Teaching Chinese Through Gamification Triggers
Chinese is a complex language with a steep learn curve due to being a pictographic language with phonetics outside of Western scope. Hanzi’s purpose is to offer a mix of useful habits, cultural assets, cognitive rewards & triggers to boost learning.
Methodologies and Data
The Hanzi project utilized a mixed methodology, integrating the Double Diamond framework, Elements of UX Design, and Gamification by Design. To drive impactful design, informed decisions were made based on analyzed competitor app data (e.g., Duolingo, HelloChinese, Habitica). This data collection resulted in positive impacts on engagement through optimized gamification and socialization features.
User Flow and Site Map
Building a sitemap helped us conceptualize the general structure of the platform while visualizing all the steps of the process. This artifact was extremely important to develop the first prototypes, test user flows and validate interaction.
App Prototypes
Hanzi was finalized with the packaging of the high fidelity screens and interactive prototypes. In total, there were more than 50 screens with dozens of variations and items to be scaled into the roadmap.
Illustrations and UI Details
Hanzi’s aesthetic was based on cultural aspects of China, considering imperial colors and leveraging contrast for a good reading experience. Usage of red in contrast with yellow mostly on white (light) scenarios made a better text hierarchy possible, alongside the culture-inspired illustrations and icons.
