Word Deck
Word Deck is a context-based English vocabulary learning app. With an innovative approach, a native mobile app helps users master vocabulary on the go.
Project Type:
UX Design
Date:
2022
Platform:
Mobile Native App
Client:
Career Foundry Student Project
Tools :
Figma
Photoshop
understanding the problem
Challenge
This project aims to design an app that will teach vocabulary in an engaging manner to a wide range of users from different walks of life.
Human-centered design is followed to find the most suitable solution that meets the user's needs.
Design Process
Phase 1: Empathize
Competitive Analysis
Competitive analysis was conducted to gain valuable insights into the strengths, weaknesses, strategies, and market positioning of rival companies, enabling businesses to make informed decisions, identify opportunities, and maintain a competitive edge in the industry.
1. Duolingo
Founded in 2011,Duolingo is a popular language-learning platform known for its gamified approach to teaching a wide range of languages.
Strength
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Allows users to start at any desired level
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User can have the experience of the app even before registering.
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Users can follow friends to see their progress for motivation.
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Allows competitive learning
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App customizes the vocabulary as per the purpose of learning.
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The app has an attractive and engaging UI.
Opportunities
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Creating challenging exercises.
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Providing references for learning
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Providing Grammar sessions.
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Allowing flexibility to users to choose their level.
Weakness
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The exercises are repetitive.
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No references for the vocabulary.
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Some languages are grammar sensitive and literally translating the words sometimes can be misleading as there is no grammar exercises
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Focuses a lot more on perfect score rather than introducing new vocabulary.
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The app is not challenging after certain level and users find it repetitive.
Threats
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Duolingo is well-established in market and can be difficult to break the market.
2. Babble
Founded in January 2008, Babbel GmbH is a German subscription-based e-learning platform and language learning software.
Strength
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Provides references for utilizing new vocabulary.
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A user is able to learn in different formats such as visuals, audio, and dialogues, this allows the user to remember the words various references.
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In paid version, the user is able to learn various new vocabulary and also grammar rules.
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The app customizes vocabulary based on the learning goal.
Opportunities
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A 2 to 4 weeks trial period for users to familiarize with the app.
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Allowing users to plan their own study schedules.
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Creating interesting UI.
Weakness
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The trial period is extremely short.
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There is no flexibility for users to study according to their schedules.
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The user interface of the app is boring.
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The user interface for the flashcards is confusing as the placing of answers and questions keep changing.
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The text size is tiny, causing accessibility issues.
Threats
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This app has a well-established user base and provides well-rounded language exercises that are easy to learn, making the app a favourite among its users.
2.Memrise
Memrise is an online language-learning platform that focuses on mnemonic techniques and user-generated content to help users acquire new vocabulary and language skills.
Strength
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With Memrise, users can not only learn new words but also understand local dialects.
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The App provides grammar and vocabulary lessons.
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Users can learn multiple languages in same profile.
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Allows user to create sentences and memes to remember the words as per users’ preference.
Opportunities
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Developing intuitive and engaging UI.
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The user interface design seems cluttered and complex.
Weakness
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It is difficult to navigate in the App, and carryout tasks.
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The user interface design seems cluttered and complex.
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Too many pop ups for advertisements in the free version.
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Some of the app features need to be controlled in the browser rather than the app itself.
Threats
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By providing videos from native speakers, the app has a unique teaching technique, but adapting this technique in Word Deck can be difficult.
1. Empathize
User Interviews & Surveys
User research was conducted to gain insights into the target audience and their needs.
Research Goals
Understanding user behaviour towards vocabulary app
Research Findings
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Users tend to use the app mostly on the move.
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Users enjoy the gaming and competitive features in the app.
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Users prefer challenging exercises.
Research Goals
Understanding learning patterns of different users
Research Findings
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Users learn with repetition
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Users understand with references
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Users prefer visual cues.
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Users learn with solving cross-word puzzles and other games
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Users learn by reading books
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Users learn new words is conversations
Research Goals
Identifying the best methods to learn vocabulary
Research Findings
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Repetition, and with reference to context were the most popular methods of learning new vocabulary.
2. Define
User Personas
User personas were developed to understand and empathize with the users.
Mayra
Age: 27 Yrs
Gender: Female
Profession: Project Manager
Status: Single
Location: Bengaluru, India
Myra is a single woman living in Bengaluru, India. She enjoys traveling, socializing, practicing yoga and cooking meals every day as she wants to live a healthy lifestyle. She works as a Project Manager for a multinational company. She will soon be relocating to London for a new job opportunity. Although she can communicate in English, she wants to improve her vocabulary so she can feel empowered while conversing with her colleagues and confident while making new friends with the locals.
“Lately. I have so many things going on both professional and personal front. Since I am soon moving to London I am busy with handovers all my projects, the visa procedure is also hectic and I also have to catch-up with all my friends and family. I wish I could improve my vocabulary to easily fit in the new environment but it is impossible for me to dedicate long hours to study.”
Daily Activities
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She works 5 days a week, mostly for long hours.
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With public transport, she needs approximately 50 minutes to commute to work.
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She enjoys doing yoga every morning.
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She loves meeting people and socializing.
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She enjoys travelling.
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She prefers cooking at home over takeout as she wants to live a healthy lifestyle.
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Watches series and movies in her free time.
Needs and Goals
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Wants to feel empowered while communicating with clients and colleagues.
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Wants to feel motivated to learn everyday.
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Wants to learn for short time everyday.
Frustration
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Understanding the correct meanings and definitions.
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Understanding the correct pronunciation of the words.
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Remember the correct spelling.
Motivation
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To settle in her new environment after relocation.
2. Define
User Stories
In order to understand Mayra's expectations of Word Deck, user stories were constructed.
Since I have a busy schedule, I would like some motivation every day to learn new vocabulary so that I feel confident when conversing with the locals when I relocate to London.
As I have limited free time throughout the day, I would like to practice writing the words, so that I am empowered while communicating with my clients and colleagues.
Due to my upcoming move to London, I would like to improve my English language skills to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
As someone who learns with context, I would like to know the meaning and references for the word and be able to add notes by myself so that I can use the word correctly.
Considering that English can be a tricky language, I would like to know how to pronounce the words correctly so that I can converse with native speakers with ease.
2. Define
Problem Statement
Based on Myra’s responses, a problem statement was established.
Myra needs a solution to study on the go, which keeps her motivated and allows her to learn and practice vocabulary everyday so that she can be confident with her language skills after she relocates to a new country. We know this to be true when we see Myra engaging with the word deck app on regular basis and gaining confidence to use complex words and high-level vocabulary while communicating with the native speakers.
2. Define
Hypothesis
In order to solve the problem statement, a hypothesis statement was created.
We believe by creating a vocabulary learning app that allows for context-based learning, custom notes and references, as well as a gaming and quiz feature, will motivate Myra to practice vocabulary daily. By doing so we aim to boost Myra’s confidence and ease her transition into a new environment.
3. Ideate
Information Architecture
The hypothesis statement can now be translated in a flow chart which defines the features and architecture of the Vocabulary learning App.
4. Prototype
Low-Fidelity-Wireframe
Wireframes were created to illustrate the flow chart.
5. Test
Usability Test Report
Upon completion of the prototype, user testing was conducted to test the app's functionality. Based on the results, new iterations were created.
Task 1
Sign-up and complete On-Boarding.
Suggested Change
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Indicator for the number of screens is required.
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Introduction screens will change with Animations.
Task 1
Option to skip on-boarding
Suggested Change
3. Skip button added on Top
Unable to understand how long the on-boarding process will take
Suggested Change
4. Progress bar is added for on-boarding process.
Task 1
Option to skip test
Suggested Change
5. Skip button added to begin at level 1. Users can always take the test from home after signing up
Task 2: Add customized notes as references
Task 3: Start learning and Practicing word cards.
App logo and search words should be seen from all screens.
Suggested Change
6. App logo and search words added on the top.
Options to hear pronunciations of the words.
Suggested Change
7. Speaker icon added on the word card to listen to the pronunciations.
Option to add voice notes as typing is not always possible
Suggested Change
8. A mic and speaker icon added to add and listen to voice notes
Back and forward buttons should be aligned.
Suggested Change
9. Buttons aligned at bottom
Option to edit references from practice cards
Suggested Change
10. Edit references button added on the card.
