DIGIT SOIL
For more sustainability in agriculture
Farmers face many challenges. One of these is to manage the soil efficiently and protect the environment at the same time.
The ETH spin-off Digit Soil offers a solution to this problem. Using membranes and a portable scanner, the enzyme activity in the soil is measured and the analysed data is then used to make recommendations for the optimum planting sequence and fertiliser application via an app.
My task as a UX designer at Axelra was to develop an initial prototype of this app together with the client in order to attract further investors for the start-up.
PROCEDURE AND UX METHODS
Workshops to create a common understanding of the product and develop a product vision for the app.
UX methods used:
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Personas based on existing information
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User journeys to understand how the product could be used
Information architecture and flow of the app
Development of the look & feel for the app
Conception of all important user flows and implementation in a clickable hi-fi prototype
Validation of the concept with farmers by means of interviews and integration of important findings into the concept
ONBOARDING: CREATING OPERATIONS AND FIELDS
Simple onboarding, details of the farm and available fertilisers. Create fields with planned cultivation and use the app with initial recommendations without buying or renting the meter.
WORKING WITH THE APP
Once the farmer has laid out the fields and carried out initial measurements with the supplied membranes and scanners, he can read out the results and recommendations via the app.
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Information on soil quality and recommendations based on this for planting, fertilisation (type and quantity) and optimum crop rotation
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History per field
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Detailed information on each field with the option of adding photos and notes per field
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Help for the correct measuring points in the field
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Support
VISUAL DESIGN
The colour scheme is inspired by the existing logo.
Icons help to differentiate more quickly in list views and during navigation.
The imagery combines nature and technology. Each field receives an isometric ground section with the corresponding planting in a 3D visualisation. For this first prototype, I worked with the AI tool Midjourney. The colour scheme corresponds to nature.
RESULT
This first clickable prototype helped the start-up Digit Soil to better present the product to potential investors with a pitch deck and business plan.
Valuable initial feedback was obtained from farmers, which can be integrated into further development.
More information about the project at axelra.com
Project period: May - July 2023