LanguageBank
About the Project
A research project for the vocabulary and language learning app: LanguageBank.
This project was developed as part of my UX Certification course through CareerFoundry. I was responsible for the beginning stages of research and anaylsis, Low-fidelity wireframes, and user testing.
Timeline
Two weeks, April 2020.
Tools
Adobe Illustrator
Microsoft Powerpoint
Marvel
Pen & Paper
Problem
Users need a way to learn basic foreign and native vocabulary, so that they can feel more confident in everyday conversations.
Solution
A simple app that won’t get in the way of users’ busy lives, and that educates through audio, visual, and repetition. We will know this to be true when users are able to have conversations with increased confidence, and are able to find the right words for every situation.
Competitive Analysis
Before diving into designing the app, we have to take a look at our competitors, and what they are doing. We analyzed three vocabulary apps: Knudge.me, Duolingo, and G Vocab.
Findings
All three apps offered something different for the user:
Knudge.me focused on gameplay as a means to teach vocabulary, but the downfall with this was that the user may not retain the information as well since they are focusing on the outcome of the game.
Duolingo made it easy to focus on the lesson and the vocabulary with minimal distractions.
G Vocab focuses on test-prep vocabulary, and while it was the most comprehensive for vocabulary out of the three apps analyzed, it was also the most cluttered and difficult to navigate.
User Interviews
Now that we have an idea of what is currently on the market, we need to find out what users expect from a language/vocabulary app.
Four participants were interviewed and asked about their learning goals, daily routines, and how much time they could dedicate to learning a new language.
“I want to communicate more effectively in my career field or while traveling.”
“I feel frustrated or lost when I don’t know which words to use, or know which words are right for a specific situation.”
“I need to be able to relate the words or language back to common words or phrases I already know in English. This is the best way for me to learn.”
Based on the information gathered from these interviews, we were able to form our user persona: Alexis.
User Persona
Meet Alexis: the globetrotter always looking for her next big adventure.
Behaviors
Loves exercising and training for marathons with her dog, Ruby.
Expert user of various social media platforms. Her favorite is Instagram.
Takes yearly trips to Europe, and loves to learn about the food culture in each region she visits.
Needs
A tool that won’t distract from her busy life and work schedule.
An experience that doesn’t feel like work.
A quick way to reference or translate words she comes across in everyday life.
To make connections back to what she already knows.
Goals
Learn new words.
Retain learned words.
Communicate effectively when traveling to Europe.
Be able to carry a conversation, ask for things, and order food from a restaurant while traveling.
“Between working, training for marathons, and playing with my dog, I rarely have a chance to focus on learning a new language. I need an easy way to learn and keep track of what I am learning. I am motivated by daily challenges or goals.”
“When I travel, being able to communicate the basics would make me feel more confident and comfortable. I also want to know more about the culture I am visiting.”
“I need an audio tool to help me learn a new language. I want to be able to multi-task while learning, so that learning doesn’t interfere with my active lifestyle.”
Information Architecture & Wireframes
In order to get a better idea of how to build the best app for Alexis, we need to explore how the site will look and navigate.
Usability Tests
During the process of wireframing, I started overthinking the app and its features.
I interviewed three participants, who offered great suggestions to make the app more functional and usable. I learned that I was making the app too difficult, and that simplifying it would result in a much better outcome. I took their feedback, and organized it in a usability test report.
The participants also suggested great ideas like being able to upload your own words or images, and being able to link the words to outside sources such as Google Translate.
Revised Wireframes Based on Usability Test Results
Next Steps for Future Development
Reviews revised wireframes with users.
Expand on wireframes and sitemap.
Create interactive wireframes to test functionality and flow.
Learning & Experience
Not to get caught up in the early wireframe stages.
The more people you talk to, the more ideas and concepts are able to flow through your own head.
