UI/UX, Illustration

IMAGINARY TOWER

Card game UX/UI design for a language game app
Time:     Dec,2020 - Feb 2021

Table of content

Part One:   Overview
Part Two:  Presentation
Part Three:  Research
Part Four:  Inspiration
Part Five:   Game Document
Part Six:    Card Design
Part Seven:   Charactors Design
Part Eight:   Wireframe

My roles

Research, Game document, Prototype, User testing, Game characters design, Game UI/UX design

Team

Independent

Tools

Adobe XD, Adobe Ai

OVERVIEW

Jump to the final design

Immaginary Miao Tower is a concept mobile card game based on Miao (Chinese Hmong) dialects and culture to increase the interest of learners in Miao language learning. Meanwhile, ordinary users can also play it without the learning system.
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As a game designer and artist, I contributed to the game design document, visual design, UX prototyping, and main UI pages. This project received player feedback positive feedback on the visual art style and game mechanics during testing.

Presentation

Step One

Log In
Multiple methods of verification are considered to access the Imaginary Miao Tower, such as phone numbers, social media accounts or quick logins. , such as phone numbers, social media platforms, and a rapid manner.

Step Two

Introduction
Players choose a Miao dialect they want to learn, or they can choose the full gameplay mode without the learning system.
Then the system introduce how to gain and activate Miao spell cards in the game scenarios and present the basic rule of using spell cards.

Step Three

Storytelling
Experience the storyline in different scenarios adapted from the Miao legendary tale.
After the guidance, players can go to the training centre to activate cards or learn Miao language grammar.

Step Four

Spell card activation
"Click" the Miao language sentence or words to check the translation.
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"Click" the diamond shape button to listen and speak out Miao language sentences. The system will increase the effectiveness of the spell cards after verifying players' voices.

Step Five

Settings
Players can change the learning language from the Eastern Miao language to the International Miao Language.
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They also can change the system language between English and simple Chinese.

Step Six

Enemy defeat
Enter the battlefield under the NPC's guidance.
Choose items from the item package.
on the battlefield.

Background Research

- Miao Nationality -
Miao nationality（also called Hmong or Xongb）is an old and international ethnic group that originated from ancient China. Due to historical reasons, the Miao people have been distributed separately and developed into different branches.
In China, the Miao language is divided into three major dialects (East Miao dialect, West Miao dialect and Central Miao dialect) by region.
- Current Situation of Miao Language -
Miao language speakers are leaving their hometowns.
Fewer Miao people speak Miao language in their daily life.
Traditional teaching method is facing the risk of collapse.
- Challenge -
How to raise the engagement of Miao(Hmong) language learners through gameplay?
How to create a new experience for digital card games by integrating Miao(Hmong) culture?
- Current learning methods -
The local government implemented Miao language course as an optional course for young students.
  • Follow the traditional teaching method: teachers teach in the classroom, and students memorise content and take exams.
  • The course duration is short, making it difficult for pupils to have a long-term experience.
Miao language leaners also can found related applications to do practice.
  • Mostly dictionary functions, with little teaching of pronunciation and system content.
  • Critical Hmong dialect content is lacking since they are designed for the international Miao language.

User Research

- Interview & Insights-
This is some text iI interviewed some Miao language learners and several mobile game players about their ideas of language learning and gaming.nside of a div block.
Interviewees
Questions
How do you learn a new language?
What kind of approach attracts you to keep learning?
What is the current mode of learning the Miao language?
How has your experience been?
What do you think about combining the game model with (language) learning?

They say:

Inspiration

Competitive Card Game
Win the game by reading the verses on the cards as soon as possible. Similar to the reading and speaking part of the language learning process.
Historical Internet Game
Game background and storytelling are inspired by real history, legendary tale and historical characters.
Mobile Game
Convenient and popular platform for modern players.
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[ Mobile interactive card game embracing Miao culture ]
[ Embed the Miao language learning system into digital cards ]
[ Selectable Miao dialects for users ]
[ A combination of speaking and text-based learning method ]
[ Delicate scenarios of Miao's daily life ]

Card Design

- The first version -
Feedback from users:
Unable to do speaking practice
Unclear distinction between SKILL and EFFECTIVENESS
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- The second version -
- Final card design -

Game Document

Charators Design

Wireframes
(Selected)

Designed by Xiaoyu Lei @ 2022