UX Design
LeLa App
Language Learning with a Focus on Conversation Skills and Personalized Vocabulary
About
Industry
Language
Role
UX Designer (solo)
Duration
3 weeks
This project aimed to design a mobile app for learning new vocabulary. While existing language-learning apps often provide standardized content with little emphasis on active language use, the LeLa app focuses on personalized learning and practical exercises by prioritizing spoken language and individual vocabulary.
I followed a systematic approach, starting with competitor analysis, then progressing through user research, persona development, journey mapping, and user flows. After identifying the users' most important needs, goals, and tasks, I moved on to wireframing, prototyping, and usability testing. To conclude, I reviewed my process and thought about the next potential steps.
Design Process
Emphatize
Competitive Analysis
Duolingo
Quizlet
Cabuu
Take-Aways
Visually pleasing UI and an intuitive UX is key
Individualization of vocabulary or collections of words/topics are meaningful
Everyday use is motivated through entertainment, gamification, and rewards
None of these apps practices advanced spoken language or conversations
User Research
Now it was time to understand the user. To gain valuable insights my next step was to conduct a qualitative user research.
Research Goals
Better understanding of needs and behaviors while learning new language
Determination of tasks users would like to complete using an language learning app
Documentation of user pain points with existing language learning apps
Collection of data on the context in which users like to learn a new language via app
User Interviews
3
participants
20–30 years old
< 20
minutes
8
open-ended
questions
Key Insights + User Needs
The interviews helped me understand the problem and highlighted opportunities by providing important insights. They outlined the potential users, identified their needs, and pinpointed their pain points, which shaped my following proto-persona.
Define
Proto-Persona
The next step was the creation of a composite picture based on real user research data from the target group. The proto-persona was important to help understand needs, experiences, behaviors, and goals of the potential user and put myself into user perspective.
User Stories
As a product manager, I need an app that teaches me business English with industry-focused vocabulary.
As a person with long stressful working hours, I need an app that is distracting and entertaining and is best used during my commute or in between.
As an impatient and quickly bored person, I need an app with short versatile excercises including different senses and learning styles.
As a person with a progress-oriented mind, I need an app in which I can reward my achievements.
Job Stories
When I am starting a new job, I want to be able to speak and understand my new colleagues and clients perfectly and want provide them professional outcome of my work.
I would like to be able to speak to new people spontaneously, freely and ideally without using any accents, so that I can quickly make connections.
Problem Statement + Hypothesis
Ideate
Information Architecture
To ensure the best user experience, user flows were built based on a task analysis, which revealed the logical sequence of actions a user might take. This emphasized the importance of implementing intuitive navigation and providing a straightforward path for completing tasks.
Prototype
Wireframes + Prototyping
After studying the user flows I created for my app, I sketched out low-fidelity wireframes on paper.
With these wireframes in hand, I built an initial prototype. The priority was to create clean and simple user flows – for the basic functions like sign up and onboarding, and for both defined user flows.
Test
Usability Testing
Objectives
Observe user navigation and identify usability issues
Determine user effectiveness with provided tools and exercise styles
3
moderated sessions
2 remote | 1 in-person
10-15
minutes
4
scenario tasks
Observations were rated by Jakob Nielsen’s Error Severity Rating Scale to prioritize follow-up revisions starting with correcting the most severe errors.
Revisions
Revision #1
Separation of home screen and dashboard
Revision of the home screen
--> Logo at the top of the page and short links e.g. to “Start where I left off" belowInclusion of dashboard under user profile
Revision #2
Adjustment of the main menu
--> Added a home buttonReplacement of schedule and settings under profile
Revision of all icons throughout the app
Revision #3
Combination of library and themes under library
Addition of buttons to search or create new themes and topics
Addition of a filter bar on the left to prioritize topics
Further Revisions
Included more options in the login/sign-up screen
--> Fast lane with Google, Apple, Facebook accountAdded a follow-up test after completing individual onboarding
--> Verification of language levelEased the user flow of creating own flashcards
--> Autofill option + editable list of flashcards + filterModified all headers and headlines as needed
--> Better orientationAdded back and forward buttons where necessary
--> Ease of navigationAdded confirmations and updated user flows
Further revisions addressed lower-severity issues, focusing on easier navigation and improved. This resulted in the second version of the low-fidelity prototype with updated user flows.
Conclusion
Summary
I gained valuable insights into research methods and innovative approaches to problem-solving. During my analysis of vocabulary apps and competitors, I discovered that many users lack effective tools for practicing spoken language. This highlights the importance of active user research in building a deep understanding of the product and developing effective solutions. Creating low-fidelity wireframes allowed for quick testing, emphasizing the importance of clear representation. Usability tests and clear communication were key to refining the user experience, information architecture, and user flows. As the design process is not linear and requires multiple iterations of prototypes, my next step is to develop mid- and high-fidelity prototypes to further optimize the interface and accessibility.