Conventional language learning applications give learners sentences that they would rarely use in daily life. At best, these apps provide topical sentences that you have to frantically search through when put in a spot. Travelingo is a situational language learning application that detects your location and suggests topics that you might need to use, teaching you the phrases that matter the most in everyday life situations.
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Details
Tools: Figma ​
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Timeline: 7 days
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Project type: Solo project
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Skills: UIUX, UX writing, wireframing
Project summary
As part of the module UIT2201 (Computer Science & the I.T. Revolution), the brief is to create an app from start to finish, taking into account various elements from the frontend to the backend. While minimal coding was done, the aim was to gain a conceptual understanding of the backend while creating the front end. Using my intimate experience of struggling in Paris to learn the French language through daily situations, I created an app that addresses the common issues with language learning apps.
Regardless of whether you are a novice or a pro in the language, enter your favorite places you visit regularly for a tailored experience.
A customised experience
A customised experience is created for users when they are onboarded
Phrases for different situations are methodically categorised for easy reference
Simple and intuitive UI
No more panicking and wrecking your brains to remember phrases, phrases have been arranged according to the way you experience the place. Rest assured that you'll always find the phrase you need with the search and the translation feature.
Prepare ahead of time
Already know where you will be visit? Search for the place you are going to anticipate potential situations you might run into and be prepared useful phrases ahead of time!
Plan the phrases you will need before you go to an area
Process
According to The United Nations-based World Tourism Organisation, cultural tourism is on the rise, with nearly 40% of international travelers seeking immersive experiences in different cultures. While English is widely used, relying solely on it limits the depth of these experiences, as many people globally don't speak it. Learning the local language can enhance cultural immersion. Authentic encounters often lie beyond touristy spots, requiring language skills. However, extensive language learning or long-term stays aren't feasible for many. This gap presents an opportunity to develop a product or service that facilitates authentic cultural experiences without the need for extensive language study or prolonged stays.
“The limits of my language mean the limits of my world.”
- Ludwig Wittgenstein
Benchmarking
Benchmarking the existing solutions gave rise to two valuable opportunities
How might we attract both casual and serious language learners alike?
There is an opportunity to resolve the huge tension between being required to invest huge amounts of time to learn a language and desiring to have an impromptu trip with local experiences?
There is an opportunity that lies between the current solutions that are only either digital or physical.
How might we create a phygital solution ?
Firstly, my solution has to accommodate transient users who want to enjoy the local experiences without dedicating hours of time to study the language.
Secondly, my solution should also cater to those who are in for the long haul and are willing to invest more time into learning the language.
Persona
Determining dataset collection
With the idea that my app intends to suggest the most appropriate phrases in various situations, I look out for what data to collect that will affirm whether what I have suggested based on the location is the most appropriate. This helps with optimising the efficacy of my solution.
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Wireframing
I sketched out the main screens and interactions that would take place to build a scaffold of my solution.
User flow
I elaborated on my wireframe to create separate user flows of the main interactions in my solution.
Low-fi prototype
I tested my low-fi prototype with users to identify and rectify problematic interactions and refine UX writing.
Hi-fi prototype
Animations and refined interactions were added to increase the fidelity of the prototype. I also added tiny touches like the ability to participate in daily quizes to engage and retain users, and potential expansion of this app by adding other cities.
