An immersive augmented reality gardening experience, breathing new life in public green spaces.
Tools
Figma
Miro
Adobe Aero
Unity
Team
Angela Truong
Sophia Cruz
Adrian Ramos
My Role
UX/UI designer
User researcher
Usability Tester
Facilitator
Timeline
13 weeks
The Brief
The research addresses SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) 11 by exploring how local green spaces in Sydney can enhance inclusivity, social equity, and community engagement, highlighting their importance for well-being, especially post-COVID-19, in a multicultural urban setting.
The Problem Statement
How can we leverage green spaces to create interactions that foster personal fulfilment and nurture a sense of belonging within the space?
The Research
Our secondary and primary research findings — surveys, on-site ethnographies, and interviews — were analysed using revealed:
Green spaces serve as an escape, fostering play and recuperation.
People value tangible experiences within green spaces.
Green spaces promote personal fulfilment and positive self-connection.
Accessibility increases motivation to engage with green spaces.
Facilities enhance comfort and encourage greater interaction with green spaces.
Our Solution
The team developed ‘gARdens’, an augmented reality (AR) mobile application that aligns with SDG 11.7 by fostering safe, inclusive, and accessible green spaces using mixed reality experiences. Users nurture virtual plants by completing activities, while playful AR decals in parks encourage discovery and interaction. This shared virtual garden aims to promote community connection, belonging, and engagement through collective participation and thoughtful prompts.
