Grove is an AI-powered digital tool that helps arborists collect tree data, manage inspections, and connects urban citizens to support tree health.
By centralizing fragmented systems, it transforms outdated workflows into a streamlined platform that saves years of work.
PLANTING MY TREE
My Superpower
My contribution was primarily focused on interaction and UI design. I was responsible for both mobile and tablet UI for arborists and urban citizens.
I love creating experiences that feel interactive, purposeful, and inclusive. With this passion I was able to bridge the gap between the arborist and urban communities through mobile and tablet UI.
Furthermore, this reduced friction across arborists and urban citizens, whilst preserving tree health, and finally keeping city trees safe from destruction.
THE CANOPY
TLDR;
Urban trees are essential to the health of our cities, yet arborists face significant challenges in maintaining them due to outdated technology, limited resources, and fragmented data management.
That's where Grove comes in ✨.
DISCOVERY & RESEARCH
Digging our roots
Research began and hence the flood gates of questions. As a UX designer, how can I create an experience that will empower this niche group of users? What makes them powerful? What impacts are they looking for?
What can I learn, discover, and explore about arborists and urban citizens so that I can design for their key needs.
Who?
Who are Urban Foresters and what does their work focus on?
What?
What kind of data do Urban Foresters find important to collect for their jobs? Why?
How?
How does this data impact their jobs or tasks? How is this data being retrieved?
US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Urban trees account for 40% of tree coverage in the U.S.
Yet, the U.S. averages two arborists for every 160,00 trees in most cities.
This shortage prevents significant progress in the health of citizens and quality of land.
KEY INSIGHTS
Uncovering the truth
The day in the life on an arborist is tough.
DESIGN PROCESS
Designing with purpose
After narrowing down our concepts I jumped into creating a sitemap complete with low-fidelity and mid-fidelity designs. The goal is to stand out by offering a seamless, efficient, and responsive experience that enhances workflow management and citizen engagement.
This was then followed up with user testing.
USER TESTING
Be honest, how do you really feel?
To evaluate the effectiveness of our platform, we identified four key performance indicators (KPIs) that measure user experience, efficiency, and overall engagement. These metrics provide both qualitative and quantitative insights, helping us refine our product for better usability and adoption.
INSIGHT
Validate social impact
Validation and recognition play a significant role in sustained engagement. Participants were more likely to continue contributing when their efforts were acknowledged through goals, awards, or incentives. Providing clear milestones and achievements helped users feel a sense of accomplishment, reinforcing positive behavior.
Additionally, fostering a sense of community or friendly competition encouraged long-term participation.
Provide goals, awards, etc
Encourage competition or community
YOUR DAY AT A GLANCE
Dashboard
NEVER MISS WHAT MATTERS
Notifications
SEE DENSITY, PRIORITIZE ACTION
Map
COLLECT DATA, NOT FRUSTRATION
Tree Inventory
Grove earned three international design awards (Red Dot, IDA, Indigo) and consistent recognition as a leading concept for arboriculture technology. More importantly, it earned validation from the people who matter most: arborists said they'd use it, and citizens were eager to get involved.
Urban trees account for 40% of US tree coverage. They clean our air, cool our cities, improve quality of life. But arborists are managing 160,000 trees per person with outdated, fragmented tools.
Grove proved that centralization works. That simplicity wins. That good design can genuinely help people do their jobs better.
If I could take it further, I'd pilot Grove in a real city and measure the impact: time saved, trees logged, communities engaged. Because this isn't just about winning awards, it's about making it easier for arborists to protect our urban forests.
Balancing technology and AI to preserve arborist jobs.
Understand why the outdated user flow exists and how to account for it while designing.
Designing for both B2B and B2C was ambitious in one project, but it was totally worth it.
Be confident in my design decisions and articulate the reasoning behind them. #shoutouttomyteam
Put users first by spending time in their environment, not just in interviews.
Think contextually about when and where information matters.
MY FAVS
