Research Highlights

  • Crafted open-ended interview questions

    Gathered qualitative insights

    Extracted key takeaways from interviews

    Mapped insights into an affinity diagram

    User Interview Process:

  • Analyzed two Hawaiian language apps

    Reviewed three vocabulary apps

    Read through online app reviews

    Studied flashcard feature designs

    Competitive Analysis Process:

Research Findings

Research revealed that learners benefit most from reading, writing, speaking, and using words in context. They value encouragement, clarity, and intuitive navigation, with motivation as a recurring theme. In contrast, existing Hawaiian language apps were poorly designed and often inaccurate, underscoring both a gap in the market and the need for a culturally respectful, well-executed solution.

  • 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

  • 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.

Usability Test Report for Prototype #1

Mid-fidelity Wireframes

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

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

Low-fidelity Wireframes

Home Screen Improvements

Before

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

After

Revised prototype, which incorporates feedback from usability test #1

next steps

Next steps would include re-testing the mid-fidelity prototype, making improvements based on user feedback to strengthen both user experience and business outcomes. From there, I would refine the user interface and interactive elements to polish the design, then launch a pilot release to gather real engagement data—iterating the design to optimize conversion, retention, and overall lifetime value.

Initial Color Palette

Environmental Mockup

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

Logo and Typography

Examine learning styles and preferences for acquiring new vocabulary

Examine learning
styles and preferences
for acquiring
new vocabulary

Examine learning
styles and preferences
for acquiring
new vocabulary

Learning Styles

Learning Styles

Learning Styles

Uncover what motivates users to enhance engagement

Engagement

Engagement

Engagement

Explore key factors that help users retain a new language

Retention

Retention

Retention

Discover the features that users find most effective for learning new vocabulary

Desired Features

Desired Features

Desired Features

Research Goals

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?

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?

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?

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?

© Mary Rose Design 2025

© Mary Rose Design 2025

© Mary Rose Design 2025

© Mary Rose Design 2025

Overview

Using a flashcard learning approach,
I designed a native app that empowers people to learn the Hawaiian Language. My design process and the case study are outlined below.

MY ROLE

UX Designer

DESIGNED FOR

UX Immersive

PROJECT TYPE

Native App

DURATION

1 month

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. Highlights of my research are below.

SYNTHESIZE

I synthesized my research into a persona, outlining the primary user’s motivations, goals, and challenges, along with problem and hypothesis statements.

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 session, I sketched rapid iterations and rough concepts for the app based on my research data and gamification strategy.

ARCHITECT

After ideation, I refined my concepts into a design solution, developed the site plan, and used user stories to validate the user flow.

DESIGN

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

USABILITY TEST

I developed a usability test plan and tested my hand-drawn designs first, so I could quickly identify pain points before moving the design to the computer. Feedback was evaluated using Jakob Nielsen's scale.

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.

WALKTHROUGH

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

Aloha, Hawaiian Language App

Aloha, Hawaiian Language App

Competitive Analysis

Comparative Analysis

User Interviews

Research Methods

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

Learn basic Hawaiian
terms and phrases with
her husband

Learn basic Hawaiian
terms and phrases with her husband

Learn basic Hawaiian
terms and phrases with her husband

Collaborate

Find a tool to learn Hawaiian quickly, add words, and stay motivated

Find a tool to learn Hawaiian quickly,
add words, and
stay motivated

Find a tool to learn Hawaiian quickly,
add words, and
stay motivated

Flexible Learning

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

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

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

Conservation

Contribute to society by revitalizing the
Hawaiian Language

Preservation

Sophie's Goals

Sophie's Challenges

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

#00BEBE

#02A7A7

#DCF8F8

#FDCA00

#FFF4CC

#3DC836

#309D2B

#32AE2B

#FF547B

#402C2C

#FDCA00

#FFF4CC

#3DC836

#309D2B

#32AE2B

#FF547B

#402C2C

Research Highlights

Research revealed that learners benefit most from reading, writing, speaking, and using words in context. They value encouragement, clarity, and intuitive navigation, with motivation as a recurring theme. In contrast, existing Hawaiian language apps were poorly designed and often inaccurate, underscoring both a gap in the market and the need for a culturally respectful, well-executed solution.

Research Highlights

Crafted open-ended interview questions

Gathered qualitative insights

Extracted key takeaways from interviews

Mapped insights into an affinity map

User Interview Process:

Analyzed two Hawaiian language apps

Reviewed three vocabulary apps

Read through online app reviews

Studied flashcard feature designs

Competitive Analysis Process:

Findings

Process

Research Highlights

Research revealed that learners benefit most from reading, writing, speaking, and using words in context. They value encouragement, clarity, and intuitive navigation, with motivation as a recurring theme. In contrast, existing Hawaiian language apps were poorly designed and often inaccurate, underscoring both a gap in the market and the need for a culturally respectful, well-executed solution.

Research Highlights

Crafted open-ended interview questions

Gathered qualitative insights

Extracted key takeaways from interviews

Mapped insights into an affinity map

User Interview Process:

Analyzed two Hawaiian language apps

Reviewed three vocabulary apps

Read through online app reviews

Studied flashcard feature designs

Competitive Analysis Process:

Findings

Process

  • 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

  • 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.

User Flow

Site Map

User Flow

Site Map

#FF547B

#402C2C

#FDCA00

#FFF4CC

Sophie’s Devices

Devices

Age

Nationality

Location

Languages

Family

Family

Job

Hobbies

32 years old

32 years old

American

Savannah, GA

Savannah, GA

English

Married

Married

Historic Preservation Specialist

Travel blogging with her husband

Meet Sophie

  • 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

  • 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.

Research Highlights

Crafted open-ended interview questions

Gathered qualitative insights

Extracted key takeaways from interviews

Mapped insights into an affinity diagram

User Interview Process:

Analyzed two Hawaiian language apps

Reviewed three vocabulary apps

Read through online app reviews

Studied flashcard feature designs

Competitive Analysis Process:

Research Highlights

Research revealed that learners benefit most from reading, writing, speaking, and using words in context. They value encouragement, clarity, and intuitive navigation, with motivation as a recurring theme. In contrast, existing Hawaiian language apps were poorly designed and often inaccurate, underscoring both a gap in the market and the need for a culturally respectful, well-executed solution.

Findings

Process

Findings

Process

Research Highlights

Crafted open-ended interview questions

Gathered qualitative insights

Extracted key takeaways from interviews

Mapped insights into an affinity diagram

User Interview Process:

Analyzed two Hawaiian language apps

Reviewed three vocabulary apps

Read through online app reviews

Studied flashcard feature designs

Competitive Analysis Process:

Research Highlights

Research revealed that learners benefit most from reading, writing, speaking, and using words in context. They value encouragement, clarity, and intuitive navigation, with motivation as a recurring theme. In contrast, existing Hawaiian language apps were poorly designed and often inaccurate, underscoring both a gap in the market and the need for a culturally respectful, well-executed solution.

Findings

Process

Findings

Process

User Flow

Site Map

User Flow

Site Map

User Flow

Site Map

  • 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

  • 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.

UC and Wellness Responsive Web App

NEXT Project

Portfolio / UX DESIGN

ANTICIPATED RESULTS

ANTICIPATED
RESULTS

Although this was a sprint project, here are the anticipated results the Aloha app would likely achieve if launched, based on my research, design, and usability testing.

Acquisition would be
boosted by 15% through improved onboarding and value messaging.

Acquisition

User retention would be increased by 20% at 30 days through gamification, driving higher lifetime value.

Retention

Free-to-paid conversion would be raised by 5–8% through progress tracking and unlockable features.

Paid Subscriptions

Business Impact

User Outcomes

Quiz accuracy would be raised from 60% to 85%, improving language retention.

Learning

Usability errors would be reduced by 50%, as a result of key tasks and navigation being more intuitive.

Usability Errors

User satisfaction would be increased to an average rating of 4.5/5.

Satisfaction