the natural world with all their senses. In doing that, several students said that connecting with nature helped them gain more perspective on their own life and think beyond academics.
Students who were most involved with nature had formed a strong connection with nature based on tradition and childhood memories.
Students who were most involved with nature had formed a strong connection with nature based on tradition and childhood memories.
All of the students we interviewed who stated that they were heavily involved with nature connected their current involvement with positive experiences with nature in their past, whether that was family camping trips, hiking or visiting national parks as a child, or growing up in a rural area. Nostalgia and past memories seemed to be a strong factor in increasing one’s involvement with the natural world.
All of the students we interviewed who stated that they were heavily involved with nature connected their current involvement with positive experiences with nature in their past, whether that was family camping trips, hiking or visiting national parks as a child, or growing up in a rural area. Nostalgia and past memories seemed to be a strong factor in increasing one’s involvement with the natural world.
Ideation
Ideation
Keeping in mind our user’s needs, and with the goal of creating a digital application to help them connect with nature, we did a couple rounds of Crazy 8’s (with the images on the right being mine).
Keeping in mind our user’s needs, and with the goal of creating a digital application to help them connect with nature, we did a couple rounds of Crazy 8’s (with the images on the right being mine).
I liked the idea of centering the app around the game of I Spy, for the quickness with which it can be played and its role as a game many people played in their childhood, tapping into a sense of nostalgia that could be used to encourage positive experiences with nature. We therefore decided to make I Spy the main feature of our app.
After sharing our ideas, I liked the idea of centering the app around the game of I Spy, for the quickness with which it can be played and its role as a game many people played in their childhood, tapping into a sense of nostalgia that could be used to encourage positive experiences with nature. We therefore decided to make I Spy the main feature of our app.
After gathering user interviews, creating empathy maps, and synthesizing insights, we created our user persona:
After gathering user interviews, creating empathy maps, and synthesizing insights, we created our user persona:
A busy college student who would like to go outside more often, but believes they have to give up time outdoors in order to prioritize studying.
A busy college student who would like to go outside more often, but believes they have to give up time outdoors in order to prioritize studying.
Grayscales
Grayscales
First, we created grayscale mockups of the gameplay for our I Spy feature. I worked through the user flow from the game’s homepage to each screen that was part of the I Spy gameplay. After some iteration, the I Spy gameplay I decided on brought the user to a camera and encouraged them to take a picture of their surroundings. Then, the app would identify some natural species in the photo taken and simulate an I Spy game based on its features. The user would then take an up-close picture of the object, the program would verify their answer, and then provide them with information and a reward. I also iterated over a scrapbook feature in our app, which would allow users to save the pictures and information they had gained for memory and retention.
First, we created grayscale mockups of the gameplay for our I Spy feature. I worked through the user flow from the game’s homepage to each screen that was part of the I Spy gameplay. After some iteration, the I Spy gameplay I decided on brought the user to a camera and encouraged them to take a picture of their surroundings. Then, the app would identify some natural species in the photo taken and simulate an I Spy game based on its features. The user would then take an up-close picture of the object, the program would verify their answer, and then provide them with information and a reward. I also iterated over a scrapbook feature in our app, which would allow users to save the pictures and information they had gained for memory and retention.
Iterations and User Testing
Iterations and User Testing
I proposed that we create an in-game incentive for users to return, so the app didn’t totally rely on their personal goals to go outside more often, as that could easily change. Therefore, we decided to make the objective of the game to complete an I Spy every day in order to water and fertilize a personal bonsai tree. Completing the I Spy game would earn the user a sticker and water the tree and keep it alive, while customizing their scrapbook with the stickers provided would fertilize the tree and grow it.
I proposed that we create an in-game incentive for users to return, so the app didn’t totally rely on their personal goals to go outside more often, as that could easily change. Therefore, we decided to make the objective of the game to complete an I Spy every day in order to water and fertilize a personal bonsai tree. Completing the I Spy game would earn the user a sticker and water the tree and keep it alive, while customizing their scrapbook with the stickers provided would fertilize the tree and grow it.
However, after 6 user tests on Usertesting.com, we found that many users found the fertilization feature confusing. Having two potential ways to level up simply didn’t make sense; additionally, it was hard to communicate visually. It distracted from our purpose of focusing on outdoors since it was an extraneous add-on to encourage users to spend more time on the app. Therefore, we removed this element.
However, after 6 user tests on Usertesting.com, we found that many users found the fertilization feature confusing. Having two potential ways to level up simply didn’t make sense; additionally, it was hard to communicate visually. It distracted from our purpose of focusing on outdoors since it was an extraneous add-on to encourage users to spend more time on the app. Therefore, we removed this element.
Another feature that was removed was the customization feature. Rather than encouraging users to return to the notes of their found species, the feature confused them. Too many features were against our purpose of less screen time to spend more time outdoors.
Another feature that was removed was the customization feature. Rather than encouraging users to return to the notes of their found species, the feature confused them. Too many features were against our purpose of less screen time to spend more time outdoors.
For the UI styles we tried, we started off trying for a hand-drawn, kitschy aesthetic to further invoke nostalgia. However, users thought it was ugly. It failed accessibility standards and had too many distracting elements. As a result, I tried a monochromatic color palette, finding it more accessible and more visually pleasing, but retained the hand-drawn aesthetic by drawing small monochromatic details.
For the UI styles we tried, we started off trying for a hand-drawn, kitschy aesthetic to further invoke nostalgia. However, users thought it was ugly. It failed accessibility standards and had too many distracting elements. As a result, I tried a monochromatic color palette, finding it more accessible and more visually pleasing, but retained the hand-drawn aesthetic by drawing small monochromatic details.
Moving Forward
Moving Forward
The goal of Rest Quest was to encourage busy students to spend more time outdoors by reframing the action of going outdoors as a fun, quick way to take a break from academics and gamifying the activity to promote more frequent interactions with the outdoors.
The goal of Rest Quest was to encourage busy students to spend more time outdoors by reframing the action of going outdoors as a fun, quick way to take a break from academics and gamifying the activity to promote more frequent interactions with the outdoors.
With this project, we learned to quickly research, ideate, and prototype under a strict deadline of 3 weeks. Our ability to rapidly ideate and refine our ideas to fit the needs of our user helped us create a holistic final product.
With this project, we learned to quickly research, ideate, and prototype under a strict deadline of 3 weeks. Our ability to rapidly ideate and refine our ideas to fit the needs of our user helped us create a holistic final product.
Moving forward, Rest Quest would hopefully be expanded to accommodate the needs of people who live in cities, or places where they wouldn’t have daily access to nature in their surroundings. Additionally, although we removed the customization feature of our scrapbook to simplify the UX and make gameplay more straightforward, we could rework customization or brainstorm other ideas to further encourage memory and retention of the natural species users find. Lastly, we would simplify UX even further to decrease the number of clicks and time users would spend looking at our screens, and instead encourage them to spend more time looking into their natural environment.
Moving forward, Rest Quest would hopefully be expanded to accommodate the needs of people who live in cities, or places where they wouldn’t have daily access to nature in their surroundings. Additionally, although we removed the customization feature of our scrapbook to simplify the UX and make gameplay more straightforward, we could rework customization or brainstorm other ideas to further encourage memory and retention of the natural species users find. Lastly, we would simplify UX even further to decrease the number of clicks and time users would spend looking at our screens, and instead encourage them to spend more time looking into their natural environment.
Contact me: hannalhong@gmail.com
Contact me: hannalhong@gmail.com
Contact me: hannalhong@gmail.com