Design Process

GROUP DISCUSSION

The picture above shows how our group discuss and decide what kind of design, themes, and fonts that we going to apply in our app. In our recent team discussion about the design process for our project which is Talkiee Talkiee, a language learning app. The result of our discussion, we choose to focus on creating a user-friendly and engaging experience for learners of all ages. We began by analyzing our target user, identifying the needs of young learners, professionals, and foreigners to ensure the app meets their requirements. Our group explored various features like real-time AI pronunciation feedback, face-mouth tracking, and gamified learning to make the app both effective and enjoyable. Wireframes and prototypes will be develop collaboratively, allowing us to visualize the user journey and test core functionalities early on. We emphasized accessibility, ensuring the app is inclusive and adaptable across devices. 

PERSONA DEVELOPMENT

In order to understand user requirements, we choose this persona to take some ideas and opinion about our app planing from him.

FEATURE DECISION

In our discussion, we decide to include these features:-

1. Customizable Settings:

   • Language selection (Bahasa Melayu / English).
   • Adjustable session duration.

2. Advanced Technology Integration:

   • AI-powered pronunciation detector for real-time feedback.
   • Face-mouth tracking for visual guidance.
   • Phonetic intonation analysis for accuracy.

3. Interactive Practice Tools:

   • AI avatars for realistic conversation practice (Memoji, Bitmoji, META Avatars, etc.).
   • Gamified exercises for all ages especially for younger users.

4. Accessibility:

• Cross-platform availability (smartphones, tablets, and computers).
• Easy-to-navigate UI/UX for all age groups.

    The list below are potential challenges and their corresponding solutions encountered during the design process of our project, accompanied by detailed explanations:

1. User Engagement

Keeping users consistently motivated is challenging, especially for younger learners and busy professionals. To solve this, we will implement gamification elements like rewards, badges, and leaderboards to make learning fun. Interactive AI avatars will provide engaging conversation practice, while progress tracking with milestones will encourage regular use by showing clear achievements and growth. 

2. Real-Time Feedback Accuracy

Providing accurate and actionable pronunciation feedback can be difficult. To overcome this, we will use advanced AI models trained on diverse datasets to improve recognition accuracy. Features like phonetic breakdowns and visual cues, such as animations showing correct mouth movements, will help users understand corrections. Additionally, users will have the option to replay practice sessions to review their feedback at their own pace.

3. Maintaining User Privacy

Collecting data for AI features poses privacy risks. To protect user information, we will use anonymized data for AI training and analysis. Our privacy policies will be clearly communicated, and users will need to give explicit consent for data collection. Robust security measures like data encryption and secure cloud storage will further safeguard user privacy.

4. Device Compatibility

Ensuring the app works smoothly across smartphones, tablets, and computers can be a challenge. We will use a cross-platform development framework like React Native to create an app compatible with multiple devices. By optimizing the interface for different screen sizes and resolutions and testing on a wide range of devices, we can deliver a seamless experience for all users.

5. Scalability of Features

Expanding the app to support more languages and features can be complex. To handle this, we will design a modular backend structure that allows new languages or tools to be easily integrated. Regular updates based on user feedback and language learning trends will keep the app relevant, and collaborations with linguists and AI experts will ensure high-quality, scalable content.

6. Realistic AI Avatar Interactions

Creating lifelike AI avatars that enhance the user experience without seeming unnatural is a challenge. To solve this, we will use advanced 3D rendering techniques and natural language processing (NLP) to make avatars respond naturally. Realistic speech patterns and facial expressions will make interactions feel authentic, and customization options for avatar appearance will provide a personal touch for users.

7. Cost and Resource Constraints

Balancing the budget while implementing advanced features is a significant challenge. To manage this, we will prioritize essential features like pronunciation feedback and language selection for the initial release. By using open-source AI frameworks, we can reduce development costs. Advanced features, such as detailed animations, will be introduced in later updates based on the app’s success and available resources.