Planning

Research

Writing

Planning

Research

Writing

Dyslexia App - Phase 0 with Tech Fleet

Dyslexia App - Phase 0 with Tech Fleet

Dyslexia App - Phase 0 with Tech Fleet

Research

Analysis

Discovery

14 point font. Sans serif. Left-aligned.

During UX research, our team discovered that these are the minimum typographic standards for dyslexic readers.

All text in this case study follows this recommendation.

This text is size 14 point font, sans serif (Inter), and left-aligned.

During UX research for this project, we discovered that this is the recommended minimum font size, text style, and optimal alignment for dyslexic readers.

All text on this page follows this recommendation.

What was…

What was…

…the "Dyslexia App" Project?

…the "Dyslexia App" Project?

What is the
"Dyslexia App" Project?

Still on-going, the project aims to create a groundbreaking learning tool to empower dyslexic West Africans of school age in a never-seen-before way.

Still on-going, the project aims to create a groundbreaking learning tool to empower dyslexic West Africans of school age in a never-seen-before way.

…"Phase 0"?

…"Phase 0"?

…"Phase 0"?

Despite the zero, this is actually the very first phase of the project, compressed into a 4-week sprint.
The work in this phase consisted of the foundational UX research upon which all subsequent design work is based.

Despite the zero, this is actually the very first phase of the project, compressed into a 4-week sprint.
The work in this phase consisted of the foundational UX research upon which all subsequent design work is based.

…my role & contribution?

…my role & contribution?

…my role & contribution?

I was a UX Design Apprentice specializing in research within a fantastic team of 6 UX designers
(2 Leads + 4 Apprentices).

I was a UX Design Apprentice specializing in research within a fantastic team of 6 UX designers (2 Leads + 4 Apprentices).

I was a UX Design Apprentice specializing in research within a fantastic team of 6 UX designers
(2 Leads + 4 Apprentices).

Why this project matters…

Why this project matters…

With UX research, we uncovered a massive opportunity to improve literacy and cognitive skills development across West Africa - particularly in Nigeria.


With UX research, we uncovered a massive opportunity to improve literacy and cognitive skills development across West Africa - particularly in Nigeria.



During research, we uncovered a massive opportunity to improve literacy and cognitive skills development across West Africa - particularly in Nigeria.



Issue
Nigeria has among the highest rates of dyslexia in the world.

Idea
Develop an e-learning product that can empower dyslexic individuals.

Issue
Nigeria has among the highest rates of dyslexia in the world.

Idea
Develop an e-learning product that can empower dyslexic individuals.

Issue
Nigeria has among the highest rates of dyslexia in the world.

Idea
Develop an e-learning product that can empower dyslexic individuals.

Image by Annie Spratt. Unsplash.

Image by Annie Spratt. Unsplash.

Issue
90% of Nigerian teachers are unfamiliar with the dyslexia condition.

Idea
Incorporate informational resources and strategic tools for teachers, so they can collaborate with students using the future product.

Issue
90% of Nigerian teachers are unfamiliar with the dyslexia condition.

Idea
Incorporate informational resources and strategic tools for teachers, so they can collaborate with students using the future product.

Issue
90% of Nigerian teachers are unfamiliar with the dyslexia condition.

Idea
Incorporate informational resources and strategic tools for teachers, so they can collaborate with students using the future product.

Image by Zach Wear. Unsplash.

Image by Zach Wear. Unsplash.

Issue
Misconceptions & stigmas about perceived negative diagnoses are still prevalent in West Africa.

Idea
To promote empathy, consciousness, and unity, involve parents as crucial stakeholders in the user-centric design method.

Issue
Misconceptions & stigmas about perceived negative diagnoses are still prevalent in West Africa.

Idea
To promote empathy, consciousness, and unity, involve parents as crucial stakeholders in the user-centric design method.

Issue
Misconceptions & stigmas about perceived negative diagnoses are still prevalent in West Africa.

Idea
To promote empathy, consciousness, and unity, involve parents as crucial stakeholders in the user-centric design method.

Image by Dodi Tshionza. Unsplash.

Image by Dodi Tshionza. Unsplash.

Issue
Dyslexic individuls, especially students, often have comorbidities that make it especially difficult to manage their condition.

Idea
Account for holistic cognitive skills development in the product design. This includes (but not limited to) rewards-based gamification; supplementing text with symbols & visual cues; clear and inviting interface.

Issue
Dyslexic individuls, especially students, often have comorbidities that make it especially difficult to manage their condition.

Idea
Account for holistic cognitive skills development in the product design. This includes (but not limited to) rewards-based gamification; supplementing text with symbols & visual cues; clear and inviting interface.

Issue
Dyslexic individuls, especially students, often have comorbidities that make it especially difficult to manage their condition.

Idea
Account for holistic cognitive skills development in the product design. This includes (but not limited to) rewards-based gamification; supplementing text with symbols & visual cues; clear and inviting interface.

Image by Alex Radelich. Unsplash.

Image by Alex Radelich. Unsplash.

How We Got There

How We Got There

Background Research

Background Research

Background Research

Embarking on discovery

Competitor Analysis

Competitor Analysis

Competitor Analysis

Unveiling the market pacesetters

SWOT
Analysis

SWOT
Analysis

SWOT Analysis

Assessing market leaders

User Research

User
Research

User Research

Putting user needs first by seeking to understand them

Proto-Personas

Proto-Personas

Proto-Personas

Humanizing the user experience

Where we go from here…

Where we go from here…

Where we go from here…

Phase 1 Recommendations

Continue user research with additional surveying and interviews. Expand the sample size until "information saturation" (when findings begin to repeat).

Iterate proto-personas into full-fledged personas. Also, add more personas to reflect comorbidities often observed alongside dyslexia.

Create journey maps by deeply examining the thought processes each persona might use to solve tasks.

Construct information architecture (site mapping, card sorting, etc.) to organize potential product content and hierarchy.

Sketch low fidelity wireframes to ideate product layout and navigation.

Conduct rapid prototyping to uncover potential usability flaws early.

Continue product discovery. Should it be a mobile-only app? Responsive web app (all platforms)? Add hard copy deliverables for areas with little-to-no Internet infrastructure/access?

Even as a proposed free, open source e-learning product, creating a Business Requirements Document to guide setup, operation, and distribution would provide strategic value for short-, medium- and long-term success.

Phase 1 Recommendations

Continue user research with additional surveying and interviews. Expand the sample size until "information saturation" (when findings begin to repeat).

Iterate proto-personas into full-fledged personas. Also, add more personas to reflect comorbidities often observed alongside dyslexia.

Create journey maps by deeply examining the thought processes each persona might use to solve tasks.

Construct information architecture (site mapping, card sorting, etc.) to organize potential product content and hierarchy.

Sketch low fidelity wireframes to ideate product layout and navigation.

Conduct rapid prototyping to uncover potential usability flaws early.

Continue product discovery. Should it be a mobile-only app? Responsive web app (all platforms)? Add hard copy deliverables for areas with little-to-no Internet infrastructure/access?

Even as a proposed free, open source e-learning product, creating a Business Requirements Document to guide setup, operation, and distribution would provide strategic value for short-, medium- and long-term success.

Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned

If necessity is the
mother of invention,
then timing is the
mother of documentation.

If necessity is the
mother of invention,
then timing is the
mother of documentation.

If necessity is the
mother of invention,
then timing is the
mother of documentation.

In a fast-paced environment, timely and accurate file sharing is crucial to minimize miscommunication.


From a design process perspective, this means clearly defining task expectations and deadlines at the outset.

The greatest potential for e-learning success comes from recognizing, and designing for students, in the context of their community environment.

The greatest potential for e-learning success comes from recognizing, and designing for students, in the context of their community environment.

The greatest potential for e-learning success comes from recognizing, and designing for students, in the context of their community environment.

Learning is actually a social activity.


Even if a student studies a topic individually for a period of time, the information they consume and tasks performed invariably become shared with a peer, educator, or family or friend - all of whom represent a part of their community.


The "sharing" itself may take the form of questions asked, assignment submission, or even resistance to the curriculum.


Designs should therefore account for the various stakeholders who are directly and indirectly involved with the student's learning journey, i.e. their community.

A task
"buddy system"
is an efficient & effective working style for Agile
environments.

A task
"buddy system"
is an efficient & effective working style for Agile
environments.

A task
"buddy system"
is an efficient & effective working style for Agile
environments.

Early in the sprint, the UX research team decided to conduct tasks in pairs. It proved fortuitous. We eventually coined it the "buddy system".


In a design sprint environment, there is a constant balance between moving quickly and producing high quality deliverables. Using the buddy system, two people could produce twice the work in a short amount of time. Equally importantly, team-building also accelerated with collaborative brainstorming and idea exchange on Slack, file creation and sharing on FigJam, and spot check-ins over Zoom and Google Meet.


Perhaps the most valuable business proposition from this approach is positive redundancy by having multiple team members familiar with and qualified to speak to their respective deliverables.

Dyslexia is a neurological disorder, NOT a behaviorial deficiency.

Dyslexia is a neurological disorder, NOT a behaviorial deficiency.

Dyslexia is a neurological disorder, NOT a behaviorial deficiency.

In plain terms: dyslexia should not be equated with personality or intelligence. With sufficient educational resources and support, it is treatable.


While behavior may be affected by the underlying disorder, dyslexic individuals also possess uniquely adaptable skills.


From a design standpoint, this means tailoring the user interface to cater to range of learning styles suitable for dyslexic individuals. For example: associating symbols with words, succinct text, auditory and visual cues, high contrast, engaging avatars and game-based rewards for motivation.

Dyslexic individuals often present with comorbidities as well.

Dyslexic individuals often present with comorbidities as well.

Dyslexic individuals often present with comorbidities as well.

Based on the client's expert observations, there are often accompanying cognitive disorders, which can unfortunately compound the effects of dyslexia. Example comorbidities include Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), anxiety, and speech/language disorders.


The recommended solution is design holistically by accounting for each of these potential cognitive disorders in the product UX and UI.

Would you like to know more about dyslexia in West Africa?

Would you like to know more about dyslexia in
West Africa?

The following resources were particularly informative for our project:

The following resources were

particularly informative for our project: