Student Project
YúLearn
Platform
Mobile app
ROLE
UI/UX Designer
EXPERTISE
UI | Design Systems
Screens
13
YEAR
2024
YùLearn: Explore Asian Languages Through History, Culture, and Character Writing
YùLearn is a language app for Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Korean. This app not only teaches reading and writing but also delves into the origins and cultural significance of Chinese characters.
The purpose was to create a mobile app for iOS and Android that focuses on a specific user problem.
Chinese characters have a rich history which not many people know about and I wanted to create an app that teaches language and history in a fun and engaging way. Users will be able to get familiar with a language of there choice and learn to write characters correctly with a step by step writing tool within this app.
Opportunity
Imagine an app that opens the door to the rich and diverse world of East Asian languages. This innovative language app not only teaches you how to read and write but also immerses you in the cultural heritage behind each Chinese character.
Each character often started as a simple drawing representing an object or idea. Over time, these drawings evolved into complex symbols, each with a story to tell.
User-Centered Design from Research to High-Fidelity Prototypes
Approach
Analyzing the market and comparing similar/competitor apps
Figuring out the needs and niche that’s not been filled
Implementing Android and and iOS specific elements
Low and mid fidelity screens
High fidelity designs and prototyping
Testing prototype on users
Key features
Onboarding - The onboarding flow will help the user to customize their lessons
Engaging lesson structure - Listening, speaking and line tracing exercises to keep the user motivated
Solution - Personalized Onboarding and Gamified Learning for Better Engagement
YúLearn offers a smooth onboarding experience that identifies each user's language fluency and preferred time commitment, helping create a personalized learning schedule. Lessons are gamified to keep the journey enjoyable and motivating. Interactive line exercises support character recognition and practice, making learning both educational and fun.
Platform-Native UI with Intuitive Onboarding and Multi-Modal Lessons
Minimal Learning Curve
The app is instantly familiar, designed with both Android and iPhone users in mind by adhering to Material Design and iOS Human Interface Guidelines.
Simple and Clear Onboarding
Getting started takes just a few taps—users quickly choose their proficiency level and time commitment.
Engaging, Multi-Modal Lessons
Lessons keep users motivated with a mix of interactive methods including speaking, listening, line tracing, and cultural insights.
Conclusion
The YùLearn project embodies a thoughtful fusion of language education, cultural awareness, and interactive design. By thoughtfully guiding users through personalized onboarding, crafting gamified lessons, and incorporating multi-modal learning exercises, I designed an app that helps users progress confidently while connecting with the cultural roots of each character.
Key outcomes:
Tailored onboarding that captures learners' fluency level and ideal study time for greater motivation
Engaging mix of speaking, listening, and tracing activities that keep users actively learning
Cultural context embedded in lessons, deepening understanding and driving long-term retention
What I Learned
How to balance depth (cultural storytelling) with approachability in UX
Optimizing native iOS and Android patterns to maintain visual consistency and intuitive flow
The value of iterative usability testing to ensure exercises like tracing and speaking met users' needs
Next Steps & Future Vision
To build on this foundation, I would:
Expand language offerings and character scripts (e.g., Japanese kana, hanja)
Enhance progress tracking with spaced repetition and challenges
Implement community-led features like peer-review of handwriting and conversational practice
