Cool Tools for Spring
Two fun, dynamic tools that connect us to the natural world.
Photo by Recal Media via Pexels.
Spring is a time of transition and renewal. These shifts begin externally, as the days grow longer and the earth warms. We may notice internal changes, too. The instinct to hibernate and conserve energy may be replaced with curiosity, openness, and a sense of adventure. Sunny days and higher temperatures inspire us to spend time outside connecting with nature.
This year, I encountered two tools that helped me celebrate the season and stay in tune with the natural world. I hope you enjoy these tools or others!
“Cherry Watch” from Brooklyn Botanic Garden
If you’re a certified flower fiend, this is the tool for you. Cherry Watch is an interactive map of the flowering trees at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. No one wants to miss the big finale (aka peak bloom), but it’s difficult to schedule a visit at the optimal time. This is where Cherry Watch tool comes in! The map shows the bloom stage for the beloved “Cherry Esplanade,” a promenade lined with more than sixty trees.
User Need: Schedule a visit to the garden during peak bloom
Business Goals: Mitigate customer disappointment, make it easy for customers to plan a rewarding visit, and promote the season’s biggest attraction
Why it’s delightful: This tool balances whimsy and practicality. The illustration is simple yet pretty. Within a few seconds, you can determine how many trees are blooming. You can also hover over the dots to learn more about the trees.
Early April
Most cherry trees are in prebloom. If you want to visit at the height of the spring season, you’ll need to wait a little longer.
(The Cherry Esplanade is on the left — look for the row of trees planted in perfect symmetry).
Early May
Dozens of cherry trees are in peak bloom! If you head to the gardens now, you will be enveloped in ethereal pink blossoms.
NASA Eclipse Explorer
I hope you had a chance to (safely!) look at the total solar eclipse this spring. I wasn’t in the path of totality, but I loved digging into the astronomy and astrology associated with eclipses. The NASA Eclipse Explorer was incredibly helpful in allowing me to enjoy the eclipse and learn helpful information. The tool allows you to determine the max percent coverage (how much of the sun will be covered), duration of totality (if the sun will go completely dark in your area), and the exact time you’ll want to go outside to check it out.
User Need: Determine when to view the eclipse
Business Goals: Maintain status as the go-to source of knowledge for all things astronomy, provide ways for users of all ages to meaningfully engage with outer space phenomena
Why it’s delightful: Quickly find location-specific details about the eclipse (when the height is, how much sun will be covered from your vantage point). This makes it easier to schedule a well-timed break to sneak outside and marvel at a rare astronomical occurrence!
The eclipse tool is positioned over a map. The path of totality is shown in a black band stretching across the country. You can type in a zip code to find out when the height of the eclipse will be.
Location-specific Info
This info box appears when you type in a zip code. The timestamps reveal how the sun will look at different stages of the eclipse.
Final UXD Takeaways
Technology provides novel ways to interact with the natural world. Thoughtful feature design allows us to connect more deeply to natural phenomena, whether we’re closely monitoring cherry blossom progress or the path of a total solar eclipse.
The natural world sparks creative uses of technology. Both tools were designed to meet needs that have existed long before computers. Our fascination with the natural world pushes us to explore technology from a different angle.
Delight stems from meaning and purpose. These tools are not flashy or overtly trendy! The Cherry Watch and Eclipse Explorer are excellent because they address real problems, function well, and are easy to use.