Herbariums are physical collections of preserved plant specimens used for scientific study, representing a critical material history of ecological state and environmental change through time.

Herbarium specimens throughout the world have increasingly been digitized and made available online. The HerbUX project aims to design a prototype interface that increases access to these critical collections for non-expert audiences to be used in classrooms, museums, and other public spaces.

1. Make search & discovery functions GENEROUS instead of inhibitive
   • Undo technical jargon
   • Use common names instead of scientific names to minimize barrier of previous knowledge
   • Taking after Mitchell Whitelaw's article on generous interfaces, we want to make an application that actively gives information rather than withholding it
2. Eye-catching and intuitive visual presentation
   • Prioritize visuals and graphics rather than text
   • Incorporate physical metaphor for intuitive interactivity, like sifting through sheets of paper to arrange specimens
3. Facilitate personal connection
   • Place specimens in a broader context, offering supplementary information such as history and ubiquity across daily life as a gateway into plant education for students