Defining the Problem

I wanted to develop something meaningful that is targeted towards Torontonians. I started by looking into the main causes of stress for individuals living in urban areas.

Common trends I found that contribute to stress are:

• An unhealthy work-life balance

• Being forced to play into hustle culture

• Overstimulation from living in a busy and congested environment

Research

Through proven research, it is known that engaging in nature experiences can help people alleviate stress, but with little nature in urban areas, people experiencing the urban lifestyle are also less likely to engage with nature on a frequent basis. However, there are some habits that can be created to still obtain an individual connection with nature.

Japanese Tree Therapy

Japanese Tree Therapy (Shinrin-Yoku), also known as forest bathing, is a traditional Japanese practice of immersing oneself in nature in order to reap the healing benefits that come from being in nature and also as a means of preventative health care (Hanson et. al). The theoretical framework that drives my work is based on the impacts that hustle culture causes in relation to stress and how the practice and benefits of Japanese Tree therapy can be used as a way to treat stress. Focusing my research in these areas explores the problem of major catalysts for stress while Japanese Tree therapy is something that can benefit this user population and also act as a means of self-care.

Ideation

I began sketching my concept. I originally wanted to develop a Web app but as this is a solo project and I have limited coding skills I decided it would be best to develop the final project in a responsive web format. I designed the concept in mobile layout since this is something that I see users using on the go.

Trail Walk-though Testing

I created three city trails that run from Southern Etobicoke to East York. The trails are Cabbagetown Neighbourhood, The Humber Bay Park and Trinity Bellwoods, and Trillium Park. I researched each area, mapped the trail, then tested the trail along with a second person, in order to gain feedback. For each trail, I brought a new individual along in order to keep the feedback new and unbiased.

Journey Mapping

Based on my findings and feedback from the first trail walkthrough, I made some adjustments to my wireframes along with the user journey/navigation for the UI design.

Wireframes

Using XD I created multiple iterations of wireframes. These ones below were the final ones that I used for prototyping and testing the user experience.

Brand Identity

I created a simple style guide/brand identity. This was helpful in preparation for developing my mockups.

First Iteration Mockups - November 2019

I continued to refine and finalize my mockups using XD. These mockups were then prototyped again using InVision.

 Defining the User

With a refined concept, I focused on narrowing down the user population. By creating user personas, I was able to define different user goals and barriers. By identifying these needs, I was able to better understand how various users would interact with Retreet. 

Storyboarding the User Journey

I created two storyboards on the user journey based on the two above personas. The storyboards give a better understanding of the individual user experience. The user is able to either follow the trail as a step-by-step guide or they are free to explore the areas on their own terms.