Gauge
About the Project
Gauge is a language learning app designed to enhance the language acquisition experience for users worldwide.
My mission is to streamline the process of learning a new language through innovative and digestible modules, making language acquisition accessible, enjoyable, and successful for users around the globe.
My Role
As a UX designer, my task and responsibility were to create a user-centric and user-friendly language learning app that aligns with Gauge's mission. I was in charge of building a platform that resonates with the diverse needs of our user base.
Problems
1. Language learning app users struggle with limited speaking practices, frustration in constructing sentences with basic words, and a loss of motivation.
2. Tracking progress proves to be difficult due to busy schedules, resulting in limited real-world understanding despite app usage. Users seek a more engaging and interactive learning experience.
Solutions
1. Enhance language learning by implementing regular speaking exercises with voice recognition, fostering connections with native speakers.
2. Boost engagement through reward elements and create a user-friendly dashboard for progress tracking. Integrate diverse features like videos, music, books, quizzes, games, virtual immersion and live chat
Design Thinking Process
In the process of developing Gauge, a groundbreaking language learning app, I followed the Double Diamond model stages - Discover, Define, Develop, and Deliver.
User Research & In-Depth Interview
I employed a comprehensive research strategy, conducting interviews with four users aged 20 and above to gain valuable insights into second language learning through apps.
User Persona
Following this, I delved into crafting a comprehensive User Persona named Alex, representing our target audience, embodying their characteristics during this process.
Journey Mapping
With the User Persona in place, I designed a user journey, visually depicting Alex's experience from discovering language apps to completing activities within them.
Problem Statement and HMW
I distilled identified problems into a solid problem statement and sparked ideas through "How Might We" questions.
Language learners need a systematic method to accurately identify, track, and monitor their language learning progress so that they can enhance their learning experience.
HMW make the learning process more enjoyable and effective for users?
HMW provide to users a more personalized and effective learning experience?
HMW enhance cultural immersion for users though the learning language process?
How might we encourage users to maintain regular and consistent practice within language learning apps?
User Flow
In designing the user flow, my focus was on resolving the key issue: the absence of speaking practices in language apps. The solution was intricately outlined, guiding users from app entry to booking online lessons with native speakers.
Mid-Fidelity Wireframes
Drawing from user flow insights and gathered information, I started sketching and developed mid-fidelity wireframes, focusing on detailed booking features within the app.
Usability Test
The mid-fidelity prototype was then subjected to rigorous usability tests through tools like Maze and user interviews, unraveling crucial insights.
Research Objective: Determine if users can effectively achieve their desired objectives.
User Goals: Users will be able to book a language lesson with native speaker in 4 minutes.
Logistics: Conducted via remote Zoom in unmoderated way.
Metrics: Quantitative and qualitative.
Usability Test - Quantitive Data
Throughout the usability test, I acquired quantitative data, highlighting the misclick rate and the corresponding pages, providing insights into the areas causing confusion for users.
Sign in/up page
A pivotal discovery was users getting stuck on the initial sign-in screen, where a colossal circle intended as a logo led to confusion.
Home Page
The subsequent home page posed another challenge as users attempted to book lessons in the watching section rather than listening.
Teachers page
Speaking activity page
Usability Test - Qualitative Data
During user interviews, I skillfully navigated discussions to have users assess their journey through tasks. I probed them to articulate their preferences and pinpoint their frustrations, extracting valuable insights into their app experience.
Usability Test - Improvements
Based on the identified problems, I proactively proposed insightful suggestions for enhancing the app to mitigate potential confusions. Here are the following improvement suggestions:
Redesign the appearance of the logo to clearly differentiate it from interactive buttons, ensuring users do not mistake it for a clickable element.
Change the existing buttons and provide more instructional text to guide users toward the correct action on the first page, such as "log in" and "sign up".
Enhance the task description by providing more detailed information about the location of 'online lessons with a native speaker,' specifying that it can be found in a particular section (e.g., 'speaking') to avoid user confusion.
Typography & Colors
In response to these findings, I initiated the development of a comprehensive design system, introducing consistency, structure, and visual harmony. Typography and colors were meticulously selected for accessibility, ensuring a mature yet modern palette with good contrast.
UI Elements & Components
Icons, friendly illustrations, and UI components were implemented to add a touch of fun and enjoyment to the app.
Hi-Fidelity Screen Details
In the high-fidelity screens, I detail the home page, explaining each feature implementation.
Hi-Fidelity Prototype
In the high-fidelity screens, I focused on implementing a clean, user-friendly design that emphasized ease of navigation and intuitive user interactions.
Reflections:
One of the key lessons was the significance of user research in discovering engaging approaches for learning a second language. The insights from users provided an understanding of the features important to them, their preferences, and motivations for studying. This guided the design of a customer-centric experience, influencing decisions throughout the entire design process.
Another crucial lesson learned during the design process was the significance of incorporating a chat feature, providing users with the ability to communicate with friends or new acquaintances, along with facilitating online lessons with native speakers. Users expressed a strong willingness to embrace these opportunities within the app and were even open to paying for such valuable features.
Next Steps:
Conduct comprehensive user testing to gather feedback on the newly implemented features such as regular speaking exercises, voice recognition, and connections with native speakers.
Continuously refine the reward elements to enhance user engagement. Monitor user behavior and preferences to tailor the reward system for maximum effectiveness in motivating users to engage with the app regularly.
Optimize the live chat feature to facilitate meaningful interactions between users and native speakers.