UX RESEARCH
UX RESEARCH
UX RESEARCH
END TO END
END TO END
END TO END
PRODUCT DESIGN
PRODUCT DESIGN
PRODUCT DESIGN
CropClan
A safe place to bloom
A safe place to bloom
A safe place to bloom
CropClan is a mobile platform that helps lonely young adults build meaningful relationships and emotional wellness through community gardening — while supporting gardens with the visibility, structure, and volunteer coordination they need to thrive.
CropClan is a mobile platform that helps lonely young adults build meaningful relationships and emotional wellness through community gardening — while supporting gardens with the visibility, structure, and volunteer coordination they need to thrive.
CropClan is a mobile platform that helps lonely young adults build meaningful relationships and emotional wellness through community gardening — while supporting gardens with the visibility, structure, and volunteer coordination they need to thrive.
ROLE
ROLE
ROLE
Product Designer
Product Designer
Product Designer
TEAM
TEAM
TEAM
UX Researcher
UX Designer
Project Manager
Illustrator
UXR UXD PM, Illustrator
UXR UXD PM, Illustrator
DURATION
DURATION
DURATION
10 Weeks
10 Weeks
10 Weeks
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
My Role
My Role
My Role
I contributed across the entire design process — from research to testing. I led the design of core user flows, aligned the team around a shared vision, and ensured we balanced user needs with garden realities.
Beyond design, I focused on bonding the team — encouraging open collaboration and keeping everyone connected throughout the project.
I contributed across the entire design process — from research to testing. I led the design of core user flows, aligned the team around a shared vision, and ensured we balanced user needs with garden realities.
Beyond design, I focused on bonding the team — encouraging open collaboration and keeping everyone connected throughout the project.
I contributed across the entire design process — from research to testing. I led the design of core user flows, aligned the team around a shared vision, and ensured we balanced user needs with garden realities.
Beyond design, I focused on bonding the team — encouraging open collaboration and keeping everyone connected throughout the project.
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
The Problem
The Problem
The Problem
We recognized a disconnect between young adults seeking community and gardens needing support.
We recognized a disconnect between young adults seeking community and gardens needing support.
We recognized a disconnect between young adults seeking community and gardens needing support.
Young Adults
Young adults moving to new cities often feel isolated and disconnected, especially when traditional third spaces are often expensive, crowded, or lack privacy. Busy lifestyles leave little time to build meaningful relationships. This affects mental health, work performance, and overall well-being.
Young Adults
Young adults moving to new cities often feel isolated and disconnected, especially when traditional third spaces are often expensive, crowded, or lack privacy. Busy lifestyles leave little time to build meaningful relationships. This affects mental health, work performance, and overall well-being.
Young Adults
Young adults moving to new cities often feel isolated and disconnected, especially when traditional third spaces are often expensive, crowded, or lack privacy. Busy lifestyles leave little time to build meaningful relationships. This affects mental health, work performance, and overall well-being.
Community Gardens
Many community gardens hope to attract younger participants but struggle to do so. These spaces often lack visibility and relevance among young adults. Without consistent engagement from the next generation, it becomes challenging to keep gardens active, organized, and thriving long-term.
Community Gardens
Many community gardens hope to attract younger participants but struggle to do so. These spaces often lack visibility and relevance among young adults. Without consistent engagement from the next generation, it becomes challenging to keep gardens active, organized, and thriving long-term.
Community Gardens
Many community gardens hope to attract younger participants but struggle to do so. These spaces often lack visibility and relevance among young adults. Without consistent engagement from the next generation, it becomes challenging to keep gardens active, organized, and thriving long-term.
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
Final Deliverables
Final Deliverables
Final Deliverables
Before designing features, I mapped how CropClan creates value for everyone involved — from young users to gardens and institutions. This ecosystem view grounded every decision in real relationships and impact.
Before designing features, I mapped how CropClan creates value for everyone involved — from young users to gardens and institutions. This ecosystem view grounded every decision in real relationships and impact.
Before designing features, I mapped how CropClan creates value for everyone involved — from young users to gardens and institutions. This ecosystem view grounded every decision in real relationships and impact.
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Research Plan
Research Plan
Research Plan
Developed a research framework to explore young adult loneliness, coping behaviors, and the potential of community gardens to provide social support.
Developed a research framework to explore young adult loneliness, coping behaviors, and the potential of community gardens to provide social support.
Developed a research framework to explore young adult loneliness, coping behaviors, and the potential of community gardens to provide social support.
Secondary Research
36 Articles
Secondary Research
36 Articles
Secondary Research
36 Articles
Field Studies
2 Gardens
Field Studies
2 Gardens
Field Studies
2 Gardens
Surveys
24 Responses
Surveys
24 Responses
Surveys
24 Responses
Interviews
8 participants
Interviews
8 participants
Interviews
8 participants
207
207
207
Data Points
Data Points
Data Points
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Surveys
Surveys
Surveys
A 5–10 minute anonymous survey used to explore loneliness, social needs, and perceptions of community gardens. It also served as a screener to recruit participants with moderate to high loneliness levels for interviews.
A 5–10 minute anonymous survey used to explore loneliness, social needs, and perceptions of community gardens. It also served as a screener to recruit participants with moderate to high loneliness levels for interviews.
A 5–10 minute anonymous survey used to explore loneliness, social needs, and perceptions of community gardens. It also served as a screener to recruit participants with moderate to high loneliness levels for interviews.
Based on 24 responses
BASED ON 24 RESPONSES
What’s Driving Loneliness?
What Drives Loneliness?
🧠 71% (17 of 24)
🧠 71% (17 of 24)
Stress from work/school
Stress from work/school
👥 50% (12 of 24)
👥 50% (12 of 24)
Lack of close social connections
Lack of close social connections
🚪 46% (11 of 24)
🚪 46% (11 of 24)
Limited oppurtunities to meet new people
Limited oppurtunities to meet new people
Based on 24 responses
What’s Driving Loneliness?
🧠 71% (17 of 24)
Stress from work/school
👥 50% (12 of 24)
Lack of close social connections
🚪 46% (11 of 24)
Limited oppurtunities to meet new people
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
Interviews
Interviews
Interviews
We conducted 8 semi-structured interviews to better understand the emotional needs of young adults and the challenges faced by community garden organizers.These interviews informed both our feature priorities and emotional design strategy.
We conducted 8 semi-structured interviews to better understand the emotional needs of young adults and the challenges faced by community garden organizers.These interviews informed both our feature priorities and emotional design strategy.
We conducted 8 semi-structured interviews to better understand the emotional needs of young adults and the challenges faced by community garden organizers.These interviews informed both our feature priorities and emotional design strategy.
8 Interviews
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
What We Learned
What We Learned
Through 8 interviews and 24 survey responses,
Through 8 interviews and 24 survey responses,
Through 8 interviews and 24 survey responses,
🛡️ Multiple Barriers Exist
🛡️ Multiple Barriers Exist
🛡️ Multiple Barriers Exist
Distance, time, and feeling unwelcome keep people from joining
Distance, time, and feeling unwelcome keep people from joining
Distance, time, and feeling unwelcome keep people from joining
💧 People Want Connection
💧 People Want Connection
💧 People Want Connection
Young adults prefer casual, peer-to-peer activities over formal programs
Young adults prefer casual, peer-to-peer activities over formal programs
Young adults prefer low-pressure, peer based activities for meaningful interaction
🌟 Start Small
🌟 Start Small
🌟 Start Small
Personal growth happens through gentle, encouraging first steps
Personal growth happens through gentle, encouraging first steps
Personal growth happens through gentle, encouraging first steps
Community Gardens Do More Than Gardening
Community Gardens Do More Than Gardening
Community Gardens Do More Than Gardening
They're spaces for art, education, and community building
They're spaces for art, education, and community building
They're spaces for art, education, and community building
🧱 Volunteers Don't Stay Long
🧱 Volunteers Don't Stay Long
🧱 Volunteers Don't Stay Long
Most help once then leave. Clear roles and visible progress keep people engaged
Most help once then leave. Clear roles and visible progress keep people engaged
Most help once then leave. Clear roles and visible progress keep people engaged
Visibility Is a Constant Struggle
Visibility Is a Constant Struggle
👁️ Hard to Find
Gardens struggle with visibility and lack digital tools to reach new people
Gardens struggle with visibility and lack digital tools to reach new people
Gardens struggle with visibility and lack digital tools to reach new people
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
RESEARCH
User Journey
User Journey
User Journey
Potata Weekend gateway
Potata Weekend gateway
Potata Weekend gateway
Current journey map
Current journey map
Potata feels isolated in a new city, unsure how to connect. She stays home, missing out on opportunities.
Potata feels isolated in a new city, unsure how to connect. She stays home, missing out on opportunities.
To-be journey map
To-be journey map
With guidance and social support, Potata joins a garden, builds confidence, and forms meaningful connections.
With guidance and social support, Potata joins a garden, builds confidence, and forms meaningful connections.
DESIGN
DESIGN
DESIGN
Lo-fi Wireframes Explorations
Lo-fi Wireframes Explorations
Lo-fi Wireframes Explorations
Branding helps unify design decisions—from colors to copy—so users feel clarity, care, and cohesion at every step.
Branding helps unify design decisions—from colors to copy—so users feel clarity, care, and cohesion at every step.
Branding helps unify design decisions—from colors to copy—so users feel clarity, care, and cohesion at every step.
Sketching early concepts during Crazy 8s
Sketching early concepts during Crazy 8s
Each member explored different onboarding flows and interactions
Each member explored different onboarding flows and interactions
Each member explored different onboarding flows and interactions
DESIGN
DESIGN
DESIGN
Usability Testing
Usability Testing
Usability Testing
We tested with real users—both young adults and garden organizers—to ensure the app felt clear, encouraging, and community-driven.
We tested with real users—both young adults and garden organizers—to ensure the app felt clear, encouraging, and community-driven.
We tested with real users—both young adults and garden organizers—to ensure the app felt clear, encouraging, and community-driven.
Round 1: Mid-Fidelity Usability Testing
Round 1: Mid-Fidelity Usability Testing
Round 1: Mid-Fidelity Usability Testing
👥 7 Participants (Young Adults)
👥 7 Participants (Young Adults)
👥 7 Participants (Young Adults)
🧪 Testing Method
Scenario-based tasks (e.g. onboarding, volunteering, journaling)
Scenario-based tasks (e.g. onboarding, volunteering, journaling)
Scenario-based tasks (e.g. onboarding, volunteering, journaling)
Think-aloud sessions + feedback survey
Think-aloud sessions + feedback survey
Think-aloud sessions + feedback survey
📊 Insights
Navigation issues and unclear visual hierarchy
Navigation issues and unclear visual hierarchy
Navigation issues and unclear visual hierarchy
Emotional score: 3.0 → 4.3
Emotional score: 3.0 → 4.3
Emotional score: 3.0 → 4.3
SUS: 65
SUS: 65
NPS: –14
NPS: –14
👥 Participant Criteria
Screened using the UCLA Loneliness Scale (score ≥ 40)
Screened using the UCLA Loneliness Scale (score ≥ 40)
Screened using the UCLA Loneliness Scale (score ≥ 40)
Targeting young adults with moderate to high loneliness
Targeting young adults with moderate to high loneliness
Targeting young adults with moderate to high loneliness
Round 2: Hi-Fidelity Validation
Round 2: Hi-Fidelity Validation
Round 2: Hi-Fidelity Validation
🧑🌾 3 Participants (Garden Managers)
🧑🌾 3 Participants (Garden Managers)
🧑🌾 3 Participants (Garden Managers)
👥 Participant Criteria
3 community garden managers
3 community garden managers
3 community garden managers
1 online interview (Atlanta), 2 in-person (Savannah)
1 online interview (Atlanta), 2 in-person (Savannah)
1 online interview (Atlanta), 2 in-person (Savannah)
🧪 Testing Method
Conducted semi-structured interviews
Conducted semi-structured interviews
Conducted semi-structured interviews
Walked them through the high-fidelity prototype (no hands-on use)
Walked them through the high fidelity prototype
Walked them through the high fidelity prototype
📊 insights
Confirmed value in:
– Improving visibility
– Explaining garden purpose
– Supporting volunteer coordination
Confirmed value in: Improving visibility, Explaining garden purpose, Supporting volunteer coordination
Confirmed value in: Improving visibility, Explaining garden purpose, Supporting volunteer coordination
DESIGN
DESIGN
DESIGN
Key Iterations after testing
Key Iterations after testing
Key Iterations after testing
A solution combining public injection spaces with a navigation app for diabetes-friendly care
A solution combining public injection spaces with a navigation app for diabetes-friendly care
A solution combining public injection spaces with a navigation app for diabetes-friendly care
BRANDING
BRANDING
BRANDING
Our Brand Personality
Our Brand Personality
Our Brand Personality
Branding helps unify design decisions—from colors to copy—so users feel clarity, care, and cohesion at every step.
Branding helps unify design decisions—from colors to copy—so users feel clarity, care, and cohesion at every step.
Branding helps unify design decisions—from colors to copy—so users feel clarity, care, and cohesion at every step.
Our personality brand
is whimsical and buzzing , cozy and nurturing
Our personality brand
is whimsical and buzzing , cozy and nurturing
Our personality brand
is whimsical and buzzing , cozy and nurturing
Follow this we create our brand voice diagram to follow through the design
Follow this we create our brand voice diagram to follow through the design
Follow this we create our brand voice diagram to follow through the design
BRANDING
BRANDING
Design system
Design system
Design system
To bring CropClan’s identity to life, I crafted a warm, accessible design language — from mood illustrations to reusable UI patterns. This system ensures consistency while expressing the heart of the product.
To bring CropClan’s identity to life, I crafted a warm, accessible design language — from mood illustrations to reusable UI patterns. This system ensures consistency while expressing the heart of the product.
To bring CropClan’s identity to life, I crafted a warm, accessible design language — from mood illustrations to reusable UI patterns. This system ensures consistency while expressing the heart of the product.
IMPACT
IMPACT
Value exchange model
Value exchange model
Value exchange model
Before designing features, I mapped how CropClan creates value for everyone involved — from young users to gardens and institutions. This ecosystem view grounded every decision in real relationships and impact.
Before designing features, I mapped how CropClan creates value for everyone involved — from young users to gardens and institutions. This ecosystem view grounded every decision in real relationships and impact.
Before designing features, I mapped how CropClan creates value for everyone involved — from young users to gardens and institutions. This ecosystem view grounded every decision in real relationships and impact.
Takeaways
TAKEAWAYS
Clarifying Vision Through Product Thinking
Clarifying Vision Through Product Thinking
As a product designer, one of my biggest challenges was navigating the abundance of ideas we had at the start. From emotional goals to community needs to institutional partnerships, everything felt important — and it was.
But to move forward, I had to help the team define structure, prioritize value, and shape a clear product hierarchy.
This project sharpened my ability to turn ambiguity into clarity — aligning diverse inputs into a focused, actionable vision that served both users and the broader ecosystem.
As a product designer, one of my biggest challenges was navigating the abundance of ideas we had at the start. From emotional goals to community needs to institutional partnerships, everything felt important — and it was.
But to move forward, I had to help the team define structure, prioritize value, and shape a clear product hierarchy.
This project sharpened my ability to turn ambiguity into clarity — aligning diverse inputs into a focused, actionable vision that served both users and the broader ecosystem.
As a product designer, one of my biggest challenges was navigating the abundance of ideas we had at the start. From emotional goals to community needs to institutional partnerships, everything felt important — and it was.
But to move forward, I had to help the team define structure, prioritize value, and shape a clear product hierarchy.
This project sharpened my ability to turn ambiguity into clarity — aligning diverse inputs into a focused, actionable vision that served both users and the broader ecosystem.
Other Projects
Other Projects
Want to see more of my work around sustainability, community, and real-world impact?
Want to see more of my work around sustainability, community, and real-world impact?
Want to see more of my work around sustainability, community, and real-world impact?
Chelsea Philips
A warm brand for a local housing estate.
2025
Branding
Housing Estate
Coming Soon
Chelsea Philips
A warm brand for a local housing estate.
2025
Branding
Housing Estate
Coming Soon
Let’s build better futures
Let’s build better futures
I’m open to freelance, collaboration, and coffee chats.
I’m open to freelance, collaboration, and coffee chats.
@kasachan Portfolio Kasachan33315gmail.com
@kasachan Portfolio
Kasachan33315gmail.com