Virtual Reality Experience, UX Design
UC Berkeley, UX Design Professional Program
TEAM Harika Adivikolanu, Rina Tambo Jensen
ROLE Research & Synthesis, User Testing, Storyboarding, UI Design, Prototyping
DATE 2019
Existing language learning services aren’t meeting the user’s need to be completely immersed in the culture of the languages they are learning. The challenge was to design a fun, interactive, cost effective way to learn about a new culture, country and their language.
Students, travelers, and interactive learners who want an immersive language learning experience and can’t necessarily afford to travel.
A VR language learning experience that immerses the users into the country's cultural settings and teaches them the local language through local experiences. Also adding a feedback component to gauge progress.
For the purpose of this project, there were 2 prototypes created: Invision and Google Cardboard InstaVR. The images below represent the Google Cardboard experience.
Secondary research was conducted using popular language learning methods such as Dualingo, Rosetta Stone, and community or AI based apps like HelloTalk, Ewa to derive goals and needs of users in an immersed environment.
Although similar concepts exist, none have been fully implemented yet and VR language learning still has a long way to go in terms of interaction design and lesson plans.
The application is designed for an audience that does not have the means to travel for a cultural immersion however, is interested in language and culture and would like a method that is more engaging and authentic than a textbook.
The link below contains the Invision prototype used to explain the interaction designs in detail.
The link below contains the Invision prototype used to explain the interaction designs in detail.
Iteration 1 of the VR prototype was designed using the low fidelity wireframes and Sketch using 360 degree images. The link below contains the Invision prototype used to explain the interaction designs in detail.
Invision prototypeThe link below contains the Invision prototype used to explain the interaction designs in detail.
To save time and resources, paper prototypes were used to print out wireframes at an 11x17 size and passing them in front of a makeshift viewing screen in front of users.
Card sorting helped finalize the events in the flow and decide which interactions were most important to consumers.
1) Predictability and Learnability: Make getting to the language experience easier and more intuitive.
2) Depth and Feedback: Expand the language interactions, don't create distractions.
3) Consistency: Keep to a VR experience layout throughout.
Iteration 2 of the VR prototype was designed using the InstaVr platform to create desktop and mobile versions of the experience. This was then downloaded as a mobile app for Google Cardboard.
