Iron Education, Teaching Aid and Training Content Design · 2024
Chinese Chain Language Learning App
by Deyin Zhang
- A' Design Award 2024 Iron Winner in Education, Teaching Aid and Training Content Design
- Awarded April 15, 2024
- CLIENT: Zhejiang University
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 29,049
- Verification code 873A7D9FFD · Verify this award
About Chinese Chain Language Learning App
Chinese Chain is a mobile application for learning Chinese characters and Chinese writing. The application is made for learners who are not yet proficient in Chinese. A word book allows users to add characters and to set daily learning plans, and word cards are shown in three colors to indicate learning proficiency. A word card can also serve as a template for writing practice, and the writing sequence and completeness are evaluated. Users can share word books and written works, and can join friend groups, competitions and rankings.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Chinese Chain is one of the few language-learning APPs for Chinese character writing and Chinese learning in the world. Chinese Chain is extremely friendly to those who are not proficient in Chinese. Based on the characteristics of Chinese hieroglyphs, the Chinese Chain uses writing and word cards to make learning and using Chinese more interesting. This is not only a learning software but also undertakes the task of cultural exchange.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- This application takes iPhone 12 as the template and refers to the official interface design specification of IOS. It is adaptable to many different resolutions and kinds of screens.
- Tags
- Chinese writing, Learning platform, Chinese learning, APP, Chinese
- Production Technology
- We interviewed nearly 100 unskilled Chinese learners from around the world. After the interview, we drew several versions of paper sketches to determine the basic structure of the application. Then, the interface prototype and low-fidelity design are carried out on Figma software. After low-fidelity prototype testing and further iteration, we used Adobe XD, illustrator and Procreate software on the computer side to draw high-fidelity visual elements such as illustrations and icons, and made interactive models on Adobe XD.
- Design Challenge
- In our research, we have observed that unskilled Chinese learners have many common problems: they have great difficulties in writing Chinese, and it is difficult to integrate into the Chinese context. The unique polysemy and writing order of Chinese make Chinese learning full of challenges. The most difficult part of this project is to create a truly universal and efficient learning platform for Chinese writing and communication. Finally, aiming at the above problems, we designed word cards, word books, intelligent Chinese writing and other functions. After making more than 50 prototypes, we are sure that we have done great things.
- Project Duration
- The project started in Hangzhou, China, in April 2022 and was completed in April 2023.
- Operation Flow
- Functions include Chinese word book: users can add characters to the word book and set daily learning plans. Wordbook presents word cards in three colors, indicating different learning proficiency. Users can share or view other people's word books.
Character writing: When writing, a word card can be a writing template. Chinese Chain evaluates the writing sequence and completeness. Users can frame their writing works online and share them.
In addition, it also has friend groups, competitions, and ranking functions. Chinese Chain encourages users to share or view others' word books and establish a Chinese communication platform. - Research
- At present, Chinese is going international. Unlike English and other Western languages, Chinese originated from ancient hieroglyphs in the East. The way of Chinese learning is more complicated, especially in writing. After many user surveys and desktop surveys, we found that the existing learning software can not combine Chinese character writing with Chinese learning, which poses a great challenge to Chinese learning. Therefore, we designed the Chinese Chain, a platform for learning and communication, for Chinese learning and writing.
- Inspiration
- More than 180 countries around the world are promoting Chinese learning, and the utilization rate of Chinese has reached 16.2%. According to our extensive user interviews with unskilled Chinese learners, we found that Chinese from Eastern hieroglyphs is different from Latin languages from the West. The learning path of Chinese is more complex, and the difficulties especially lie in the writing of characters and the unique polysemy, which makes it difficult for unskilled Chinese learners to truly integrate into the Chinese context. Therefore, we design Chinese Chain, an APP for Chinese character writing and communication.
- Image Credits
- Video Credits: followed by details. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t1_9JmvPW3Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXAYJDfyFIE - Patents
- The above material comes from our own team
Colors of Chinese Chain Language Learning App
Design Interview about Chinese Chain Language Learning App
My design mainly comes from the real needs of users. Many non-native Chinese speakers have told me that learning Chinese is difficult. Therefore, I had the inspiration to design this work
The focus is on helping non-native Chinese speakers quickly master Chinese grammar knowledge and Chinese culture.
My plan is to promote it well and let more people discover this design. I am very grateful for the support and assistance provided by Design A, especially in terms of promotion and publicity.
About a year.
It was my own inspiration, no one commissioned me to do this design.
The ownership of my design comes from me personally and does not belong to the design company. As of now, this design has not been sold or leased for production rights.
I think it was because I wanted to solve this practical problem, and this driving force inspired me to design this design.
My master's and doctoral supervisor, Luo Shijian, are legendary figures in my heart. He designed various aspects, such as the famous seats in China and the exercise system for astronauts. In addition, he is also a very famous design scholar. Every time I communicate with Professor Luo Shijian, it inspires me a lot. He is my idol. He has had a significant impact on my design.
It includes many types of users, all of whom are its target users.
The innovation of this design lies in the use of design cards to learn Chinese, and the continuous use of colors to reflect proficiency in different men.
This is a very direct name, CHINESECHAIN is the meaning of the Chinese link
Digital design tools such as Figma and Illustrator, as well as paper prototyping tools.
The most unique feature is that it meets the real needs of non-native Chinese learners.
I worked with other designers to complete this design. They were my former classmates. I have collaborated with professional designers before.
Technology is a form of support, but it is not the most important part. Digging into users' real needs is one of the most important aspects of this design.
yes. We obtained real user data through research and used this data to assist our design.
The entire design process was completed relatively smoothly without encountering any special challenges. I encountered some minor communication frictions in the collaborative design, but that wasn't considered a challenge.
I have chosen the most famous design competition in the world - the A Design Award. This is a decision recognized by all members of our team.
Learned about teamwork and how to allocate design tasks. This has enhanced my design management skills.