Terrascape

Terrascape

Design and manage terrariums digitally or in real life, with tools to build habitats, track care, and grow thriving ecosystems.

My Role

Product Designer, UX/UI

Project Type

Independent Concept

Platform

iOS

tools used

Figma, Maze, Adobe XD

Introduction

Terrascape blends digital creativity with real-world plant care, letting users design and manage living terrariums from anywhere. Whether building a custom habitat, tracking conditions, or adding new life, every feature keeps your ecosystem thriving. Each terrarium evolves as a personal project, a decorative piece, and a story of growth.

Problem

Terrarium care information is often scattered and inconsistent, leaving people unsure how to manage their ecosystems. Users struggle with designing habitats, monitoring conditions, and helping their plants thrive.

Compatibility: It’s hard to know which plants and materials work well together
Organization: Photos, notes, and schedules live in separate places
Insight: Care actions aren’t tied to outcomes, so progress is unclear

Research

Terrarium Care Patterns

  • Guidance reduces anxiety: Beginners fear plant death without steps.
  • Personalization builds trust: Users like tailored care tips.
  • Visual learning sparks action: Pinterest/TikTok cues motivate.
  • Sharing drives engagement: People showcase and collaborate.
  • Tracking boosts confidence: Logs and reminders keep users on track.
  • Customization adds joy: Naming, styling, and gamification help.
  • Users need structure: Hobbyists value logging and exports.
  • Generic tools fall short: Current apps miss terrarium needs.

What Users Say & Feel

  • Says: “I wish I had reliable reminders and tips so my plants didn’t die on me unexpectedly.”
  • Thinks: “Am I giving my terrarium the right balance of light, water, and attention to keep it alive?”
  • Feels: “Calm and proud when my plants thrive, but stressed and guilty when they don’t survive.”
  • Does: “Googles scattered care tips, sets random phone reminders, and browses plant forums for advice.”
  • Pains: “Instructions are scattered, often contradictory, and make plant care feel overwhelming.”
  • Gains: “A personalized care guide with reminders and tailored advice helps me feel confident and consistent.”

Personas

Terrascape supports people who want to care for and customize their terrariums. These personas guided decisions on setup flow, habitat management, and creative expression.

Lena The DIY'er

25
Content Creator
Portland, OR
"I want to build something beautiful, but I need help knowing what fits together and how to care for it. Clear guidance on compatible plants and upkeep would calm the nerves."
Creative
Caring
Empathetic
Outdoorsy

Kevin The Collector

32
Software Engimeer
Austin, TX
"I want to know which actions make my terrariums thrive, not guess from scattered notes. A single log that links care steps to results would show what actually works."
Analytical
Driven
Curious
Dedicated

Needs and Challenges

Real problems from real people, focused on setup guidance, ongoing care, and creative control in building terrariums.

Point-of-View Statements 

  1. I’d like to help beginners feel confident building and maintaining terrariums without feeling overwhelmed by unclear instructions.
  1. I’d like to help hobbyists personalize their terrariums with guidance, styling options, and progress tracking that build long-term engagement.
  1. I’d like to help advanced users manage and showcase their terrarium collections with structured tools for logging, exporting, and sharing.

How Might We Statements

  1. How might we simplify terrarium care for beginners so they feel less anxious and more capable?
  1. How might we add personalization and gamification that make terrarium care enjoyable and motivating?
  1. How might we provide advanced tools that support serious hobbyists while still keeping the app approachable for newcomers?

Key Features

The tools that help plant lovers build, customize, and care for thriving terrariums.

Build & Order

Design a digital terrarium, then have it assembled and shipped to your door.

Care Schedule

Get species-specific reminders for watering, misting, pruning, and feeding.

Growth Timeline

Save photos, milestones, and notes to watch your habitat thrive over time.

Condition Tracking

Track light, humidity, and temperature with tips when readings drift from target.

Troubleshoot Guide

Identify issues from symptoms or photos and apply safe, step-by-step fixes.

Add Existing Habitat

Log container, substrate, plants, and lighting to generate a tailored care plan.

Low-Fidelity Wireframes

Rough frames, clear decisions — speed over polish.

Iteration Notes

  • Focused on building flows to help new users quickly build custom terrariums and habitats with ease.
  • Iterated on plant and container selection steps, testing different groupings and layouts to reduce decision fatigue.
  • Prioritized ease of logging habitats, keeping data entry short and approachable for casual hobbyists.
  • Explored habitat detail layouts to balance aesthetic previews with actionable care data.
  • Incorporated early progress indicators to introduce gamification and long-term engagement

High-Fidelity Wireframes

Refined frames, ready to ship — polish with momentum.

Design Considerations

  • Refined the interface with a nature-inspired aesthetic, making the experience feel calm and welcoming.
  • Built visual previews of terrariums that combined clarity of details with attractive presentation.
  • Applied consistent iconography and color use to guide users through multi-step flows.
  • Integrated reminder systems to encourage proactive care for plants over time.
  • Ensured accessibility compliance, balancing inclusivity while keeping visuals playful.

From Insight to Impact

Terrascape — From Care to Growth

Terrarium care that feels purposeful and rewarding—organized, insight-driven, and inspiring.

  • Track what works. Actions (water, mist, prune) link to outcomes so patterns emerge.
  • Everything together. Photos, notes, and schedules live in one connected timeline.
  • Smart suggestions. Compatibility tips recommend plants and materials that play well.
  • Seasonal cues. Reminders adapt to climate and species needs automatically.
  • Build with confidence. A “plan” mode previews layout, substrate, and lighting choices.
  • Share & learn. Exportable care logs make progress easy to review or get feedback on.

Don't take my word for it – See for yourself!