SALLY YAO
Project At a Glance
With growing interest in second language acquisition, how can we support Gen Z learners in feeling confident and comfortable using the language they are learning in real-world scenarios?
Introducing TEXTABLE
Leverage AI:
creates a secure, low-stakes environment that encourages learners to comfortably use the language they are learning.
Embed social media dynamics:
integrates into Gen Z's daily routines, making language learning a seamless part of their everyday interactions.
* Video created by Sally Yao
01
TEAM
Learning Design: Sally, Sofia, Yuko, Siraam
Visual Design: Sally
Tech Lead: Siraam
02
TOOLS
Figma & Procreate for Visual Design
Canva for Video making
Asana for Project Management
Design Approach
Communicative Language Teaching
Experience authentic language learning through AI chat, engaging in real-life conversations to practice language skills in meaningful contexts.
User Centered Design
Integrate ongoing user feedback into each design iteration, ensuring continuous refinement and improvement of the user experience.
Routine Engagement
Maximize user engagement by engaging with their existing routines, fostering social interaction through chat and interactive social media features.
Design Process
01. Empathy Interviews
We conducted 3 interviews with current language learners.
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Key Insights:
1. Users want to be able to use the language in real environments
2. Users stop using a learning app because it's not part of their routine
3. APPs are not adjusted to users' personal interest
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I want to talk with someone. I think it would help to have some source of motivation, like someone to not disappoint.
People don’t actually use those formal sentences and the vocabulary taught on the app
Personas:
02. Wide Vision, Narrow Scope
Question: How can we build a language learning app that tailor to individual interest and optimally integrates into users' daily routines?
Simulation Based Learning
Social Media Component
Interest-oriented, personalized experience
A community fostering multi-channel interactions between humans and AI.
Competitive Analysis
A language learning app that fosters an AI-driven community, enabling users to engage and interact with intelligent bots.
Purposed Solution
Key Features:
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Chat function: Users can text or speak with AI friends in the target language, enhancing conversational skills in a safe and low-stakes environment.
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Feed feature: Users can learn new vocabulary and grammar through AI-generated memes, making learning enjoyable, informal, and similar to existing social media habits.
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In-depth Community Interaction: Users have opportunities to engage with AI bots in creative and dynamic ways.
03. Prototypes & User Testing
In the initial prototype, the app featured a blend of both informal and formal learning elements.
After pitching to experts and receiving initial user feedback, we have decided to transform the app into an entirely informal learning environment. This aligns with our key objectives of providing a familiar and safe setting to enhance engagement with the target language.
With each feature update, we conducted user testing. Given that the chat function is the app's core feature, we redesigned the layout to position it on the home page. During user interactions, we observed a preference for the term 'feeds' over 'moments,' leading us to rename it accordingly. From a learning design standpoint, we reinstated the feedback tracking system to monitor user progress in each chat, identify errors, and suggest directions for learning.
04. Branding
To highlight the app's core feature—texting—we named it Textable. To cultivate a vibrant community, we introduced 'TextoVerse' to represent the Textable universe and 'Textobots' for the AI bots within this universe.
Procreate was used to create these avatars.
With the aim of fostering confidence and ensuring users feel comfortable speaking the targeted language, we chose a calming shade of green as the main color within the app. This is also an effort to create a familiar messaging app experience for users.
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For the logo, I initially experimented with AI-generated designs. Ultimately, to ensure consistency between the avatar and the logo, I created an illustration of an avatar looking at a phone, symbolizing user interaction with our app.
Next Steps
Feedback Display
Further explore engaging and motivational feedback mechanisms, such as real-time tips and positive reinforcement.
TextoVerse Interactions
Continue to develop interactive features and enhance community engagement within the app.
Beginner Involvement
Support beginning learners with guided prompts and adaptive response technology to tailor chats to their proficiency level
