A reference guide for essential oils, inspired by self-care.
the company
The goal of essence is to promote self-care and provide education about essential oils
my role
I was the sole designer on the project and responsible for user research, design and prototyping. I collaborated with our software engineer to create the app.
deliverables
Research findings
Personas
High-fidelity mockups
Interactive prototype
Figma Prototype
Early Iteration
Essential oils have been around for centuries, but they haven’t always been this popular.
With increasing awareness of the harmful side effects of pharmaceutical drugs, people are willing to try using an essential oil for their symptoms.
As people hear more about the benefits of essential oils, they struggle to find a trustworthy, science-backed source of information.
People are overwhelmed by the vast quantity of information, and they are skeptical of the quality of information.
Problem 1
How can we reduce the feeling of a user being overwhelmed by information?
If we avoid paragraphs of text, and use visual elements to highlight important information, users will be able to quickly identify the answers they are looking for.
Problem 2
How can we prevent users from being skeptical of essential oils?
If we use scientific imagery, language and typography, we can convey trustworthiness and reliability.
Problem 3
How can we share information in a way that is useful to users?
If we frame information based on how people typically use essential oils, users will be able to understand the properties of essential oils.
User research survey
Participants
We interviewed 22 participants who had used essential oils in the past.
Survey
Participants filled out an online survey that asked questions about their opinions and behaviors around essential oils
Goal
Determine the critical information to show to users for the MVP
Method
Ask participants to rank the importance of topics on essential oils
Findings
Structuring information hierarchy
Fragrance > Everything
People really care about the fragrance of an oil, even if they are using it for a medicinal benefits.
Mood > Medicine
Users may be more interested in mood benefits than medicinal benefits.
Goal
Determine how participants use essential oils most often
Method
Ask participants to rank how they generally use essential oils
Findings
Determining which features are essential for MVP release
Diffusing creates a lasting aroma
If most people are using a diffuser, this question points to fragrance being key because most diffusers are designed to enhance scent, not provide medicinal benefits
Using oils for cleaning is rather rare
Because most participants prefer to use a diffuser or apply it to their skin, suggestions for household use of essential oils will not be released as an MVP
Goal
Determine if the app store is already oversaturated essential oil apps
Method
Ask participants where they find their information on essential oils
Findings
Determining product/market fit
A google search is always at your fingertips
Searching on Google or from a friend were the two most resources for essential oils. Less users searched for answers in other places.
People aren’t using apps for oils (yet)
Only one participant used an app, which may suggest the app store is not overly saturated
Personas
User research findings showed that potential users are likely going to be searching for a medicinal cure for their symptom, or they are going to be browsing for an essential oil based on scent.
Symptomatic Scorpion
Motivations
Searching for a specific cure to an ailment.
How essence can help them
Essence can illustrate how essential oils can support a body system they may be having trouble with.
Curious Cancer
Motivations
Learning about scent profiles of particular essential oils.
How essence can help them
Essence can help highlight fragrance profiles and suggest similar fragrances
Design process
When I began designing, I used the research findings and personas to make important design decisions, but made several major changes along the way. These are early, mid-fidelity versions that I ran during the first usability tests.
Early iterations of search and oil page
I used a botanical illustration and the latin botanical name to lend a scientific and reliable aesthetic.
The fragrance notes are at the top because research showed that users really care about the scent of an essential oil more than any other factor.
From usability tests, I found that the four categories needed to be adjusted.
Early iterations of home pages
This version uses a Netflix or Spotify structure, with depth shown by swiping horizontally, and breadth by scrolling vertically.
Usability tests showed that these categories were too broad, and the display of information was confusing.
Restructuring information architecture
A different solution was needed for the homepage, because the categorization was unclear.
Research showed that there was minimal need for showing oils in alphabetical order, and usability tests showed that users found oils organized by scent useful.
Top navigation:
broad, generalized categories
The broad categories on the horizontal axis were determined by analyzing user research with extra attention to how our two personas would be using ESSENCE.
Vertical scrolling:
subcategories
The more specific, narrow sub-categories were designed to thoughtfully display relevant information.
Card sorting → grouping symptoms
A card sorting activity was administered to 6 participants to determine better categories.
The results from this activity show the way people naturally group symptoms together.
Symptoms
Displaying a category organized by symptom appeals to the Symptomatic Scorpio persona who is looking for an answer to an ailment.
Information hierarchy
1. Category of symptom
2. Symptom
Fragrance
Fragrance families are listed so a Curious Cancer can understand the scent profile of essential oils.
Information hierarchy
1. Category of fragrance
2. Essential oil
3. Scent profile of essential oil
Body Systems
If the Symptomatic Scorpio wants to know how to treat a specific body system, they can find the information listed in this category.
Information hierarchy
1. Category of fragrance
2. Essential oil
3. Scent profile of essential oil
A-Z
For the Curious Cancer who wants to know more information about essential oils in general, they can scroll alphabetically through the list.
This section has an addition of icons touting different benefits.
Information hierarchy
1. Essential oil name
2. Scent profile of essential oil
3. Key benefits of essential oil
Check back soon for iOS app!