Ausland

Overview
An interactive learning app for the Australian Sign Language.
AUSLAND allows users to learn and improve their AUSLAN skills while tracking their progress.

The app is game-centred and designed to motivate the user to stay consistent with daily tasks and goals

My Role

UX/UI Designer

Team

1 UX/UI Designer

1 Front End Developer

1 Back End Developer

Tools

AdobeXD, Illustrator, Sketch, Usibility Hub

Problem Statement

The current technological tools and online courses that teaches Australian sign language (AUSLAN) are time consuming, expensive, and require the user to commit into a structured and inflexible learning plan.

In order to overcome this communication barrier and lack of support for learning AUSLAN, AUSLAND is introduced as an accessible, user-friendly, and gamified AUSLAN learning app.

Goal

AUSLAND goal is to provide a fun and accessible learning experience. the focus around the user experience is enjoyment and increase of motivation to play - and eventually learn.

Another important goal is to involve the deaf community in the development process of the app, as it is crucial to understand their needs in order to provide the most suitable learning experience.

Stakeholders

Design Cycles

Preliminay

- Site map development
- User interviews & usability testing
- Low fidelity prototypes

Main

- High fidelity prototypes
- User based evaluations of prototype
- Design outcomes, benefits, risks

User Flow

The flowchart was created after conducting a short card sorting exercise with a small segment of the target user group. The users were asked to help put the structure of the system together based on their navigational preferences and learning desires.

Research Methods & Findings

Live Interview sessions were conducted via Zoom. Participants were recruited according to the stakeholders groups, including a family member of deaf individual, AUSLAN teacher, and employees at a work place that might need to implement an AUSLAN learning program.

Online usability testing were sent out to participants with an initial prototype design, in order to identify current issues regarding navigation and content.

After conducting user interviews and testing, the data was transcribed and analysed within the category of interface issues. A coding method was used in order to identify the issues and when they occurred:

Interface Issues:
1.1 dissatisfaction about certain interface aspect
1.2 confusion about certain interface aspect
1.3 confusion regarding the outcome of an action
1.4 physical discomfort
1.5 fatigue
1.6 difficulty in finding a certain interface aspect
1.7 having difficulties achieving a certain goal
1.8 the user has made an error
1.9 unable to recover from error without asking for help
1.10 suggestion for re-design of interface

Low Fidelity Prototype

The preliminary design cycle included exploring potential features with a low-fidelity design prototype that was discussed collaboratively with other members of the team.

Style Guide

A style guide was determined for the high-fidelity design. This was inspired by the Australian national colours, which contextually suits the purpose of educating people about the Australian Sign Language.

High Fidelity Prototype

Future Direction & Improvements

One of the main issues we noticed while performing the user evaluation is that the purpose of the app was not clear to users from the first screen. This could be improved by providing additional icons, logos, or a certain motto to describe the use of the app.
Some users experienced difficulties when trying to understand the meaning of the different medals as part of the dictionary screen. Perhaps it will be good to re-design this feature in order for users to be able to read its purpose better.
An important aspect of AUSLAND is to motivate users to practice daily and reach specific goals in improving their AUSLAN. This could be improved by introducing more games and activities, as well as other features such as live video chats, and interactive practice videos.