Tomer Miara Design

Biophobia is the transition from lack of experience with nature, into fear and neglection of it. It is especially relevant now, as we are fighting climate change. Moreover, connectedness to nature benefits our well-being and mental health and it is especially important while society is at its lowest.

solution

Outdoor activity guided by a physical book with maps for the kids accompanied with a compatible app for the parents

The book contains a story that takes the kid into a journey as an adventurer. It offers information about the environment, and map navigation activities of nearby urban parks. The app provides the parents all the necessary information about the activity, the area it takes place at, and a fitness tracker.

app walkthrough (with audio)

The goal of the activity is to find objectives scattered around urban natural parks in their area, with a book full of maps, stories and information regarding their adventures. While the kids follow the maps and stories, the parents can plan ahead, gain information and have control over the activity through the accompanied app. The app is also synced to their favourite health app to encourage physical activity.

“Kids that play outside end up loving nature as adults and want to take care of the environment”

research

Connectedness to nature has shown mental health and mood improvement in 73% of people, and stress decrease in 49%

‘Connectedness’ is our individual way to feel emotionally connected to the natural world. It goes beyond simply having contact with nature, this concept encompasses how we feel, think and experience our relationship with the natural environment.

“I love playing outside and explore but my parents dont let me go wherever I want”

School boy Ahri

9 years old | 4th grade | NYC

goals

Have Fun - Game and Role-play

Be Creative - Invent, Build, Create

Explore - Freedom and Independency

frustrations

Parents are very controlling

Friends are not always available

The outdoors are not accessible

Ahri loves nature and playing outside, but he is scared of animals such as snakes and bears and finds insects disgusting. He also loves his Ipad and spends long time playing competitive games such as Roblox or Minecraft.

Kids like Ahri spend 7.5 hours a day infornt of their screens, and only 10% of kids spend some time outdoors

In a research kids of the age 5 were shown images of nature. The emotional response of 45% of the kids was happiness, while 25% of the kids felt fear. It shows that the disconnect form nature accrues while they grow up through the lack of experience and interaction with it.

“I love nature but it feels unfamiliar after so many years in the city”

Urban Mom Jess

41 years old | Writer | NYC

goals

Family - More Time with the Kids

Be Active - Keep the Health up

Confidence - Be prepared and plan

frustrations

Doesn't find activities she enjoy

The kids want to play video games

Too many sources of information

Jess was born and raised in NYC. While she enjoys the outdoors, she feels uncomfortable being out as she doesn't have much experience with it. When something is regarding her children she becomes very protective

70% of the world population will live in urban areas by 2050, it is not surprising that our disconnection to nature is worsening

As people remove themselves from nature and increasingly become estranged from plants, animals and all types of wild and natural environment, they lose familiarity with it and often become afraid. In the face of urbanization and over-protection of children, many are now growing up biophobic.

Technology

Urbanization

Decrease exposure to nature

Lower connectedness

to nature

Lower connectedness

to nature

Rise in Biophobia

Less familiarity and

experience

Less familiarity and

experience

Rise in anxiety, depression

and low well being

Rise in anxiety, depression

and low well being

insights

01. Shared outdoors activity

An activity that benefits both the parents and their kids will make them encourage each other to take part in it. Moreover, spending time together is already a great achievement.

02. Sense of freedom and leadership for the kids

Children love when they feel in control, especially over adults. A product that will make them think they are on the lead will encourage them to use it.

03. Information and full control for the parents

Parents need to have control and know everything when it regards their children. They will more likely use a product that will provide them with all the necessary information, and help them plan ahead so they can go out free of worries.

concept testing

First impression testing with fellow students and friends to receive early insights before user testing

I conducted quick testing to get some comments regarding the bones of the app. I gained new ideas for features and realised how to communicate information and clearer interactions.

Added health app button on main page instead of settings.

Access to the maps without using the kid’s book, and with less hustle.

Scroll up feature was changed with a button for clearer interaction.

“Suddenly the whole design changes and I feel downgraded”

Itai Avraham, Visually Impaired Parent

usability testing

Things that were obvious to me, weren’t obvious to potential users during the usability tests

I conducted moderated and unmoderated testing with actual potential users to get as much feedback as possible. The most enlightening comment was from a visually impaired parent who made me realise how differently he perceives products visuals and how it effects him.

Before

Extra step for returning users

Make the app accessible from the start

Log-in right away

After

It is not clear what is the main feature of the app

Users already learned about the app, too crowded

Layout is spread, and the activity is big in the center

Common placing of menu and settings

No control and connection is not clear

Button to give control and make sense of it

Extra step for returning users

Make the app accessible from the start

Log-in right away

Before

After

It is not clear what is the main feature of the app

Users already learned about the app, too crowded

Layout is spread, and the activity is big in the center

Common placing of menu and settings

Users already learned about the app, too crowded

Common placing of menu and settings

No control and connection is not clear

No control and the connection is not clear

Button to give control and make sense of it

final product - app

The app provides the parents with the necessary information to feel in full control, and encourage them to stay active

01. Find the perfect day

Look at the weather broadcast and get app recommendations.

02. Get the information you need

Read guides about to know you are prepared and ready to go.

03. Stay Active

Keep track of your health by syncing your health app of choice to Journey Through Nature activity progress.

01. Find the perfect day

Look at the weather broadcast and get app recommendations.

02. Get the information you need

Read guides about to know you are prepared and ready to go.

03. Stay Active

Keep track of your health by syncing your health app of choice to Journey Through Nature activity progress.

Plan the activity ahead, and control every step of the way while exploring the natural parks around the city with your child

Every map in the book is accessible with the app, filled with all the information about the facilities in the park, and about the activity including each objectives.

START ACTIVITY

Choose the relevant book and park

Learn about the activity

Find the facilities around the park

View the recommended trail

Help your child find the objectives

START ACTIVITY

Choose the relevant book and park

Learn about the activity

Find the facilities around the park

View the recommended trail

Help your child find the objectives

final product - book

Kids get the role of an explorer in a journey through the parks of NYC, looking for the ancient symbols

An old explorer spirit got stuck in this box after failing to find the ancient symbols of new york, and the task is passed to the kid who hopefully could find them all and release their spirit from the book. The story of each book is written on the first page and let them emerge into a role right at the beginning.

The book provides all the necessary tools for the child to wonder in nature freely while feeling in the lead

They learn how to read a map, navigate with a compass and build their own routes. The book also provide them with information about the local wildlife, and the equipment they should bring with them when venturing to the outdoors.

Each park has a map and a story with hints, that will help the child find the objectives through out their adventure

The books acts like a diary left by the explorer with stories about his adventures filled with hints and riddles that might help the child find the lost ancient symbols. Each story is accompanied by a map of the park, that the child can use to plan their route.

The child can collect pictures and souvenirs they find during their exploration and log it in the book as a collection

In the book accompanied to every park, or adventure, there are empty pages with slots to add pictures and findings like rocks, leaves and flowers the child can keep. Later like a collectors book children can share what they have found and compete while encouraging others to play.

key takeaways

User Testing - Certain user groups are hard to find such as kids. It is important to plan ahead and start connecting with potential participants early.

Assumptions - People don't behave the way you expected them to. Observing behaviours in open mind is crucial.

Accessibility - Empathy and experience are not enough to truly understand the feelings and needs of someone who lives a situation you are not. The interviews were enlightening.

Cultural Differences - Understanding my users was more than age and gender, but the environmental cultural was prominent.

Next Project

CONTACT ME

Made by Tomer Miara | 2024