![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/6e767832-9559-44bc-aa58-8d532265107f/e07de2ae-17a5-4466-8ace-100411ff81a4_rw_1920.gif?h=ff9f3bcafd2c03d168279a65ca9e5c1c)
Project Type: UX/UI Prototyping & Animation
Programs Used: Apple Procreate & Figma
Art Direction: Prof. Matthew McGlynn for GAID Sr. Interactive Design
Resources: The Noun Project, The National Parks Service
Verdant: A Nature Adventure Guide, is a hiker’s planning website that focuses on helping its users find the perfect national or state park for their next outdoor adventure while promoting information about each park's environmental conservation efforts as well. This website serves the purpose of narrowing down the perfect trails for its users through a quiz filtration system. Through the utilization of awe-inspiring, grand illustrations and micro-animation of the great outdoors, it aims to encourage visitors to appreciate, engage in, and protect the natural world around us as well. Whether the user is an experienced hiker or just starting out, Verdant was made to be a go-to resource for planning their next unforgettable adventure
![Mockup of the hiking website verdant on multiple screens to show different pages and responsiveness](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/6e767832-9559-44bc-aa58-8d532265107f/5d7cb608-618f-47b3-8279-3d65001c9fac_rw_3840.jpg?h=68597d07bf71ace5244bd5ed5088b731)
The name Verdant
Verdant translates to lush with foliage and greenery, which captures the essence of natural beauty and the great outdoors for this project. It evokes a sense of vitality, energy, and wonder, which perfectly aligns with the spirit of a nature adventure website.
![Polar Bear Spot Illustration](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/6e767832-9559-44bc-aa58-8d532265107f/60a64080-28a2-42c4-a6ab-08302aa759bc_rw_1200.png?h=2ec020f75fc690a7784993942cc7de85)
Polar Bear Spot Illustration
![Campfire Animation](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/6e767832-9559-44bc-aa58-8d532265107f/1e9afa1c-dce1-4c98-a290-557aa87f6780_rw_1920.gif?h=21ab7705cf420b503a548344d7486a42)
Campfire Animation
![Tree & Hiker Spot Illustration](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/6e767832-9559-44bc-aa58-8d532265107f/58b22ae8-8123-4ba4-9378-38c4905f4158_rw_1200.png?h=4686ea5e7bf9b95fa0a8700f6c9835b6)
Tree & Hiker Spot Illustration
![Site Background (Lake)](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/6e767832-9559-44bc-aa58-8d532265107f/6eb9952d-4840-4a44-b06e-8c3ffcd7cf15_rw_1920.jpg?h=c377c1cd5623cdc74036746804849d2c)
Site Background (Lake)
![Site Background (Desert)](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/6e767832-9559-44bc-aa58-8d532265107f/78037b8e-3245-447c-ba93-b3840735eac4_rw_1920.jpg?h=b1104c7e51d2f6ba3a1415b190a2393f)
Site Background (Desert)
![An Animated GIF of a Hiker](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/6e767832-9559-44bc-aa58-8d532265107f/e7d5e654-a880-4a42-a103-62dc893df1af_rw_1920.gif?h=ed224ceb85fd47613d977e9de177e298)
![Verdant's color palette. Featuring a variety of blues, greens, and orange.](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/6e767832-9559-44bc-aa58-8d532265107f/f1e06cb2-04c6-4e1f-a74c-5ecdaf184fdf_rw_1920.jpg?h=17be5dff072e5ad704dd22be4d9810ff)
![An Example of a User Journey](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/6e767832-9559-44bc-aa58-8d532265107f/41d4ed47-a349-499a-882a-7e4fde3bb37b_rw_1920.jpg?h=56f66a5b829a9163ef6bd723a318c43b)
An Example of a User Journey
The Final Site Map / User Flow Chart
![A User Persona Chart about a mother named Kathy](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/6e767832-9559-44bc-aa58-8d532265107f/8e3fd0ab-9341-42f5-995f-bffb1cb470dd_rw_1920.jpg?h=9f504b2b3be6424adc5618015704209f)
Research through User Personas
To ensure that Verdant meets the needs and expectations of its target audience, user persona research was conducted to better understand the different types of hikers and nature enthusiasts who might visit the site. This research involved exploring differing preferences and goals of various potential users, including a mother planning a summer family vacation, an avid mountain climber, and a nature photographer who is looking to learn more about wildlife protection practices. By delving into the unique needs and motivations of each user persona, Verdant’s quiz filtration system became carefully crafted to cater to a multitude of specific needs and interests. Whether it's finding kid-friendly trails and activities, discovering challenging backpacking routes, or learning more about the conservation efforts of national parks, Verdant can be used as an essential planning tool for a diverse range of outdoor visitors.
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