Ruihong Jiang · CLIENT: Lumo
Lumo is a mobile learning application designed for children with dyslexia. The application supports reading and spelling practice through augmented reality and speech. Children explore story worlds, tap three-dimensional objects, and say the names of the objects aloud. Each spoken word is collected as a practice card, and completed sets unlock new chapters. Typography, contrast, and pacing are selected to reduce cognitive load, and colored highlights mark specific letters. The multi-sensory approach links sound, image, and meaning at a self-paced rhythm.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Lumo is a mobile language app that helps children with dyslexia improve reading and spelling through an immersive, multi sensory experience. Using augmented reality, children explore story worlds, tap 3D objects, and say words aloud to collect practice cards. As cards are gathered, new chapters unlock, encouraging progress. Voice interaction with Lumo builds confidence, turning language learning into a magical, self-paced journey.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Lumo is a concept mobile learning application for children with dyslexia, integrating augmented reality interaction, speech recognition, and multi-sensory visual feedback to support reading and spelling development. Designed for AR-capable smartphones, the system combines embodied word discovery, phonetic spelling exercises, and adaptive reward progression. Interface typography, contrast, and pacing are optimized to reduce cognitive load and enhance comprehension.
- Tags
- Dyslexia, educational app, app, interface design, user experience, education, inclusive, children
- Production Technology
- Digitally made, softwares and app including Figma, liblib, Photoshop, Illustrator, Blender, Procreate.
- Design Challenge
- A primary challenge was identifying a typographic and visual language suitable for children with dyslexia. Extensive review of dyslexia-friendly reading research informed decisions on letter clarity, spacing, and contrast. Another challenge involved balancing engagement and cognitive comfort: 2D styles risked low immersion, while highly stylized 3D could cause overstimulation. The final restrained 3D system achieves emotional warmth, clarity, and sustained attention without visual overload.
- Project Duration
- The Lumo project was conceived in 2025 and developed through iterative design, prototyping, and testing from March to June 2025. Research, interaction design, and visual development were conducted remotely in the United States with international consultation. The project culminated in a functional mobile prototype and presentation materials prepared for academic, professional, and exhibition contexts in 2025.
- Operation Flow
- Lumo guides children through interactive story worlds using augmented reality. By tapping familiar 3D objects and speaking their names aloud, users connect sound, image, and meaning in a single action. Collected word cards enable review and unlock new chapters, creating clear learning milestones. This multi-sensory flow reduces reading pressure, strengthens memory and pronunciation, and supports confident, self-paced language development.
- Research
- This applied design research investigates how multi-sensory AR interaction and visual emphasis on specific letters in words can can support reading acquisition for children with dyslexia. We have done extensive literature review. We have also done interaction prototyping so we can AB test and comparing visual style systems. Results indicated that the typeface Lumo is currently using facilitates reading for dyslexia people, 3d visual interface style also improved engagement and concentration. Colored highlights behind specific letters reduced cognitive load.
- Inspiration
- Lumo was designed for neurodiverse children, especially those with dyslexia who struggle with text-heavy reading apps. It reduces cognitive overload by combining spoken interaction, tactile AR exploration, and visual reinforcement to support memory and phonetic recognition. Through immersive 3D storytelling, children tap lifelike objects and speak their names, turning vocabulary learning into an intuitive, engaging experience.
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