A Study on the Design of PlantKita Mobile App: An E-Marketplace for Plant Enthusiasts using the Design Thinking Approach

Due to quarantine requirements brought about by COVID-19, people have been compelled to stay inside their homes resorting to home gardening as a hobby. In the Philippines, “Plantitas” for female gardeners and “Plantitos” for male gardeners were then conceived. This study aimed to determine the acceptance and recognition of “Plantitos or Plantitas” and plant sellers in our “PlantKita” mobile application as an alternative to online purchasing of plants, plant tools, plant seeds, plant pots and accessories, plant fertilizers, and maintenance and other products related to plants. The app was also intended to offer a 24/7 app that can offer customers a wide array of products to choose from and a bigger exposure in terms of marketability for plant sellers. The study used a survey questionnaire based on the Design Thinking approach to analyze the data, and identify the present scenario or experiences, problems and challenges, and potential solutions to the problems of users. As to the results of the survey conducted on the mobile app, more than 50% were satisfied in terms of customer satisfaction, more than 40% were very happy in terms of customer and seller needs, and more than 20% received a rare response as to pain points. The result showed the relevance and importance of using the PlantKita app. As to the results of the survey on the prototype, they received more than 50% on the user’s interface design, more than 70% on the usefulness of the app, and more than 69% on customer and seller satisfaction. To meet the needs of the participants, the researchers developed a prototype design. To conclude, design thinking was essential to the creation of the prototype for the mobile plant shopping application because it made users more comfortable and easier for them to trust the system that was provided, it accommodated problems and issues with functionalities that were specifically made to address them, and it allowed the prototype design to attract the target audience by meeting all of their plant needs and creating an app that was tailored for them. It also supported the UN’s SDG Goal 8 in the promotion of sustainable economic growth for MSMEs by giving the people a chance to work.