Hypothesis Statement

We believe that by creating a language-learning app for Sophie—one that has multiple methods of learning, shared experiences, celebrated milestones, with flexible user input and a customized pace—we will empower her to stay focused and motivated, and to engage in meaningful Hawaiian conversations during her trip.

/

Aloha

Unfortunately, both of the Hawaiian Language apps were poorly designed, and some user reviews cited inaccuracies. This supports the research I discovered about the suppression of the Hawaiian Language, and validates the need for a more robust app to preserve its cultural significance. Duolingo was the next closest competitor and the experience is positive, educational, encouraging, and features gamification. Reword and Words Booster were comparative products. Words Booster’s flashcard approach to learning vocabulary, along with its learning methodology and practice sessions were especially nice.

Competitive Analysis Findings

Mid-fidelity Wireframes

Aloha Vocabulary App

Design a native app that empowers people to learn the Hawaiian Language. Use a flashcard learning approach for the design of the app.

My RoLE

Designed For

Project type

Duration

UX Designer

1 month

Native App

UX Immersive

Primary Tools

Figma, Marvel

Objective

analyze

I collected and sorted the data from my research to gain valuable insights that helped me make informed, user-centric design decisions.

Hawaiian Words Dictionary

Hawaiian Words and Phrases

Words Booster

Reword

Duolingo

User Interview Findings

I extracted key insights from the conversations I had with user interview participants and categorized these insights into an affinity map, by participant. Then I summarized my insights into “doing, feeling, and thinking,” which helped empathize with users and better understand their needs.

Excerpts from the Affinity Map

Participant #1

It helps to read vocabulary and repeat it out loud. Singing songs works, too, and any kind of repetition.

Participant #2

I write down the word and say the word, or use it in a sentence. It helps to have challenges of what I just learned, too.

Participant #3

Reading articles helps me the most when I learn new vocabulary. Apps also help because they’re most accessible.

User interview Insights

synthesize

To generate empathy, I created a persona to define the primary user’s motivations, goals, and challenges. I also formulated problem and hypothesis statements.

Sophie’s Devices

Age

Nationality

Location

Languages

Family

Job

Hobbies

32 years old

American

Savannah, GA

English

Married

Historic Preservation Specialist

Travel blogging with her husband

Meet Sophie

Sophie's Motivations

As a preservationist, I’m passionate about protecting and sustaining the historical significance of cities and cultures. When I travel, I enjoy diving into the local culture and having an authentic, immersive experience. For my upcoming trip to Hawaii, I would like to contribute to the revitalization of the Hawaiian language, by learning Hawaiian and speaking it throughout my trip.

—Sophie

Learn basic Hawaiian
terms and phrases with
her husband

Collaborate

Find a study tool that helps her learn Hawaiian quickly, add words and thoughts, and keeps her motivated

Flexibility

Have simple conversations, order food and ask
for directions like a
native Hawaiian

Conversation

Contribute to society in a meaningful way by revitalizing the
Hawaiian Language

Preservation

strategy

To boost user engagement and encourage a fun, competitive spirit, I created a gamification feature that rewards users for participating and learning Hawaiian.

ideate

During a brainstorming (ideation) session, I sketched rapid iterations and rough concepts for the app based on my research data and gamification strategy.

Motivation and Pace

Since my trip to Hawaii is nearly one year away, staying motivated to learn Hawaiian will be challenging. I need an app that engages my interest over a long period of time and something that allows me to pace myself.

—Sophie

Study Methods

Some apps only focus on one way of learning, which makes language more difficult for me to retain. I learn best by using a variety of study methods. Writing, listening, matching, and repetition work best for me.

—Sophie

Gamification

After completing six lessons
(a whole level), receive a lei. Each lei unlocks a new character for the user’s profile photo.

Lei Levels

Coconuts are earned by completing lessons. Crack them open when a little extra guidance is needed on a word or sentence, and receive a clue.

Coconut Clues

Use a pineapple to skip a question during a quiz or daily challenge. Earn a pineapple when all quiz questions are answered correctly.

Pineapple Pass

architect

After the ideation session, I narrowed my concepts into a possible design solution and developed the site plan and used user stories to check user flows.

Site Map

Task Analysis and User Flow

To ensure users could complete tasks, several user stories, task analyses and user flows were defined and outlined (one example is below).

To ensure users could complete tasks, several user stories, task analyses and user flows were defined and outlined (one example is below).

design

I brought the site map to life, starting with hand-drawn, low-fidelity wireframes and then progressing to mid-fidelity wireframes and prototypes using Figma.

I brought the site map to life, starting with hand-drawn,
low-fidelity wireframes and then progressing to mid-fidelity wireframes and prototypes using Figma.

Low-fidelity Wireframes

usability test

I tested my hand-drawn designs first, so I could quickly identify pain points before moving the design to the computer. The test results and improvements are below.

Usability Test Plan

SCOPE: Test the user flow and overall understanding of the Aloha app.

SCHEDULE: I met with test participants over Zoom, after the wireframes and prototype were created.

SESSIONS: Sessions lasted 15 minutes each and four participants were tested (individually).

EQUIPMENT: I tested with Marvel, using an Apple SE iPhone. No recording took place.

METRICS: I used Jacob-Neilson’s severity ratings for heuristic evaluation.

TEST PARTICIPANTS: I conducted the test with the same individuals from the user interviews, plus one additional individual.

TEST PARTICIPANTS: I conducted the test with the same individuals from the user interviews, plus one additional individual.

TEST QUESTIONS: I created a usability test script, along with a set of scenario tasks for participants to complete.

Usability Test Tasks

Create a profile

1

Identify the menu and
icons on the Home screen

Identify the menu and icons on the Home screen

2

Begin and complete one
vocabulary lesson

3

Complete a "daily warm
up" to earn 2 coconuts

Complete a "daily warm up" to earn 2 coconuts

4

Find a different lesson
to learn

Find a different lesson to learn

5

Add a new word

6

Usability Test Report for Prototype #1

Usability Test Report for Prototype #1

Identify the navigation menu and the icons on the Home screen.

Task #2

The library icon on the home screen wasn’t clear to participants.

Problem

  • Draw the icon on the computer

  • Make it look more like a book

  • Add text under all the tab bar icons

  • Add coach marks during onboarding

Recommendation

Severity Rating: 3

Complete a “daily warm up” exercise to earn two coconuts.

Task #4

The purpose of the sun icon (the daily warm up) wasn’t clear to participants.

Problem

  • Make the “daily warm up” a separate, clear section on Home screen

  • Add coach marks during onboarding to highlight this feature

Recommendation

Severity Rating: 3

Consider using pineapples instead of coconuts in the design.

Suggestion from participant

Pineapples weren’t in the design, but they play a role in Hawaiian culture.

Problem

  • Keep the coconuts, but add pineapples as another game feature

  • Game feature: Pineapple Pass (allows users to skip questions)

Recommendation

Severity Rating: 3

Improvements

Low-fidelity Prototype

Tested early in the design process (in Marvel) to resolve initial pain points

MID-fidelity Prototype

Revised prototype, which incorporates feedback from usability test #1

user interface

The color scheme of the app is fun, vibrant, and colorful, representing the lush, diverse beauty of the Hawaiian Islands. These are my initial design concepts.

retrospective

The was my first UX project. The biggest lesson I learned was during the prototype phase. A couple of the icons that I drew weren’t clear to test participants, and that impacted the test results. At that phase of the design, icons should not have been included. Simple text navigation along the tab bar (which should’ve been there all along), with placeholder boxes for icons would’ve been sufficient for initial testing. Regarding next steps for this product, I would test the mid-fidelity prototype again, make further improvements, then work on the user interface and interactive elements to complete the design.

#00BEBE

#02A7A7

#DCF8F8

#FDCA00

#FFF4CC

Initial Color Palette

#3DC836

#309D2B

#32AE2B

#FF547B

#402C2C

Environmental Mockup

Color values and usage would need further review to ensure ADA compliance.

research

I defined my research goals and methods, and performed user research to empathize with users and better understand behaviors, needs, motivations, and pain points.

Sophie's Goals

Sophie's Challenges

Sophie needs a way to easily learn, retain, add, share, and practice basic words and phrases of the Hawaiian Language because she wants to contribute to the revitalization of the Hawaiian Language. We will know this to be true when we see that Sophie can successfully engage in simple Hawaiian conversations.

Sophie needs a way to easily learn, retain, add, share, and practice basic words and phrases of the Hawaiian Language because she wants to contribute to the revitalization of the Hawaiian Language. We will know this to be true when we see that Sophie can successfully engage in simple Hawaiian conversations.

Sophie needs a way to easily learn, retain, add, share, and practice basic words and phrases of the Hawaiian Language because she wants to contribute to the revitalization of the Hawaiian Language. We will know this to be true when we see that Sophie can successfully engage in simple Hawaiian conversations.

Problem Statement

Problem Statement

Mockup photography is from Unsplash.com.

Typography

When was the last time you learned new vocabulary, or studied something new? Did you succeed? Why or why not?

?

In what circumstances have you used a mobile app for learning? Describe your experience. Is there anything that could have improved your learning experience?

?

Tell me about a time you’ve gotten frustrated while you were learning something new. Why was it frustrating? Is there anything that could have made it easier for you?

?

What study methods work best for you, especially when you’re learning new vocabulary? Why?

?

When you’re learning and memorizing new vocabulary, or studying something new, what keeps you motivated? Why?

?

Understand different learning styles and preferences when it comes to learning new vocabulary

Learning Styles

Understand user preferences regarding rewards and challenges to enhance engagement

Engagement

Understand factors that contribute to users retaining a new language and staying motivated

Language Retention

Determine the features users find most helpful in a vocabulary app when learning a new language

Desired Features

Research Goals

Competitive Analysis

Comparative Analysis

User Interviews

Research Methods

The Hawaiian Language is currently endangered due to historical language suppression and urbanization patterns that led to English becoming the dominant language. Revitalizing the Hawaiian Language and fostering its sustainable use is important for cultural preservation.

Why Learn Hawaiian?

User Interview Research

Open-ended questions

Qualitative insights

Three participants

Conducted in person
and by phone

Sample Interview Questions

Read and write vocabulary

Say and sing it out loud

Use it in a sentence

Complete vocab challenges

Doing

Acknowledge a good job

Help feature

Include context with words

Use vocab for higher goals

Feeling

Clear instructions

Clear navigation and icons

Include repetition

Maintain motivation

Thinking

walkthrough

Experience a walkthrough of the Aloha prototype! This mid-fidelity prototype walks through tasks that fulfill the needs and goals of our persona, Sophie.

Tell me about a time you’ve gotten frustrated while you were learning something new. Why was it frustrating? Is there anything that could have made it easier for you?

?

What study methods work best for you, especially when you’re learning new vocabulary? Why?

?

When you’re learning and memorizing new vocabulary, or studying something new, what keeps you motivated? Why?

?

When was the last time you learned new vocabulary, or studied something new? Did you succeed? Why or why not?

?

In what circumstances have you used a mobile app for learning? Describe your experience. Is there anything that could have improved your learning experience?

?

Hawaiian Words Dictionary

Hawaiian Words and Phrases

Words Booster

Reword

Duolingo

Read and write vocabulary

Say and sing it out loud

Use it in a sentence

Complete vocab challenges

Doing

Acknowledge a good job

Help feature

Include context with words

Use vocab for higher goals

Feeling

Clear instructions

Clear navigation and icons

Include repetition

Maintain motivation

Thinking

Identify the navigation menu and the icons on the Home screen.

Task #2

The library icon on the home screen wasn’t clear to participants.

Problem

  • Draw the icon on the computer

  • Make it look more like a book

  • Add text under all the tab bar icons

  • Add coach marks during onboarding

Recommendation

Severity Rating: 3

Complete a “daily warm up” exercise to earn two coconuts.

Task #4

The purpose of the sun icon (the daily warm up) wasn’t clear to participants.

Problem

  • Make the “daily warm up” a separate, clear section on Home screen

  • Add coach marks during onboarding to highlight this feature

Recommendation

Severity Rating: 3

Consider using pineapples instead of coconuts in the design.

Suggestion from participant

Pineapples weren’t in the design, but they play a role in Hawaiian culture.

Problem

  • Keep the coconuts, but add pineapples as another game feature

  • Game feature: Pineapple Pass (allows users to skip questions)

Recommendation

Severity Rating: 3

© Mary Rose Design 2024

© Mary Rose Design 2024

© Mary Rose Design 2024

© Mary Rose Design 2024

Tell me about a time you’ve gotten frustrated while you were learning something new. Why was it frustrating? Is there anything that could have made it easier for you?

?

What study methods work best for you, especially when you’re learning new vocabulary? Why?

?

When you’re learning and memorizing new vocabulary, or studying something new, what keeps you motivated? Why?

?

When was the last time you learned new vocabulary, or studied something new? Did you succeed? Why or why not?

?

In what circumstances have you used a mobile app for learning? Describe your experience. Is there anything that could have improved your learning experience?

?

Reword

Duolingo

Words Booster

Hawaiian Words and Phrases

Hawaiian Words Dictionary

Read and write vocabulary

Say and sing it out loud

Use it in a sentence

Complete vocab challenges

Doing

Acknowledge a good job

Help feature

Include context with words

Use vocab for higher goals

Feeling

Clear instructions

Clear navigation and icons

Include repetition

Maintain motivation

Thinking

Meet Sophie

Sophie’s Devices

Age

Nationality

Location

Languages

Family

Job

Hobbies

32 years old

American

Savannah, GA

English

Married

Historic Preservation Specialist

Travel blogging with her husband

#00BEBE

#02A7A7

#DCF8F8

#FDCA00

#FFF4CC

#FF547B

#402C2C

#3DC836

#309D2B

#32AE2B

Identify the navigation menu and the icons on the Home screen.

Task #2

The library icon on the home screen wasn’t clear to participants.

Problem

  • Draw the icon on the computer

  • Make it look more like a book

  • Add text under all the tab bar icons

  • Add coach marks during onboarding

Recommendation

Severity Rating: 3

Complete a “daily warm up” exercise to earn two coconuts.

Task #4

The purpose of the sun icon (the daily warm up) wasn’t clear to participants.

Problem

  • Make the “daily warm up” a separate, clear section on Home screen

  • Add coach marks during onboarding to highlight this feature

Recommendation

Severity Rating: 3

Consider using pineapples instead of coconuts in the design.

Suggestion from participant

Pineapples weren’t in the design, but they play a role in Hawaiian culture.

Problem

  • Keep the coconuts, but add pineapples as another game feature

  • Game feature: Pineapple Pass (allows users to skip questions)

Recommendation

Severity Rating: 3

SCOPE: Test the user flow and overall understanding of the Aloha app.

SCHEDULE: I met with test participants over Zoom, after the wireframes and prototype were created.

SESSIONS: Sessions lasted 15 minutes each and four participants were tested (individually).

EQUIPMENT: I tested with Marvel, using an Apple SE iPhone. No recording took place.

METRICS: I used Jacob-Neilson’s severity ratings for heuristic evaluation.

TEST PARTICIPANTS:

I conducted the test with the same individuals from the user interviews, plus one additional individual.

TEST QUESTIONS:

I created a usability test script, along with a set of scenario tasks for participants to complete.

Aloha Vocabulary
App

My RoLE

Designed For

Project type

Duration

UX Designer

1 month

Native App

UX Immersive

Primary Tools

Figma, Marvel

research

I defined my research goals and methods, and performed user research to empathize with users and better understand behaviors, needs, motivations, and pain points.

analyze

I collected and sorted the data from my research to gain valuable insights that helped me make informed, user-centric design decisions.

Hawaiian Words Dictionary

Hawaiian Words and Phrases

Words Booster


Reword

Duolingo

synthesize

To generate empathy, I created a persona to define the primary user’s motivations, goals, and challenges. I also formulated problem and hypothesis statements.

Devices

Age

Nationality

Location

Languages

Family

Job

Hobbies

32 years old

American

Savannah, GA

English

Married

Historic Preservation Specialist

Travel blogging with her husband

strategy

To boost user engagement and encourage a fun, competitive spirit, I created a gamification feature that rewards users for participating and learning Hawaiian.

ideate

During a brainstorming (ideation) session, I sketched rapid iterations and rough concepts for the app based on my research data and gamification strategy.

architect

After the ideation session, I narrowed my concepts into a possible design solution and developed the site plan and used user stories to check user flows.

design

I brought the site map to life, starting with hand-drawn,
low-fidelity wireframes and then progressing to mid-fidelity wireframes and prototypes using Figma.

usability test

I tested my hand-drawn designs first, so I could quickly identify pain points before moving the design to the computer. The test results and improvements are below.

SCOPE: Test the user flow and overall understanding of the Aloha app.

SCHEDULE: I met with test participants over Zoom, after the wireframes and prototype were created.

SESSIONS: Sessions lasted 15 minutes each and four participants were tested (individually).

EQUIPMENT: I tested with Marvel, using an Apple SE iPhone. No recording took place.

METRICS: I used Jacob-Neilson’s severity ratings for heuristic evaluation.

TEST PARTICIPANTS: I conducted the test with the same individuals from the user interviews, plus one additional individual.

TEST QUESTIONS: I created a usability test script, along with a set of scenario tasks for participants to complete.

Create a profile

1

Identify the menu and icons on the Home screen

2

Begin and complete one
vocabulary lesson

3

Complete a "daily warm up" to earn 2 coconuts

4

Find a different lesson to learn

5

Add a new word

6

  • Low-fidelity Prototype

    Tested early in the design process (in Marvel) to resolve initial pain points

  • MID-fidelity Prototype

    Revised prototype, which incorporates feedback from usability test #1

  • Severity Rating: 3

    Identify the navigation menu and the icons on the Home screen.

    Task #2

    The library icon on the home screen wasn’t clear to participants.

    Problem

    • Draw the icon on the computer

    • Make it look more like a book

    • Add text under all the tab bar icons

    • Add coach marks during onboarding

    Recommendation

  • Severity Rating: 3

    Complete a “daily warm up” exercise to earn two coconuts.

    Task #4

    The purpose of the sun icon (the daily warm up) wasn’t clear to participants.

    Problem

    • Make the “daily warm up” a separate, clear section on Home screen

    • Add coach marks during onboarding to highlight this feature

    Recommendation

  • Severity Rating: 3

    Consider using pineapples instead of coconuts in the design.

    Suggestion from participant

    Pineapples weren’t in the design, but they play a role in Hawaiian culture.

    Problem

    • Keep the coconuts, but add pineapples as another game feature

    • Game feature: Pineapple Pass (allows users to skip questions)

    Recommendation

user interface

The color scheme of the app is fun, vibrant, and colorful, representing the lush, diverse beauty of the Hawaiian Islands. These are my initial design concepts.

#00BEBE

#02A7A7

#DCF8F8

#FF547B

#402C2C

#FDCA00

#FFF4CC

#3DC836

#309D2B

#32AE2B

walkthrough

Experience a walkthrough of the Aloha prototype! This mid-fidelity prototype walks through tasks that fulfill the needs and goals of our persona, Sophie.

  • Competitive Analysis

  • Comparative Analysis

  • User Interviews

  • Tell me about a time you’ve gotten frustrated while you were learning something new. Why was it frustrating? Is there anything that could have made it easier for you?

    ?

  • What study methods work best for you, especially when you’re learning new vocabulary? Why?

    ?

  • When you’re learning and memorizing new vocabulary, or studying something new, what keeps you motivated? Why?

    ?

  • When was the last time you learned new vocabulary, or studied something new? Did you succeed? Why or why not?

    ?

  • In what circumstances have you used a mobile app for learning? Describe your experience. Is there anything that could have improved your learning experience?

    ?

  • Participant #1

    It helps to read vocabulary and repeat it out loud. Singing songs works, too, and any kind of repetition.

  • Participant #2

    I write down the word and say the word, or use it in a sentence. It helps to have challenges of what I just learned, too.

  • Participant #3

    Reading articles helps me the most when I learn new vocabulary. Apps also help because they’re most accessible.

  • Read and write vocabulary

    Say and sing it out loud

    Use it in a sentence

    Complete vocab challenges

    Doing

  • Acknowledge a good job

    Help feature

    Include context with words

    Use vocab for higher goals

    Feeling

  • Clear instructions

    Clear navigation and icons

    Include repetition

    Maintain motivation

    Thinking

Open-ended questions

Qualitative insights

Three participants

Conducted in person & phone

  • Motivation and Pace

    Since my trip to Hawaii is nearly one year away, staying motivated to learn Hawaiian will be challenging. I need an app that engages my interest over a long period of time and something that allows me to pace myself.

    —Sophie

  • Study Methods

    Some apps only focus on one way of learning, which makes language more difficult for me to retain. I learn best by using a variety of study methods. Writing, listening, matching, and repetition work best for me.

    —Sophie