Key Takeaways:

1. Motivations to improve foreign language vocabulary include: work, travel and personal relationships.
2. Everyone learns by different methods for different timeframes. The app might have personalization features.

Personas

A Proto persona helped hypothesize the goals, needs, and pain points of target users.

User Stories

Getting to know the user helped determine which features were needed in the app.

User Story #1 As a busy traveler, I don’t have a lot of time for structured learning, so the ability to quiz myself on vocabulary when I have a few minutes of downtime is the ideal way for me to learn.

User Story #2 As a frequent international traveler, I would love to be able to catalog specific words instead of having to look them up repeatedly, so that I could efficiently reference them anytime.

Features:
1. Begin study session
2. Add word to library

Hypothesis

I needed a way to measure success of the end product.

By developing a vocabulary application with functionalities including new word discovery, cataloging and quizing, Henry will be able to better communicate with the locals when he visits foreign countries.

We will know this is true when Henry has the ability have a successful interaction with someone using his foreign language vocabulary.

User Flows

Next it was time to formulate the website architecture.

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Wireframes

Moving from low to mid fidelity wireframes I realized ways to make the features flow better.

In the study session feature, I ended up adding two stages of the flashcard screen to provide clarity on how this flow would work.
*It actually changed again after user testing, but more on that later.*

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Usability Testing

Testing with volunteers revealed issues.

Tools & Techniques:
Marvel (to facilitate the test)
J. Neilsen’s Error Severity Rating
Usability Test Report

Questions Asked During Test

• How would you save the German translation for the word “bicycle”?
• How would you look up the word “allergy” to notify a German speaking waiter you have one?
• Complete a study session for German vocabulary word including “People” and “Exercise” categories.

One Page from the Report:

Key Takeaways:

• Users were thrown off by being asked to complete new physical tasks, so it was important to make these more familiar to them.
• Word choice had to be changed to be more recognizable.
• It also became necessary to add screens to flows in some cases. This increased clarity, so, even though it added taps, it was worth it to the user's understanding and enjoyment.

Changes Made to Study Flow:

"Swipe" to reveal answer was changed to "tap"
"Swipe" to sort into piles was changed to a sliding bar

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Logo & Branding

The look must motivate adult learners without too many distracting elements.

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Alocal is a customizable tool to support foreign language learning.

Anyone who has been in a foreign place without knowing a word of the language has probably wished they took the time even to learn just basic words and greetings.

Alocal’s aim is to support people on their journey to learn a foreign language no matter their skill level by focusing in on the most basic aspect of language - words. Since the library is completely personalizable, the vocabulary words within the app will be tailored for every individual’s unique needs. Users can rely on the word library as only a reference, or they can push themselves to memorize new words through study sessions.

Experience Live Prototype