Year
2020
My Role
Founder, Interaction Design, Visual Design, Strategy, Product Management, App Store Optimization, Analytics, User Support
ENG is a mobile app that makes learning English fun and effective through gamified daily practice. It teaches the top 1,000 most common English words, introducing five new words each day to help users master 300+ words in two months. As the sole designer, I led ideation, research, design, copywriting, and business management. With localization in 12 languages, ENG simplifies language learning for a global audience.
Challenge
Learning English can be overwhelming, especially for non-native speakers who face an abundance of resources that are often unstructured, time-consuming, or unengaging. Many learners struggle to stay consistent and motivated, leading to slow progress and frustration.
Solution
ENG addresses these challenges by providing a focused, gamified approach to learning English vocabulary. The app teaches users the top 1,000 most common English words by introducing just five new words each day, ensuring consistent progress without overwhelming the learner.
Approach
The design process for ENG focused on creating an engaging and effective language-learning experience that fits seamlessly into users' daily lives. Key steps included:
User Research: Conducted interviews with language learners to understand their pain points, motivations, and preferred learning methods.
Competitive Analysis: Analyzed existing language apps to identify gaps and opportunities for differentiation.
Ideation: Explored gamified approaches to simplify vocabulary learning and keep users motivated with achievable daily goals.
Wireframes & Prototyping: Developed and tested multiple iterations of the user flow and gameplay to ensure clarity and usability.
Localization: Designed the app to support 12 languages, ensuring accessibility for a global audience.
Visual Design: Created a clean, vibrant interface to foster an intuitive and enjoyable experience.
Every design decision was informed by user feedback and driven by the goal of delivering a solution that balances simplicity, engagement, and measurable outcomes.
Outcome
ENG demonstrated the potential of gamified learning to engage users and simplify complex tasks like language acquisition. The app’s success in Korea and Germany highlighted the importance of localization and cultural relevance in product design.
Despite not achieving widespread adoption, ENG received high praise from its loyal users, earning a 4.8-star rating and recognition for its intuitive and enjoyable experience. This project provided key takeaways about designing for niche audiences, prioritizing scalability, and balancing creative ambition with business realities, lessons that continue to inform my approach to designing impactful user experiences.
The App Store screens for ENG are designed to effectively communicate the app's core value proposition, features, and benefits while appealing to a global audience. The visuals are bright and engaging, complemented by concise and clear messaging to attract potential users.
The first screen introduces ENG as the ultimate tool for learning English vocabulary. With the headline "Learn English with ENG: Top 1000 Words," it immediately conveys the app’s focus and its goal to help users build their vocabulary efficiently and effectively.
The second screen highlights ENG’s simple and practical approach to learning. It showcases how users can master five new words a day through interactive games and lessons that fit seamlessly into their daily routines. The combination of visuals and text emphasizes the app’s ease of use and gamified design.
The third screen showcases the app’s ability to keep users motivated with daily challenges. The visuals emphasize the fun quizzes and memory games that make the learning process both engaging and rewarding. The copy reinforces the idea that learning English with ENG is consistent yet enjoyable.
On the forth screen, the focus shifts to progress tracking and personalization. Users are shown how they can monitor their journey, from Beginner to Advanced, while reviewing their difficult words and celebrating achievements. This screen positions ENG as not just a learning tool but a motivating companion.
The user flow for ENG is thoughtfully designed to guide users through an intuitive and engaging language-learning experience. The journey begins with onboarding, where users select their native language and learn about the app’s methodology. This step ensures users understand the focus on mastering five new English words daily through gamified exercises.
After onboarding, users are taken to the home screen, which encourages them to start their daily practice. The flow emphasizes simplicity, with a clear call-to-action to begin practicing new words immediately.
During the practice sessions, users engage with various interactive exercises, such as multiple-choice questions, typing challenges, and matching games. These activities are designed to reinforce vocabulary retention while maintaining a fun and engaging learning experience.
Once users complete their practice for the day, they are presented with a progress summary, which includes feedback on correct and incorrect answers. The app also provides opportunities for users to review and strengthen difficult words, ensuring consistent improvement over time.
The subscription and reward system is seamlessly integrated into the flow, encouraging users to unlock premium features while maintaining access to free content. This balance ensures accessibility while offering added value to committed learners.
Finally, the app’s tracking and analytics features allow users to monitor their cumulative progress, motivating them to continue learning and achieving milestones. The overall user flow is designed to keep learners engaged while making vocabulary acquisition easy and rewarding.
