TerraTrek

Background: Original Design Prototype
TerraTrek is an Augmented Reality (AR) plant collecting game, where users scan different flowers found in Singapore, adding them to own personal AR terrarium. Users will also be able to trade plants with their fellow users, and complete daily tasks.

Preview TerraTrek PDF | Preview Figma Prototype

Goals:

1. Gamification:
   Encourage users to be physically active by completing tasks.
   Promote social activity by sharing tasks/events and gifting others.
   Enhance knowledge about plants in Singapore.
   Collect plants for the AR terrarium.
   
   

2. User-Generated Content:
   Use AR technology to allow users to take photos or screenshots of in-app features and share them on social media.
   Promote the use of the app to others, increasing awareness of plants and encouraging physical/social activity.
   
   

3. Centralized Database of Plants:
   Address the lack of a centralized plant database in Singapore.
   Create a user-friendly, interactive platform for learning about plants, their appearance, location, and interesting facts.

Challenges Faced:

1. Difficulty in balancing educational content with engaging gameplay.

2. Overwhelming features for new users without proper onboarding.

3. Incorporating social features that genuinely enhance the user experience.

Solutions:

1. User Engagement:
   Introduce gamification elements like tasks, rewards, and a terrarium to motivate continuous use.
   Use feedback from user testing to refine features and improve user experience.
   
   

2. Educational Content:
   Simplify and integrate plant information into an interactive database (PlantPedia) that is easily accessible.
   Make learning about plants fun through AR and gamification.
   
   

3. Social Features:
   Implement community-based tasks and terrarium sharing to foster social interaction.
   Encourage user-generated content and social sharing to build a community.

Outcome:

The iterative design process for TerraTrek resulted in a well-rounded AR experience that promotes physical activity, social interaction, and education about local flora. By focusing on user feedback, the team has refined the app's features and ensured that it is engaging and user-friendly.

Insights & Takeaways:

1. Features and Usability:
   Ensuring that new features enhance the core experience without overwhelming users is crucial.
   
   

2. Building a Community:
   Social features and community-based tasks can significantly enhance user engagement and retention.
   
   

3. Education and Entertainment:
   Successfully integrating educational content with engaging gameplay can enhance the overall user experience.