LANGO
A language learning app for South Asian immigrant kids in the US - designed from the inside out.
LANGO
A language learning app for South Asian immigrant kids in the US - designed from the inside out.
Overview
A language learning app for South Asian immigrant kids in the U.S.A, built around physical flashcards and AR scanning - designed to make a language feel like it belongs to a child with cultural immersion.
Role
UX, Visual and Interaction Designer
Tools
Figma, After Effects
Team
Solo
Timeline
08 weeks
Overview
A language learning app for South Asian immigrant kids in the U.S.A, built around physical flashcards and AR scanning - designed to make a language feel like it belongs to a child with cultural immersion.
Role
UX, Visual and Interaction Designer
Tools
Figma, After Effects
Team
Solo
Timeline
08 weeks
THE PROBLEM
THE PROBLEM
I surveyed 12 parents - asking how they taught language at home, what techniques they used, what was stopping their kids from engaging with current apps, and whether they felt they needed something more.
I surveyed 12 parents - asking how they taught language at home, what techniques they used, what was stopping their kids from engaging with current apps, and whether they felt they needed something more.
I surveyed 12 parents - asking how they taught language at home, what techniques they used, what was stopping their kids from engaging with current apps, and whether they felt they needed something more.
85% - Speak their native language at home with their kids
75% - Kids still default to English
65% - No engaging cultural resources exist
50% - Parents can't teach consistently
The apps existed, but lacked cultural immersion.
85% - Speak their native language at home with their kids
75% - Kids still default to English
65% - No engaging cultural resources exist
50% - Parents can't teach consistently
The apps existed, but lacked cultural immersion.
Competitive Analysis
I reviewed 5 apps families already use - Duolingo, Lingokids, Homer, Kahoot Kids, and similar, to find out what was missing. This was back in 2024
Duolingo
Lingokids
Homer
Kahoot Kids
?
Similar apps
93%
Lacks Cultural Roots
The experience didn't reflect the intended Indian cultural context, making it feel generic and disconnected from its core purpose.
82%
Insufficient Micro Interactions
The interface felt static and under-stimulating for kids, lacking the joyful motion and responsiveness needed for engagement.
87%
Visual Design Felt Unpolished
Users mentioned the design lacked visual harmony and polish, especially in spacing, color usage, and character consistency.
98%
Missing Engagement
The app lacked moments of delight, progress celebration, or surprise that are key to holding a young child's attention.
Competitive Analysis
I reviewed 5 apps families already use - Duolingo, Lingokids, Homer, Kahoot Kids, and similar, to find out what was missing. This was back in 2024
Duolingo
Lingokids
Homer
Kahoot Kids
?
Similar apps
93%
Lacks Cultural Roots
The experience didn't reflect the intended Indian cultural context, making it feel generic and disconnected from its core purpose.
82%
Insufficient Micro Interactions
The interface felt static and under-stimulating for kids, lacking the joyful motion and responsiveness needed for engagement.
87%
Visual Design Felt Unpolished
Users mentioned the design lacked visual harmony and polish, especially in spacing, color usage, and character consistency.
98%
Missing Engagement
The app lacked moments of delight, progress celebration, or surprise that are key to holding a young child's attention.
WHO I DESIGNED FOR
I came in through the parent's door.
The design had to go through the child's
WHO I DESIGNED FOR
I came in through the parent's door.
The design had to go through the child's
WHO I DESIGNED FOR
I came in through the parent's door.
The design had to go through the child's.
PHYSICAL MEETS DIGITAL
PHYSICAL MEETS DIGITAL
How might we make language learning feel like it belongs to a child,
not like homework from their parents?
Learn
Children explore their native language through
bite-sized lessons, storytelling, and interactive games.
Play with friends
Learning becomes social with “Friend Mode,” where kids can team up,
challenge each other or collaborate on mini-games.
Earn Rewards
Every correct answer, completed level, or streak unlocks points, badges, and fun digital rewards.
How might we make language learning feel like it belongs to a child,
not like homework from their parents?
Learn
Children explore their native language through
bite-sized lessons, storytelling, and interactive games.
Play with friends
Learning becomes social with “Friend Mode,” where kids can team up,
challenge each other or collaborate on mini-games.
Earn Rewards
Every correct answer, completed level, or streak unlocks points, badges, and fun digital rewards.
How might we make language learning feel like it belongs to a child,
not like homework from their parents?
Learn
Children explore their native language through
bite-sized lessons, storytelling, and interactive games.
Play with friends
Learning becomes social with “Friend Mode,” where kids can team up,
challenge each other or collaborate on mini-games.
Earn Rewards
Every correct answer, completed level, or streak unlocks points, badges, and fun digital rewards.
PHYSICAL MEETS DIGITAL
PHYSICAL MEETS DIGITAL
PHYSICAL MEETS DIGITAL
Lango ships as a complete learning kit. Physical Devanagari flashcards come in the box.
The child holds a card, points the phone/iPad camera at it. One doesn't work without the other.
Lango ships as a complete learning kit. Physical Devanagari flashcards come in the box.
The child holds a card, points the phone/iPad camera at it. One doesn't work without the other.
Lango ships as a complete learning kit. Physical Devanagari flashcards come in the box.
The child holds a card, points the phone/iPad camera at it. One doesn't work without the other.
Onboarding
Playful animations pull the child in before a single word is taught. Signing up is optional - they can explore first, commit later.
Onboarding
Playful animations pull the child in before a single word is taught. Signing up is optional - they can explore first, commit later.
Learn and Generate your own stories with AI
Recognise letters. Match sounds. Each stage earns the next. Cards are laid out on screen. The child matches them in order. A story builds itself from what they place - word by word, in their language.
Learn and Generate your own stories with AI
Recognise letters. Match sounds. Each stage earns the next. Cards are laid out on screen. The child matches them in order. A story builds itself from what they place - word by word, in their language.
Where Lango lives on an iPad
The first version was phone-only. After testing with parents, one thing came back consistently - kids learn better on a larger screen, and parents trust it more. So Lango became both.
Where Lango lives on an iPad
The first version was phone-only. After testing with parents, one thing came back consistently - kids learn better on a larger screen, and parents trust it more. So Lango became both.
BUILDING THE CHARACTER AND IDENTITY DESIGN
BUILDING THE CHARACTER AND IDENTITY DESIGN
Designing the Soul of Lango
The experience is guided by a wise yet playful digital mascot, inspired by the traditional Indian pathshala (gurukul-style school) teacher.
Color Palette
#00369D
#1D76ED
#4785D7
#FF7644
#E31A50
#FFCB53
#25A5A3
Typography
FigTree
Language is play
Language is play
24pt · 18pt
McLaren
भाषा सीखो
भाषा सीखो
24pt · 18pt
Mood Board
Lagori — the level logic
Lagori-inspired Level Design
Learning progression is visualized as stacking stones, symbolizing knowledge-building step by step.
Cultural Metaphor
Rooted in the popular Indian street game, it connects play with tradition.
Playful Microinteractions
Sparkles, shake gestures, and animated overlays add delight and celebrate progress.
Designing the Soul of Lango
The experience is guided by a wise yet playful digital mascot, inspired by the traditional Indian pathshala (gurukul-style school) teacher.
Color Palette
#00369D
#1D76ED
#4785D7
#FF7644
#E31A50
#FFCB53
#25A5A3
Typography
FigTree
Language is play
Language is play
24pt · 18pt
McLaren
भाषा सीखो
भाषा सीखो
24pt · 18pt
Mood Board
Lagori — the level logic
Lagori-inspired Level Design
Learning progression is visualized as stacking stones, symbolizing knowledge-building step by step.
Cultural Metaphor
Rooted in the popular Indian street game, it connects play with tradition.
Playful Microinteractions
Sparkles, shake gestures, and animated overlays add delight and celebrate progress.
Key Takeaways ↓
(01) Start with the parent, design for the child
The research came through parents but every design decision had to earn the child's attention first.
(02) Physical and digital completing, not competing
The flashcard kit and the app only work together. That constraint became the most distinctive thing about Lango.
(03) Testing changed the product, not just the design
The iPad pivot wasn't a styling choice — parents said the phone wasn't working and the product responded.