AI PLAYGROUND
(Freelance Project)
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The product: AI Playground – AI learning platform for kids. The target audience is schools, educational institutes and kids in the age group of 7 to 16 years.
Project duration: June 2024 – July 2024
Create a web app that will serve as an AI learning platform for kids
My role: Lead ux designer
Responsibilities: Monitor the entire project from start to end including user research, creating wireframes, lo-fi prototypes, mockups and hi-fi prototypes.
UNDERSTANDING THE USER
Personas
Problem statement: Tanya is a 12 year old student who wants to learn AI in a fun and engaging way without any technical difficulty because she will loose interest in learning if the learning process becomes overwhelming and boring. Her parents are busy working professionals who want to enroll her in the right course and keep her motivated to learn.
Foundational research
For project AI Playground, we have conducted foundational research at school in 2 phases. Users were selected as represented by the persona. Parents were also involved in the process to understand their thought process.
Phase 1 (Quantitative research):
Research methodology: Questionnaire
Around 200 students were surveyed in this phase. A structured questionnaire was given to all students which was divided into 2 sections: One for parents and one for students.
Phase 2 (Qualitative research):
Research methodology: In-person Interview
20 students were shortlisted for phase 2. Students who showed high interest in AI learning were selected for an In-person interview. Parents were also involved in the interview. Same questionnaire was discussed in the interview in a more elaborate way by encouraging students and parents to describe their answer in more detail and by asking follow up questions.
User research pain points
Based on the foundational research conducted in 2 phases, following pain points were identified.
1
Pain point
Parents observed that kids do not show interest in learning as they find the platform boring.
2
Pain point
Kids give up on learning midway as they find the content overwhelming.
3
Pain point
Parents get confused when selecting the right course for their child.
4
Pain point
Parents & kids at times encounter technical difficulties while using the app.
User journey map
Goal: Enroll for the course. Start and continue learning process.
STARTING THE DESIGN
User flow
User task: to purchase the course and start learning.
Sitemap
Paper wireframes
Goal: Sign up for the course and start learning.
With help of this app parents should be able to sign up and purchase the course. Kids should be able to start the course in a few simple steps. Navigation should be easy and intuitive for both parents and the kids.
UX Research study
Title: Usability study of AI Playground app.
Research goals: Determine if an AI Playground app is easy to use and engaging for kids. Determine if the user (parent) is able to complete the checkout process smoothly and if the kids find the app attractive, engaging and easy to navigate.
Usability study findings:
Insights were shortlisted based on feedback given by multiple participants and the client as well.
Many users did not click on “Explore” CTA. They mostly clicked on CTAs in courses section on the homepage.
All content was organized in categories at the top bar. All users did not go through that content.
Users felt there was not enough information provided about the course in course details page. Course content including all modules and topics was added to the design to make decision making easier for the users.
REFINING THE DESIGN
Color Selection
As per client’s request, few color palettes were presented to them. Color palettes included bright colors to make the design more appealing to kids to give more engaging and fun experience. The final color palette was selected by the client.
Mockups
As per the usability study findings some changes were made in the design.
Hi fidelity prototype
FINAL DESIGN
How does the final design addresses the pain points?
1
Pain point
Parents observed that kids do not show interest in learning as they find the platform boring.
Solution
Use of simple layout, bright colors, lot of images and “My Achievements” section to keep the kids engaged.
2
Pain point
Kids give up on learning midway as they find the content overwhelming.
Solution
Content is broken down into small modules and courses are kept short and simple. Transcript is provided for the videos and kids can take notes as well.
3
Pain point
Parents get confused when selecting the right course for their child.
Solution
Course details are provided including all the content so parents can take informed decision for their child.
4
Pain point
Parents & kids at times encounter technical difficulties while using the app.
Solution
Help & support is easily accessible from the homepage under “Contact us” tab.
GOING FORWARD
Competitive audit
In further developments, competitive audit was conducted. based on the competitive audit more features were added to the design.
Goal: Compare the user experience of each competitor’s app/website
Final Remarks:
In a competitive audit, it was found that the competitors have good content but their websites have serious tone except one. As a result they appear overwhelming and boring for kids. We do want to provide quality content; but we also need to focus on UI and UX from a children’s point of view. Visuals will play a very important role in making this project successful. Creating engaging section for activities is another key to success. Arranging the theoretical content in very short and simple videos is also important to make it easier for kids
Additions to design based on the insights received in competitive audit
“My Universe” section was added to keep the students more engaged by providing personalized and immersive experience. This section is also useful to the parents as they can use it to understand their child’s thought process, interests and inclinations.
“AI Lab” section was developed further to get children engaged in various activities. Lot of visual elements were added to make it fun and playful.
Next steps:
- The web app is primarily designed for desktop. Make this app responsive for other devices.
- Work on UI elements – Logo design, typography, images are yet to be worked on. More color palette options are to be tried.
- Create a special fun bot that will be available to help.
- The project is still under progress and more elements will be added as per client’s requirement.
