Lera
Vocabulary learning app. Early prototype
Lera is a vocabulary learning app with virtual assistance that emulates real human conversations. Lera empowers people to practice new languages on-the-go and helps them to find relevant tandem partners.
Timeline
February 2020 (2 weeks)
My role
UX Designer
Tools
Pen and Paper
Marvel app
Adobe XD
01. Design challenge
Learning new languages can be challenging. During my early research for vocabulary apps, I discovered a wide range of products for learning and practicing vocabulary. I choose the following apps to conduct an informal Competitive Analysis.
The Problem
The learning process is time-consuming and not very engaging.
Applications contain usability issues.
Possible Solution
To create a mobile application focused on learning new vocabulary that enables users to perform quick 5–10 minute study sessions on their own or on-the-go and help them to connect with native speakers.
02. Understanding the user
To understand people's initial behavior when it comes to learning new languages I conducted several user interviews to discover the needs, goals, motivations and frustrations of my potential users. I found out that people learn better by having new words in a certain context.
Findings
To gain a deeper understanding of my potential users, I went carefully through each of the interview notes and discovered what my interviewees do, feel, and think when
it comes to learning new vocabulary. Feel free to explore my User Research.
Proto Persona
To humanize users' needs and pain points, I created a proto persona based on the insights from the user research.
03. Foundational design
It’s time to identify some main tasks our persona will need to complete to accomplish their goals. To come up with some initial thoughts on how to organize content and present it to my target users, I visualized how Paula would move through the information space of the application via user flows.
User Flow 01
A quick input process for new words will help Paula build a solid vocabulary within the app every day on the go.
User Flow 02
As we know, practicing new knowledge in a real-time context motivates Paula to continue learning.
04. Ideation
This is one of the most exciting parts of the process—seeing how the initial research and ideas come to life in the form of tangible wireframes and prototypes. It's important to communicate information and content visually so people can accomplish necessary tasks and achieve their goals.
Rapid Sketching
To generate a number of different ideas within a short period of time, I followed one of the core design sprint methods the Crazy Eights. I sketched out basic wireframes for each user flow using a pen and lots of paper.
Prototyping
I took photos of the selected wireframes and transformed them into an interactive low-fidelity prototype using the Marvel app on my cellphone.
05. Usability testing
To have more direct interactions with my potential users, I organized a moderated testing session in one of the language schools in Berlin. Testing my wireframes early on in the design process meant I would reach my final design much quicker.
The Goal
To observe and measure how my potential users understand and value the initial functionality of the Lera app and to collect their feedback.
Test Objectives
Input a new word
Exercises with words
Add a word to the vocabulary
Practicing in real-time
Methodology
Moderated in person
Usability Report
After all usability tests with Lera's potential users were completed, I summarized the findings in a Usability Test Report and prepared myself to implement critical revisions to the prototype.
06. Implementing changes
Usability testing was a crucial step for me to realize how different people think. Despite some organizational and communication challenges during my early research, I came up with some concrete ideas for improvement for my prototype.
Iteration 1
All the users found the word input process very handy, so I just improved it in my next iterations using Adobe XD.
Iteration 2
It was pretty challenging to emulate a real communication interface using a hand-drawn prototype. To increase users' engagement with it and to minimize their cognitive load I put a high emphasis on the initial functionality and communication in the high-fidelity prototype.
Prototype
I recorded this one-minute video of the prototype to document the results before I went back for more feedback and improvements.
07. Wrap-up thoughts
Working on Lera during this brief period of time was a very inspiring and challenging process for me. I learned how to apply the fundamentals of user-centered design and run my first user research and usability testing. I really enjoy creating pixel-perfect wireframes and other graphics, but I have to admit that gaining user feedback as quickly as possible would save time and other resources when we move toward the final result. The ultimate truth I've learned so far about the iterative design process is:
It's very important to stay open and objective about any feedback people share with me during the usability testing. Next time I will ask a friend or a colleague to help me with taking notes and observations, so I can better focus on asking the right questions and get more valuable insights from the participants.
Thank you so much for reading it till the end!