Building My Ssaem mobile apps for better learning experience

Building My Ssaem mobile apps for better learning experience

Building My Ssaem mobile apps for better learning experience

Building My Ssaem mobile apps for better learning experience

Learning a new language is often repetitive and lacks context. My Ssaem bridges the gap between entertainment and education, allowing users to learn Korean naturally through the K-Pop, K-Dramas, and Webtoons they already love.

Learning a new language is often repetitive and lacks context. My Ssaem bridges the gap between entertainment and education, allowing users to learn Korean naturally through the K-Pop, K-Dramas, and Webtoons they already love.

Company

Company

My Ssaem

My Ssaem

Role

Role

Product / Visual Designer

Product / Visual Designer

Scope

Scope

Research, Design System, Product & Visual Design

Research, Design System, Product & Visual Design

Period

Period

2022 - 2023

2022 - 2023

The Challenges

The Challenges

My Ssaem was born out of a simple observation: most Korean learning apps focus heavily on memorization but fail to teach the nuance of how the language is actually used in daily life.


In this project, I challenged myself to design a learning experience that feels less like a textbook and more like a journey. By integrating cultural insights directly into language lessons, My Ssaem aims to increase learner retention and make the road to fluency genuinely enjoyable.

My Ssaem was born out of a simple observation: most Korean learning apps focus heavily on memorization but fail to teach the nuance of how the language is actually used in daily life.


In this project, I challenged myself to design a learning experience that feels less like a textbook and more like a journey. By integrating cultural insights directly into language lessons, My Ssaem aims to increase learner retention and make the road to fluency genuinely enjoyable.

01

01

How can we transform passive media consumption into active language learning?

How can we transform passive media consumption into active language learning?

Users already watch K-content for hours; the challenge was turning that screen time into a productive learning session without killing the fun.

Users already watch K-content for hours; the challenge was turning that screen time into a productive learning session without killing the fun.

02

02

How do we solve the "lack of context" in traditional learning apps?

How do we solve the "lack of context" in traditional learning apps?

Flashcards teach words, but not nuance. We needed a way to show how phrases are actually used in real-life (or dramatic) situations.

Flashcards teach words, but not nuance. We needed a way to show how phrases are actually used in real-life (or dramatic) situations.

03

03

How can we build a daily habit for self-taught learners?

How can we build a daily habit for self-taught learners?

Without a classroom structure, self-learners drop out quickly. We needed retention triggers that felt rewarding, not like homework.

Without a classroom structure, self-learners drop out quickly. We needed retention triggers that felt rewarding, not like homework.

Design Process

Design Process

User Interviews

User Interviews

To identify why learners quit traditional apps.

To identify why learners quit traditional apps.

Competitive Analysis

Competitive Analysis

Analyze competitors to find gaps in engagement.

Analyze competitors to find gaps in engagement.

Persona Creation

Persona Creation

Focus on culturally influenced learning behaviors.

Focus on culturally influenced learning behaviors.

Sketching & Wireframing

Sketching & Wireframing

Draw the core flows (Vocab & Grammar, Quiz, Dictionary).

Draw the core flows (Vocab & Grammar, Quiz, Dictionary).

Mid-Fi Prototyping

Mid-Fi Prototyping

To test navigation, direction and content discovery.

To test navigation, direction and content discovery.

Usability Testing

Usability Testing

To validate the "Learning from Clips" concept.

To validate the "Learning from Clips" concept.

User Interviews

To identify why learners quit traditional apps.

Competitive Analysis

Analyze competitors to find gaps in engagement.

Sketching & Wireframing

Draw the core flows (Vocab & Grammar, Quiz, Dictionary).

Persona Creation

Focus on culturally influenced learning behaviors.

Mid-Fi Prototyping

To test navigation, direction and content discovery.

Usability Testing

To validate the "Learning from Clips" concept.

Design Process

User Interviews

To identify why learners quit traditional apps.

Competitive Analysis

Analyze competitors to find gaps in engagement.

Sketching & Wireframing

Draw the core flows (Vocab & Grammar, Quiz, Dictionary).

Persona Creation

Focus on culturally influenced learning behaviors.

Mid-Fi Prototyping

To test navigation, direction and content discovery.

Usability Testing

To validate the "Learning from Clips" concept.

The Strategy

The Strategy

Contextual Immersion: Instead of forcing users to memorize lists, we used "Entertainment-First Learning", presenting the fun clip first to grab attention, then breaking down the grammar and vocabulary within that specific context.

Contextual Immersion: Instead of forcing users to memorize lists, we used "Entertainment-First Learning", presenting the fun clip first to grab attention, then breaking down the grammar and vocabulary within that specific context.

User Interview

User Interview

First things first, I conducted a competitive and feature analysis of the Korean learning platforms in the market. Then, I surveyed and interviewed language learners to gain insight into their motivation and pain points. Here is my research plan. I conducted 3 user interviews, and though I wish I had more participants, I still gained a lot of insights into the language learning experience.

First things first, I conducted a competitive and feature analysis of the Korean learning platforms in the market. Then, I surveyed and interviewed language learners to gain insight into their motivation and pain points. Here is my research plan. I conducted 3 user interviews, and though I wish I had more participants, I still gained a lot of insights into the language learning experience.

Age: 24

Occupation: Graphic Designer

Location: Surabaya, ID

Age: 24

Occupation: Graphic Designer

Location: Surabaya, ID

Participant #1

โ€œI love learning about culture and languages. Iโ€™m also good at learning them too.โ€

โ€œI love learning about culture and languages. Iโ€™m also good at learning them too.โ€

  • Knows 6 different languages

  • Study with textbook as a base, with tutor and audio dialogues.

  • Duolingo is only good for vocab. Books, 1 won't know how to actually speak

  • Learning about the structure of a sentence in Korean is difficult. I might find success in a classroom setting

  • Learning with comic books are cheap and fun!

  • Listen to Russian and Turkish music

  • Knows 6 different languages

  • Study with textbook as a base, with tutor and audio dialogues.

  • Duolingo is only good for vocab. Books, 1 won't know how to actually speak

  • Learning about the structure of a sentence in Korean is difficult. I might find success in a classroom setting

  • Learning with comic books are cheap and fun!

  • Listen to Russian and Turkish music

Age: 25

Occupation: Master's Student & Socmed Specialist

Location: Surabaya, ID

Age: 25

Occupation: Master's Student & Socmed Specialist

Location: Surabaya, ID

Participant #2

"I want to communicate with my friends who feel more comfortable at speaking Korean.โ€

"I want to communicate with my friends who feel more comfortable at speaking Korean.โ€

  • Attended Korean school, talk to family and relatives, watch Korean dramas and listen to Kpop

  • Hardest part is understanding what people are saying. Not familiar with words

  • Surrounded by Korean community

  • Text friends in Korean to learn & immerse

  • Want to Travel to Korea

  • Attended Korean school, talk to family and relatives, watch Korean dramas and listen to Kpop

  • Hardest part is understanding what people are saying. Not familiar with words

  • Surrounded by Korean community

  • Text friends in Korean to learn & immerse

  • Want to Travel to Korea

Age: 27

Occupation: Designer

Location: Yogyakarta, ID

Age: 27

Occupation: Designer

Location: Yogyakarta, ID

Participant #3

"Iโ€™d been exposed to many cultures from young age. I love being able to express myself in many waysโ€

"Iโ€™d been exposed to many cultures from young age. I love being able to express myself in many waysโ€

Knows 3 languages

  • Easy to make Duolingo a habit

  • Used Duolingo for more than a year, but don't know how effective it is.

  • Want to travel to Korea โ€ข Use Merrise to hear native people talking. not an Al.

  • Don't know a way to check my level of progress

Knows 3 languages

  • Easy to make Duolingo a habit

  • Used Duolingo for more than a year, but don't know how effective it is.

  • Want to travel to Korea โ€ข Use Merrise to hear native people talking. not an Al.

  • Don't know a way to check my level of progress

Users now want to move away from the traditional way of studying a language from a book and choose a more immersive way to learn. This adds to the survey findings that many people opt for mobile apps as they are learning a new language.

Users now want to move away from the traditional way of studying a language from a book and choose a more immersive way to learn. This adds to the survey findings that many people opt for mobile apps as they are learning a new language.

Competitive Analysis

Competitive Analysis

I looked at both direct and indirect competitors of Korean teaching platforms. Many apps are geared towards beginners and are being used to supplement the userโ€™s study. HelloTalk is great for practicing, Duolingo for vocabulary, and Teuida for dialogues.

I looked at both direct and indirect competitors of Korean teaching platforms. Many apps are geared towards beginners and are being used to supplement the userโ€™s study. HelloTalk is great for practicing, Duolingo for vocabulary, and Teuida for dialogues.

Direct Competitors

Direct Competitors

Cake

Cake

Learning from short clips of Korean videos.

Learning from short clips of Korean videos.

Strength

Strength

  • Real-life, bite-sized expressions

  • Easy and engaging for beginners

  • Real-life, bite-sized expressions

  • Easy and engaging for beginners

Weakness

Weakness

  • No structured learning path

  • Limited long-term depth

  • No structured learning path

  • Limited long-term depth

Teuida

Teuida

Practice through guided video-based interaction.

Practice through guided video-based interaction.

Strength

Strength

  • Strong speaking confidence training

  • Practical, scenario-based practice

  • Strong speaking confidence training

  • Practical, scenario-based practice

Weakness

Weakness

  • Speaking-only focus

  • Minimal grammar coverage

  • Speaking-only focus

  • Minimal grammar coverage

Eggbun

Eggbun

Conversational through chatbot-style interaction.

Conversational through chatbot-style interaction.

Strength

Strength

  • Friendly, conversational learning

  • Low learning barrier

  • Friendly, conversational learning

  • Low learning barrier

Weakness

Weakness

  • Shallow content depth

  • Limited progression

  • Shallow content depth

  • Limited progression

LingoDeer

LingoDeer

Structured learning with strong foundations.

Structured learning with strong foundations.

Strength

Strength

  • Clear lesson structure

  • Strong grammar explanations

  • Clear lesson structure

  • Strong grammar explanations

Weakness

Weakness

  • Low interaction

  • Less conversational practice

  • Low interaction

  • Less conversational practice

Indirect Competitors

Indirect Competitors

Duolingo

Duolingo

Gamified language learning and habit formation.

Gamified language learning and habit formation.

Strength

Strength

  • Highly engaging and motivating

  • Strong daily habit building

  • Highly engaging and motivating

  • Strong daily habit building

Weakness

Weakness

  • Weak grammar depth

  • Limited real-world speaking

  • Weak grammar depth

  • Limited real-world speaking

HelloTalk

HelloTalk

Language exchange with native speakers.

Language exchange with native speakers.

Strength

Strength

  • Real conversations with natives

  • Strong community aspect

  • Real conversations with natives

  • Strong community aspect

Weakness

Weakness

  • No structured curriculum

  • Learning quality varies

  • No structured curriculum

  • Learning quality varies

Babbel

Babbel

Practical language skills for real-life conversations.

Practical language skills for real-life conversations.

Strength

Strength

  • Practical, structured lessons

  • High content quality

  • Practical, structured lessons

  • High content quality

Weakness

Weakness

  • Less engaging UX

  • Limited community features

  • Less engaging UX

  • Limited community features

Busuu

Busuu

Guided lessons combined with feedback.

Guided lessons combined with feedback.

Strength

Strength

  • Native speaker feedback

  • Balanced lesson approach

  • Native speaker feedback

  • Balanced lesson approach

Weakness

Weakness

  • Inconsistent feedback quality

  • Limited advanced content

  • Inconsistent feedback quality

  • Limited advanced content

Persona Creation

Persona Creation

In the second step of the design process, I will be creating a persona, an empathy map, and finally coming up with a problem statement. Creating personas is a way to imagine who I would be designing for. I listed the goals & needs, motivation, and fear & frustrations.

In the second step of the design process, I will be creating a persona, an empathy map, and finally coming up with a problem statement. Creating personas is a way to imagine who I would be designing for. I listed the goals & needs, motivation, and fear & frustrations.

Meet Julia. She lives in Surabaya, Indonesia, and loves everything about Korean culture and language.

Meet Julia. She lives in Surabaya, Indonesia, and loves everything about Korean culture and language.

Julia

25 years old

Surabaya, Indonesia

Professional

Personality

Extrovert, Curious, Adventurous, Observant, Spontaneous

Brand Affiliations

Youtube, Duolingo, Netflix, Webtoon, Naver, Apple

Story

Julia is Chinese Indonesian kid born and raised in Indonesia, and she traveled a lot. She took Japanese and Mandarin in high school but didn't feel a connection to the languages. In college, she had a lot of Korean friends and was exposed to Korean culture and the language. Even after college, she likes to read Webtoon and watch K-drama. She especially likes BTS.

Personality

Extrovert, Curious, Adventurous, Observant, Spontaneous

Motivation

  • Korean language is very expressive and emotional

  • Love watching Korean dramas

  • Wish to travel to Korea

  • Understand and converse with Korean friends

Goals & Needs

  • Watch K-dramas without subtitles

  • Read webtoons without waiting for the translated version

  • Communicate with Korean friends on a casual basis

  • Want a good travel experience

Fear & Frustrations

  • Translations don't portray the same dialogue

  • Korean is easy to learn the alphabet but a difficult language and sentence structure

  • Duolingo is great, but it's not teaching me structure. Just words and phrases.

  • Hard to follow a study routine

  • Not in Korea so I'm not struggling or forced to learn

Brand Affiliations

Youtube, Duolingo, Netflix, Webtoon, Naver, Apple

Julia

25 years old

Surabaya, Indonesia

Professional

Story

Julia is Chinese Indonesian kid born and raised in Indonesia, and she traveled a lot. She took Japanese and Mandarin in high school but didn't feel a connection to the languages. In college, she had a lot of Korean friends and was exposed to Korean culture and the language. Even after college, she likes to read Webtoon and watch K-drama. She especially likes BTS.

Brand Affiliations

Youtube, Duolingo, Netflix, Webtoon, Naver, Apple

Personality

Extrovert, Curious, Adventurous, Observant, Spontaneous

Motivation

  • Korean language is very expressive and emotional

  • Love watching Korean dramas

  • Wish to travel to Korea

  • Understand and converse with Korean friends

Goals & Needs

  • Watch K-dramas without subtitles

  • Read webtoons without waiting for the translated version

  • Communicate with Korean friends on a casual basis

  • Want a good travel experience

Fear & Frustrations

  • Translations don't portray the same dialogue

  • Korean is easy to learn the alphabet but a difficult language and sentence structure

  • Duolingo is great, but it's not teaching me structure. Just words and phrases.

  • Hard to follow a study routine

  • Not in Korea so I'm not struggling or forced to learn

Empathy Map

Empathy Map

What does a typical day look like for Julia? What does she value and think about? How are her actions different โ€” or the same as her thoughts?

What does a typical day look like for Julia? What does she value and think about? How are her actions different โ€” or the same as her thoughts?

Seeing

  • Unfamiliar words

  • I love watching Korean dramas and tv shows

  • I follow celebrities on instagram

  • My friends are talking to each other in Korean

  • Webtoon translations suck and they take forever to translate. I'm so behind

Doing

  • Watch Korean drama

  • Hang out/chill with friends

  • Instagram post by Korean celebrity I follow

  • Relaxing on my couch watching Netflix!

  • Duolingo - review for 5 min

  • Read translated Webtoons

Thinking & Feeling

  • When will I become fluent? (inadequate)

  • What drama should I watch next? (enjoyment)

  • What does that word mean? (overwhelmed)

  • Omg I know that word! Maybe I did improve (confidence)

  • I don't know what to say at all ... I'm so bad after all (insecure)

  • When will I become fluent? (inadequate)

  • What drama should I watch next? (enjoyment)

  • What does that word mean? (overwhelmed)

  • Omg I know that word! Maybe I did improve (confidence)

  • I don't know what to say at all ... I'm so bad after all (insecure)

Hearing

  • I can pick up some words while watching Korean drama

  • Friends say Korean words I can't understand

  • Listen to BTS songs and singing along English verse

  • A friend translates for me

  • "Are you Korean?" or someone speaks to me in Korean right away

Pains

  • Why is it so hard to set a routine and follow through?

  • Feeling embarrassed when I'm wrong

  • Lack of conversing with my friends

  • Motivation wanes

  • I don't have enough time especially with work

  • I don't feel forced to Learn Korean.

Gains

  • Become more knowledgable

  • Memory improvement

  • Satisfaction of learning something new

  • Deepen connection to Korean culture

  • Gain perspective

  • Travel to Korea, read and understand words

  • Read and watch without subtitles and bad transtations

Julia wants to learn Korean to consume Korean media without subtitles and have casual conversations with her friends. Although she finds joy in learning and understanding, she is embarrassed when sheโ€™s wrong and feels insecure.

Julia wants to learn Korean to consume Korean media without subtitles and have casual conversations with her friends. Although she finds joy in learning and understanding, she is embarrassed when sheโ€™s wrong and feels insecure.

Julia

25 years old

Surabaya, Indonesia

Professional

Story

Julia is Chinese Indonesian kid born and raised in Indonesia, and she traveled a lot. She took Japanese and Mandarin in high school but didn't feel a connection to the languages. In college, she had a lot of Korean friends and was exposed to Korean culture and the language. Even after college, she likes to read Webtoon and watch K-drama. She especially likes BTS.

Brand Affiliations

Youtube, Duolingo, Netflix, Webtoon, Naver, Apple

Personality

Extrovert, Curious, Adventurous, Observant, Spontaneous

Motivation

  • Korean language is very expressive and emotional

  • Love watching Korean dramas

  • Wish to travel to Korea

  • Understand and converse with Korean friends

Goals & Needs

  • Watch K-dramas without subtitles

  • Read webtoons without waiting for the translated version

  • Communicate with Korean friends on a casual basis

  • Want a good travel experience

Fear & Frustrations

  • Translations don't portray the same dialogue

  • Korean is easy to learn the alphabet but a difficult language and sentence structure

  • Duolingo is great, but it's not teaching me structure. Just words and phrases.

  • Hard to follow a study routine

  • Not in Korea so I'm not struggling or forced to learn

Problem Statement

Problem Statement

After the research phase, I can deduce that the users need help keeping a routine and want to learn a language the non-traditional way.

After the research phase, I can deduce that the users need help keeping a routine and want to learn a language the non-traditional way.

01

01

How might we help people build structure and context of the Korean language while keeping them engaged?

How might we help people build structure and context of the Korean language while keeping them engaged?

02

02

How might we help people who struggle to learn Korean accomplish their goals?

How might we help people who struggle to learn Korean accomplish their goals?

03

03

How might we increase engagement and interaction with Korean learning on a daily basis?

How might we increase engagement and interaction with Korean learning on a daily basis?

In the most creative step of the design process, I came up with solutions and created an information architecture. Followed by that are sketches, mid-fidelity wireframes, usability testing, and a UI kit.

In the most creative step of the design process, I came up with solutions and created an information architecture. Followed by that are sketches, mid-fidelity wireframes, usability testing, and a UI kit.

Key Solutions

Key Solutions

Gamified Roadmap Journey

Gamified Roadmap Journey

We transformed the curriculum into an interactive visual roadmap. By using a path-based progression with unlockable levels and "checkpoints," we provide users with a clear sense of advancement and a goal-oriented learning experience.

We transformed the curriculum into an interactive visual roadmap. By using a path-based progression with unlockable levels and "checkpoints," we provide users with a clear sense of advancement and a goal-oriented learning experience.

Cultural Context Cards (Tahukah kamu?)

Cultural Context Cards (Tahukah kamu?)

To move beyond simple vocabulary, we integrated "Fun Fact" pop-ups and cultural context cards. These explain the real-world usage and history behind Korean phrases, providing the cultural nuance that traditional learning apps often miss.

To move beyond simple vocabulary, we integrated "Fun Fact" pop-ups and cultural context cards. These explain the real-world usage and history behind Korean phrases, providing the cultural nuance that traditional learning apps often miss.

Daily Streak & Reward System

Daily Streak & Reward System

To build consistent habits, we implemented a daily check-in system linked to XP rewards and virtual gift boxes. This encourages daily interaction through positive reinforcement, helping users maintain their learning momentum.

To build consistent habits, we implemented a daily check-in system linked to XP rewards and virtual gift boxes. This encourages daily interaction through positive reinforcement, helping users maintain their learning momentum.

Interactive Video Player

Interactive Video Player

The core learning engine. Users watch a clip, and the subtitles are interactive. Tapping a word pauses the video and pulls up the definition, grammar usage, and pronunciation, creating seamless context.

The core learning engine. Users watch a clip, and the subtitles are interactive. Tapping a word pauses the video and pulls up the definition, grammar usage, and pronunciation, creating seamless context.

Information Architecture

Information Architecture

In the most creative step of the design process, I came up with solutions and created an information architecture. Followed by that are sketches, mid-fidelity wireframes, usability testing, and a UI kit.

In the most creative step of the design process, I came up with solutions and created an information architecture. Followed by that are sketches, mid-fidelity wireframes, usability testing, and a UI kit.

Sketches & Wireframe

Sketches & Wireframe

Alongside the information architecture, I sketched my ideas on my iPad, keeping in mind the userโ€™s pain points and motivations. From sketches to mid-fidelity screens, I started by laying out all the pages I needed to design for the three journeys. I blocked out sections for each element and did my detailed work.

Alongside the information architecture, I sketched my ideas on my iPad, keeping in mind the userโ€™s pain points and motivations. From sketches to mid-fidelity screens, I started by laying out all the pages I needed to design for the three journeys. I blocked out sections for each element and did my detailed work.

Usability Testing

Usability Testing

I conducted usability testing with 6 participants over Google Meet, each lasting about 30 minutes.

The objective of the test:

  1. Observe if users can accomplish the specified task. If they make a mistake, can they recover?

  2. Identify areas of the app that require a change to improve user performance and satisfaction

The objective of the test:

  1. Observe if users can accomplish the specified task. If they make a mistake, can they recover?

  2. Identify areas of the app that require a change to improve user performance and satisfaction

With the provided feedback, I created revisions to fill the gap between my understanding of the users and what the users experienced.

With the provided feedback, I created revisions to fill the gap between my understanding of the users and what the users experienced.

Final Design & Prototype

Final Design & Prototype

What kind of feeling do I want users to experience while using My Ssaem? The primary color blue is associated with ambition and creativity and the secondary color tangerine is associated with enjoyment and enthusiasm. These two are the primary colors used in My Ssaem. I use the Noto Sans KR font, a sans-serif font that has a modern visual and can accommodate the needs of the Korean Hangeul letters.

After the design system release for design teams, we socialize them to use the component library for their ongoing and next project. Also, for read all the component guidelines. While doing that, we also measure these metrics in the first 3 months after the introduction.


And the results are:

Splash Screen & Onboarding

Splash Screen & Onboarding

Splash Screen & Onboarding

The My Ssaem onboarding flow utilizes a friendly, peach-colored mascot to guide users through a four-stage introduction designed to build brand trust and highlight cultural immersion.

The My Ssaem onboarding flow utilizes a friendly, peach-colored mascot to guide users through a four-stage introduction designed to build brand trust and highlight cultural immersion.

Login & Opening Page

Login & Opening Page

Login & Opening Page

The My Ssaem login screen provides a simple and friendly entry point for users. It supports email and password login, with clear input states, password visibility toggle, and recovery options.


After logging in, users are welcomed with an emotional check-in screen that asks how they are feeling today.

The My Ssaem login screen provides a simple and friendly entry point for users. It supports email and password login, with clear input states, password visibility toggle, and recovery options.


After logging in, users are welcomed with an emotional check-in screen that asks how they are feeling today.

Homepage

Homepage

Homepage

The My Ssaem homepage serves as a centralized dashboard designed to drive daily engagement through personalized content and social proof.

The My Ssaem homepage serves as a centralized dashboard designed to drive daily engagement through personalized content and social proof.

Daily Streak

Daily Streak

Daily Streak

The Daily Streak (Check-in Harian) flow utilizes a circular path visualization to reward consistency and reduce user drop-off.

The Daily Streak (Check-in Harian) flow utilizes a circular path visualization to reward consistency and reduce user drop-off.

Visual Assets

Outcome Highlights

Outcome Highlights

My Ssaem was officially launched in Q4 2023. Post-launch analytics revealed that integrating cultural context didn't just entertain users, it significantly improved their study habits. By bridging the gap between entertainment and education, we achieved metrics well above the industry average for ed-tech startups.

My Ssaem was officially launched in Q4 2023. Post-launch analytics revealed that integrating cultural context didn't just entertain users, it significantly improved their study habits. By bridging the gap between entertainment and education, we achieved metrics well above the industry average for ed-tech startups.

ยฑ80%

ยฑ80%

Retention Rate Uplift

Retention Rate Uplift

Users who interacted with the 'Culture Cards' feature had an 80% higher Day-30 retention rate compared to users who only used standard flashcards.

Users who interacted with the 'Culture Cards' feature had an 80% higher Day-30 retention rate compared to users who only used standard flashcards.

4.8

4.8

App Store Rating

App Store Rating

Maintained a near-perfect rating across 5,000+ reviews. 90% of written reviews specifically mentioned the 'contextual learning' approach as their favorite feature.

Maintained a near-perfect rating across 5,000+ reviews. 90% of written reviews specifically mentioned the 'contextual learning' approach as their favorite feature.

24m

24m

Avg. Session Duration

Avg. Session Duration

The immersive video player increased average session length to 24 minutes, significantly outperforming the industry standard of 5-10 minutes for language apps.

The immersive video player increased average session length to 24 minutes, significantly outperforming the industry standard of 5-10 minutes for language apps.

92%

92%

Lesson Completion

Lesson Completion

Gamifying the 'Culture Unlock' system resulted in a 92% lesson completion rate, proving that curiosity is a stronger motivator than academic pressure.

Gamifying the 'Culture Unlock' system resulted in a 92% lesson completion rate, proving that curiosity is a stronger motivator than academic pressure.

Key Takeaway & Learning

Key Takeaway & Learning

This project reinforced several key lessons in building a user-centric educational product:

This project reinforced several key lessons in building a user-centric educational product:

  • Culture is the ultimate "Hook" for Retention: I learned that users are more motivated by "cultural rewards" than traditional badges. By integrating K-Pop and K-Drama context, we transformed language learning from a chore into a hobby, which was the primary driver for our +80% retention rate.

  • Balancing Entertainment with Education: The biggest challenge was ensuring that "fun" didn't distract from "learning." I learned how to use a Progressive Disclosure design pattern, showing the entertaining content first, then gradually revealing the deeper grammar and vocabulary layers so as not to overwhelm the user.

  • Designing for "Micro-Moments": Through user research, I realized most learners use the app during commutes or short breaks. I pivoted the design to focus on Atomic Learning, ensuring every lesson, video clip, and culture card could be completed in under 3 minutes, making the app fit seamlessly into daily life.

  • Data-Informed Iteration: Seeing the 4.8 satisfaction score taught me the value of listening to community feedback. Early users found the navigation confusing, so I simplified the information architecture to focus on a "Content-First" feed, which immediately improved our session duration and completion rates.

  • Culture is the ultimate "Hook" for Retention: I learned that users are more motivated by "cultural rewards" than traditional badges. By integrating K-Pop and K-Drama context, we transformed language learning from a chore into a hobby, which was the primary driver for our +80% retention rate.

  • Balancing Entertainment with Education: The biggest challenge was ensuring that "fun" didn't distract from "learning." I learned how to use a Progressive Disclosure design pattern, showing the entertaining content first, then gradually revealing the deeper grammar and vocabulary layers so as not to overwhelm the user.

  • Designing for "Micro-Moments": Through user research, I realized most learners use the app during commutes or short breaks. I pivoted the design to focus on Atomic Learning, ensuring every lesson, video clip, and culture card could be completed in under 3 minutes, making the app fit seamlessly into daily life.

  • Data-Informed Iteration: Seeing the 4.8 satisfaction score taught me the value of listening to community feedback. Early users found the navigation confusing, so I simplified the information architecture to focus on a "Content-First" feed, which immediately improved our session duration and completion rates.

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Thanks for

stopping by!

Feel free to reach out for collaboration

purposes or just a friendly hello ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿป

sasongkobr@gmail.com

Thanks for stopping by!

Feel free to reach out for collaboration

purposes or just a friendly hello ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿป

sasongkobr@gmail.com

Thanks for stopping by!

Feel free to reach out for collaboration

purposes or just a friendly hello ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿป

sasongkobr@gmail.com

Thanks for

stopping by!

Feel free to reach out for collaboration purposes or just a friendly hello ๐Ÿ‘‹๐Ÿป

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