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CASE STUDY
TELC DEUTSCHE BOX APP

UX Redesign of the Telc Deutsch Box App

In this project, I took the initiative to redesign the Telc Deutsch Box app to enhance user experience and overall functionality. This redesign is a conceptual project developed as part of my personal portfolio to demonstrate my skills and capabilities in UX Design.

Technologies Used:

For the prototype, I utilized Adobe XD, which allowed me to create an interactive and visually appealing design. This approach helped me effectively demonstrate how the improvements could be applied in a real environment..

Challenges and Solutions:

I identified several challenges in the existing user interface, including navigability and accessibility issues. To address these problems, I proposed a more intuitive and accessible interface, significantly improving user interaction with the app. Additionally, I integrated enhanced privacy features and multilingual support to adapt the app to a broader audience.

Personal Reflection:

This project reflects my commitment to creating user experiences that not only meet user needs but also promote safe and accessible interaction. Although the project is conceptual, it illustrates my practical approach and my ability to tackle complex UX issues in real-world situations.

To aproach my project

in a structured and methodical way,

I begin with the user survey phase. Based on initial observations, I have identified several areas within the app that could benefit from enhancements. However, to ensure that we address all potential improvements comprehensively, conducting real surveys with actual users is essential.

Here’s how I could design this phase: I would include examples of questions I anticipate asking and the types of responses I expect to receive from students. This approach will help us gather detailed feedback that may reveal additional insights beyond my initial observations, allowing us to fine-tune the app’s redesign more effectively.

A First Step in the

UX Design Process

 To gather insights from users to identify pain points and opportunities for improvement in the usability and functionality of the Telc app.

Method: Distributed online surveys to 30 advanced B2 level students enrolled in the “Deutsch für Beruf” course.

Sample Survey Questions and Responses:

How often do you use the Telc app?

Responses:

          • “I use it daily on my commute.”
          • “Several times a week, mainly in the evenings.”

What do you find most challenging about the current app interface?

Responses:

            • “Navigating through lessons is confusing; it’s hard to find what I need.”
            • “The interface is cluttered, which makes focused learning difficult.”

Do you believe the app helps you effectively learn German? If not, what’s missing?

Responses:

        • “It’s helpful, but I wish there were more interactive exercises.”
        • “I need more audio controls to repeat sections I didn’t understand the first time.”

Would voice command functionality improve your experience? Why or why not?

Responses:

      • “Yes, it would be great for hands-free operation, especially while driving.”
      • “I’m not sure, I rarely use voice commands but it could be useful for searching.”

Do you have any privacy concerns with the current app?

Responses:

  • “I’m worried about the app accessing my microphone or camera in the background.”
  • “Yes, I want to ensure my data is protected and not used without my consent.”


What features would you add to enhance your learning experience?

Responses:

    • “The ability to turn off the microphone and camera when not in use.”
    • “An option for continuous playback of audio lessons would be helpful.”

Analysis of Survey Results:

Common issues include difficulties with navigation and a desire for more interactive and customizable learning tools. Privacy concerns are significant, emphasizing the need for enhanced security features. There is interest in voice command functionalities, suggesting an area for potential development.

Next Steps: Based on the survey feedback, I will move into the design phase to address the identified needs, focusing on improving navigation, adding privacy controls, and exploring the integration of voice commands.

Questions answers of the surveys

Creating The Persona

Tony Bauer

Age: 32
Occupation: Marketing Manager
Location: Stuttgart, Germany
Language Proficiency: Beginner in German

Quote: “I need to learn German efficiently during my daily commutes without constantly looking at my phone.

A car-friendly language learning app with smart features would be a game-changer for me.”

Goals:

  • Effectively improve his German language skills.
  • Utilize his commuting time for learning.
  • Track his learning progress and easily review challenging material.

Pain Points:

Limited Interaction with the Car Infotainment System:

 Tony’s preferred language learning app is incompatible with Apple CarPlay in his vehicle, forcing him to manage his learning via his phone, which is inconvenient and potentially unsafe while driving.

Navigation and Usability Issues:

The app lacks intuitive navigation and clear titles for audio content, making it difficult for her to select the appropriate lessons or track where she left off.

Pain Points:


Lack of Advanced Audio Control Features:

He wants the ability to replay specific sections of the audio for better practice and comprehension, but the app does not support repetitive listening or continuous play without manual intervention.

Technical Requirements:

  • Compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for safer in-car use.
  • Voice command features to avoid physical interactions with her phone or car system.
  • Enhanced audio controls that allow for easy repetition of lessons and seamless transitions between different topics.

End Goal: Tony aims to achieve a conversational level of German proficiency within a year to feel more confident at work and in social settings within his new community.

He hopes to find an app that adapts to his active lifestyle and learning pace.

Feature – Problem – Solution – Benefit

1

Feature: User Account and Learning Progress Tracking

  • Problem: Users cannot track their progress or see which chapters they have completed.
  • Solution: Implement a user login system that tracks and visually displays progress on each chapter.

  • Benefit: Users can easily see their learning progress, which motivates continuous engagement and systematic study.

2

Feature: Transition from PDF to Interactive Content

  • Problem: Content in PDF format is static and not engaging.
  • Solution: Implement a user login system that tracks and visually displays progress on each chapter.

  • Benefit: Users can easily see their learning progress, which motivates continuous engagement and systematic study.

3

Feature: Search Engine in User Language & Filters with Chapter Topics

  • Problem: Users have difficulty finding specific content within the app.
  • Solution: Enhance the search engine to operate in the user’s language and include filters based on chapter topics.

  • Benefit: Users can quickly find relevant chapters and topics, improving the learning experience.

4

Feature: Comprehensive Audio Features

  • Problem: Limited control over audio playback hinders learning.
  • Solution: Introduce advanced audio playback options such as autoplay, continuous playback, and the ability to replay chapters multiple times.

  • Benefit: Allows for more flexible and repeated listening, which is crucial for language learning.

5

Feature: Translation Features and Direction Change

    • Problem: Users need help understanding vocabulary in context.
    • Solution: Provide a translation option for words and phrases, with the ability to change the direction of translation (e.g., from German to English and vice versa).
    • Benefit: Enhances understanding and allows for bilingual learning, catering to a wider user base.

    6

    Feature: Privacy Controls

    • Problem: Concerns about privacy due to app permissions for microphone and camera.
    • Solution: Implement privacy controls that allow users to disable access when not in use, and ensure no background access occurs.
    • Benefit: Increases user trust and complies with strict privacy regulations.

    7

    Feature: User-Friendly Visualization and Interface Simplification

    • Problem: The app interface is cluttered and confusing.
    • Solution: Redesign the user interface to include clear icons and a simplified menu structure.
    • Benefit: Users can navigate the app more easily, reducing frustration and improving usability.

    8

    Feature: Last Session Reminder and Access to Favorite Book

    • Problem: Users find it difficult to resume where they left off or quickly access preferred content.
    • Solution: Implement a feature that remembers the last session and provides quick access to a favorite book upon starting the app.
    • Benefit: Simplifies the learning process by making it easy for users to pick up right where they left off, enhancing learner convenience.

    9

    Feature: Accessibility and Compatibility

    • Problem: Users need to access the app across multiple devices, including during commuting.
    • Solution: Ensure that the app functions well across multiple devices, including integration with car infotainment systems.
    • Benefit: Users can learn anytime, anywhere, making the most of their available time and varying contexts.

    10

    Feature: Voice Search for Chapters

    • Problem: It is difficult to find specific lessons on the go, especially while driving.
    • Solution: Introduce voice search capability for hands-free operation and easy access to specific chapters.
    • Benefit: Improves safety and convenience for users, particularly those who multitask or are on the go.

    So what we need to implement is:

    Understanding user needs and behaviors.

    To begin structuring the information architecture for the Telc app,

    This involves analyzing the data from user personas to ensure the app’s features align with user requirements. – Perform a content inventory to catalog all the elements within the app. So we can understand what content we have and how it can be organized effectively.

    Following this, I’ll conduct card sorting sessions with actual users

    to learn about their mental models

    This helps in organizing the app’s content in a way that feels natural to users. I’ll use these insights to create user flows that depict how users might navigate the app to perform specific tasks. These flows will guide the development of a comprehensive sitemap that shows the structure of the entire app.

    Flow Chart/ Mental Models

    Flow Chart / Mental Model 1

    Tony wants to learn the verbes of the chapterbhe is learning.

    Flow chart/ Mental Model 2

    Tony wants to be able to speak aloud after each phrase to practice his German language speech while his walking his dog.

    Flow Chart/ Mental Model 3

    Tony wants to practice the German language articles and repeat three times after the article.

    Flow chart 1 action

    Flow Chart  2 and 3

    Card sorting creation

    THIS IS THE PROGRESS OF UX PRODUCT DESIGN ON THE WALL OF MY HOME. ILL KEEP POSTING.

    Information Architecture

    As the next step in enhancing the Telc app’s user experience, I will focus on developing a detailed information architecture.

    This will involve organizing content and planning the app’s structure to ensure that it is intuitive and aligns with the needs of users like Tony.

    This phase is crucial for laying a solid foundation for the app’s usability. Following the establishment of a robust information architecture,

    Next step is the Low Fidelity Wireframe

    I will proceed to create the first prototype of the redesigned TELC app.

    This prototype will incorporate the improved features identified through user feedback and initial assessments.

    It will be designed to address the specific pain points such as enhancing navigation, integrating advanced audio controls, and ensuring compatibility with in-car systems like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

    The prototype will be a functional model that demonstrates the app’s new design and features.

    It will be used for initial testing to gather early feedback, which will help refine the functionalities and user interface.

    This iterative process ensures that the final product truly meets the expectations and improves the learning experience for users.

    These steps are designed to move us closer to a final design that is both effective and user-friendly, ultimately facilitating a more engaging and productive language learning journey for users.

      • Now Tony can read the title of the audio he is practicing.
      – This way he is sure this is what he wants to practice and doesn’t feel lost.
      • Continue where he left it.
      – This way he can start directly where he left it without any unnecessary search. 
      • Repeat after each phrase.
      This way he can repeat aloud the audio and practice with relax time his speech.
      • Option repeat after each phrase or after each short sentence.
      This way if the sentence is too long he won’t remember when he wants to repeat it, so this way he can decide if he wants to repeat three words or four at a time or the whole phrase.
      • Repeat audio 1, 2, or 3 times.
      He can decide how many times he wants to repeat the audio. 
      • Repeat Chapter 1, 2, or 3 times.
      He can decide how many times he wants to repeat the Chapter. 
      • Don’t stop /continue with all the audio.
      He can decide if wants to stop after the audio, after the chapter, or continue with the whole book audio.

      This way he has full control of his learning while on a bicycle ride or car commute, when he has time to practice without making all these actions on his cell phone.

    Initial high fidelity prototype

    Same process will be made for key screens

    CAR PLAY – DESKTOP – CELL PHONE –  SMARTWATCH – TABLETS

    User testing

    I’ll gather feedback on the APP’S  structure and usability, paying close attention to how well users can achieve their goals.

    Testing

    I’ll iterate on these elements refining them until it meets the usability standards required, keeping detailed documentation of the information architecture, user flows, and navigation models to guide the team and inform any future adjustments.

    Final Design

    By taking this structured and methodical approach, aim to ensure that the final design is user-centric, intuitive, and meets the high standards our users expect.