Sketchcards
Learning new vocabulary is a lifelong task.
In school, we study for tests like the SATs. In the workplace we pick up industry jargon. And in everyday life, we may need to absorb new terms when we participate in hobbies or learn a foreign language. In the past, people used paper flash cards. But what if people want a modern, fun and easy way to retain words and their meanings?
The Sketchcards app aids visual learners by asking users to sketch their interpretation of the word.
The Sketchcards app makes it quick and easy to add and pull up words and their definitions.
Role: Product Designer
Objective: Identify the problems people face when they have to learn new vocabulary. Design a mobile app that will help people learn faster and retain words and meanings.
Purpose and Context: Sketchcards is a mobile app prototype I designed for the Introduction to UX program at CareerFoundry in November 2020.
User Research and Findings
I interviewed 4 people who were students or working professionals, who had to learn new vocabulary on a regular basis, about their habits and successes and frustrations.
Key takeaways: - Visual learning helps people associate words with meanings. Learning is easier when there are visual cues to the vocabulary words.
- Repetition helps in committing terms to memory. "The more times you can repeat, the higher the success rate."
- Learning is more effective when it is interactive rather than passive; people like to express creativity and receive feedback.
- Lack of time is a common frustration. People lead busy lives and need solutions that can fit into the pockets of free time they have.
Based on these findings, I created a user persona who needed to memorize terms quickly, but lacked the ability to sit down and study for a long span of time.
Content Style Guide
Sketchcards’ voice is encouraging, friendly and helpful.
Since our app is for people studying new vocabulary on the go, our copy needs to be accessible and succinct.
Do:
Use short sentences.
Use upbeat words such as “easily” and “improve.”
Aim for positive reinforcement on button text.
Don’t:
Do not be wordy.
Do not use complicated instructions.
Information Architecture
Task 1: Add New Word to Deck
Entry Point: User opens app
Success Criteria: User has added new word along with definition and drawing
Open App
Log in or sign up and onboard
Click "+ Word" from menu
Type in word
Select meaning from online-generated results or manually type in own meaning
Sketch own picture as visual reminder
Click submit
New word added - Success!
Initial Wireframe Prototype
Task: Viewing the intro
Success Criteria: User has added new word along with definition and drawing
Initial Wireframe Prototype
Task: Add a new word to the vocabulary deck
Uh oh—Usability testing reveals pain points
Four usability tests were conducted using my Sketchcards prototype. Participants were asked to complete tasks while using Zoom and sharing their screen as they clicked through the prototype.
Tasks included: Going through the app intro, signing up, adding a word to the vocabulary bank, and reviewing flash cards in the deck. Findings were:
Introduction only lets one go forward. Clicking "Next" feels cumbersome.
"Study Reminder" wording is unclear about call to action.
Sketching screen looks cluttered and not all tools seem useful.
Sketchcards review screen has insufficient buttons.
Let’s Fix ‘Em!
Task 1: Change "Next" buttons to Swipe function
Task 2: Clarify what "Study Reminder" page means
Task 3: Enlarged sketchpad, removed paintbrush tool, added color swatch and eraser tool and swapped "Undo" with "Clear" button
Task 4: Changed "I know!" to "Got it!" Also added "Skip," "Reveal" and "Done" buttons
Conclusion
Reflection: My goal in designing this app was to provide people with a new way to learn words and meanings—through visual learning and by encouraging people to use their creativity.
As this was my first completed mobile app prototype, there was a steep learning curve and the biggest challenge was making this app accessible yet sophisticated to accommodate a wide range of people.
I am proud to have created a prototype that is fun and playful while helping people accomplish educational goals. My next step is to create a higher-fidelity prototype with more developed features.
Possible Future Features
Share Function - Connect with a friend and share Sketchcards!
Rewards and Badges - Earn badges and unlock goals!
Contact: koryktran (at) gmail.com