Acquilingua • UX dEVELOPMENT INTERN • Platform redesign
Acquilingua • UX dEVELOPMENT INTERN • Platform redesign
Rebuilding AI Chatbot Language Learning Platform
Rebuilding AI Chatbot Language Learning Platform
ROLE
ROLE
UX Development Intern
UX Development Intern
Team
Team
1 UX design intern (me)
2 co-founders
1 UX design intern (me)
2 co-founders
TIMELINE
TIMELINE
Mar 2026 - Now
Mar 2026 - Now
Tools
Tools
Figma
Figma
Figma Make
Figma Make
Codex
Codex
THE context
THE context
AcquiLingua is an AI language learning chatbot
AcquiLingua's AI tutor holds real conversation with you in your target language, calibrated to your level and your interests.
01 • discovery & the problem
01 • discovery & the problem
The interface was confusing and complicated to users
The interface was confusing and complicated to users
Many functions of the app were built in were hard for users to understand such as choosing lessons, emoji usage, and the buttons on the main chatbot interface.
To better understand the problem, I had users test the platform
I conducted 7 user tests to observe user patterns, and I saw a recurring theme. Users were frustrated with the long loading time, outdated design look, and didn't understand what the buttons functions were.
I conducted 7 user tests to observe user patterns, and I saw a recurring theme. Users were frustrated with the long loading time, outdated design look, and didn't understand what the buttons functions were.
USER TESTER 1
"When it revised my message, I couldn't even see my original message so I don't know what I did wrong. What's stopping people from just using ChatGPT to learn."
"When it revised my message, I couldn't even see my original message so I don't know what I did wrong."
USER TESTER 2
"I think it could look more modern. This is confusing as to how this would be better than any other language learning chatbot."
USER TESTER 3
"Little antiquated, not a modern website even though there are aspects that are. Landing page doesn’t look good and the globe isn't obvious to me that this is where I choose a language."
USER TESTER 4
"Put the settings in the main nav bar so we don't have to go back. I wish there was suggested questions the chatbot asks. I didn't expect it to correct my grammar and it's a little offensive."
There was a lot of criticism regarding the functionality and feel of this chatbot. A lot of users were not satisfied and wanted to use ChatGPT or another chatbot instead.
There was a lot of criticism regarding the functionality and feel of this chatbot. A lot of users were not satisfied and wanted to use ChatGPT or another chatbot instead.
02 • The solution
02 • The solution
I built an intuitive & guided user interface with interactive games
I built an intuitive & guided user interface with interactive games
IMPACT
IMPACT
IMPACT
01 — Built product using Figma Make & Codex to accurately show user flows & design to developer
01 — Built product using Figma Make & Codex to accurately show user flows & design to developer
01 — Built product using Figma Make & Codex to accurately show user flows & design to developer
02 — Conducted 7 user tests to uncover where learners were getting stuck, confused, or losing motivation
02 — Conducted 7 user tests to uncover where learners were getting stuck, confused, or losing motivation
02 — Conducted 7 user tests to uncover where learners were getting stuck, confused, or losing motivation
03 - Audited the onboarding flow & competitor platforms to assess user flows & elevate it
03 - Audited the onboarding flow & competitor platforms to assess user flows & elevate it
03 - Audited the onboarding flow & competitor platforms to assess user flows & elevate it
04 — Created gamified and progress oriented experience to incentive user engagement
04 — Created gamified and progress oriented experience to incentive user engagement
04 — Created gamified and progress oriented experience to incentive user engagement
FEATURE 01 • Onboarding flows to guide the user & gain data about their language learning habits
FEATURE 02 • Home page w/ topic suggestions & quick practice tasks for users
FEATURE 02 • Home page w/ topic suggestions & quick practice for users
FEATURE 03 • Translate functions & grammar correction for users with turn-based rounds to indicate the end of chatbot usage
FEATURE 03 • Translate functions & grammar correction for users
FEATURE 04 • Flashcard testing system
03 • DESIGN PROCESS
This is my standard UX process, but I tried something new
I am currently in the build & test more phase, building screens with Codex for the first time.
My role
My role
UX Development Intern
• Built platform design and interactivity using Codex
• Conducted 5 user testing to assess user's interaction patterns & pain points
• Working closely with developer and co-founder to align stakeholder and users goals
My UX Design Process
My UX Design Process
My process follows these steps, but I went straight into hi-fi design, building it through Codex due to lack of time.
My process follows these steps, but I went straight into hi-fi design, building it through Codex due to lack of time.
01 / OBSERVE
01 / OBSERVE
01 / OBSERVE
Observations
& Audit
Observation
& Audit
Observation
& Audit
Locate friction and inconsistency
Locate friction & inconsistency
Locate friction and inconsistency
02 / COMPARE
Competitor Audit
Find patterns worth adapting
→
02 / COMPARE
02 / COMPARE
Competitor Audit
Find patterns worth adapting & help users
Find patterns worth adapting & help users
→
03 / GATHER
03 / GATHER
03 / GATHER
User Testing
User Testing
User
Testing
Gaining understanding of the problem
Gaining data to find the problem
Gaining data to find the problem
04 / MAKE & REFINE
Hi-fi Redesign
Built frames using Codex & refining it
05 / TESTING
Build & Test More
User test more, refine user flows
06 / SHIP
Deliver & Hand Off
Finalizing design then handoff
→
→
→
↓
06 / SHIP
06 / SHIP
Deliver & Hand Off
Documenting, finalizing, & handoff.
Documenting, finalizing, & handoff
←
05 / TESTING
05 / TESTING
Build & Test More
User test more, connect & refine user flows
User test more, refine user flows
←
04 / MAKE & REFINE
04 / MAKE & REFINE
Hi-fi Design
Built frames using Codex & refining it
Built frames using Codex & refining it
04 • RESEARCH & SYNTHESIS
First, I conducted an internal audit of AcquiLingua and where a user would experience friction. From there, I looked at possibilities of opportunity within the gamification space and optimization of the chatbot for users.
Let's better understand where friction is in the existing product
First, I conducted an internal audit of Acquilingua and where a user would experience friction. From there, I looked at possibilities of opportunity within the gamification space and optimization of the chatbot for users.
Let's see what other competitors are doing
Let's see what other competitors are doing
I audited 7 different AI language learning apps and AI chatbots (ex. ChatGPT, Claude, Talkpal, Pingo AI, Duolingo, etc) to observe their onboarding flows, training methods, and how they gamified the experience.
I audited 7 different AI language learning apps and AI chatbots (ex. ChatGPT, Claude, Talkpal, Pingo AI, Duolingo, etc) to observe their onboarding flows, training methods, and how they gamified the experience.
The main features I noticed in apps were: a streak system, user speech optimization, a clean and colorful interface, emphasizing learner impact, and strong gamification.
04 • RESEARCH & SYNTHESIS
First, I conducted an internal audit of Acquilingua and where a user would experience friction. From there, I looked at possibilities of opportunity within the gamification space and optimization of the chatbot for users.
Let's better understand where friction is in the product
05 • hi-fi design
05 • hi-fi design
Building quickly with Codex & Figma Make
Building with Codex & Figma Make
After gathering data from users and competitor audits, I moved into hi-fi design and used Codex to create hi-fi wireframes for me due to lack of time.
The wireframes were a bit off formatting wise, but it provided a good baseline for the final design.
The wireframes were a bit off formatting wise, but it provided a good baseline for the final design.
I used this same method for the rest of my design process and wanted to emphasize gamification, as well as having a fun interface for users.
I used this same method for the rest of my design process and wanted to emphasize gamification, as well as having a fun interface for users.
But, something unexpected happened..
But, something unexpected happened..
I looked at the revised version the developer created, and the design did not convert well.
I decided to use AI to code my design & help it translate accurately
I decided to use AI to code my design & help it translate accurately
I decided to use AI to code my design & help it translate accurately
At first, I coded the screens using Figma Make and then moved it over to Codex for more usage. Through there, I've been adding on screens slowly into the user flow mix.
The product began to look pretty much accurate to my original design and it functioned well. There was no obvious bugs or tech debt within the product.
But, something unexpected happened..
I looked at the revised version the developer created, and the design did not convert well.
06 • final design
06 • final design
An AI language learning chatbot that motivates you to learn
The new chatbot now has onboarding, fast response times, chat customization options, and gamification for their users.
We need to indicate how much usage the user has and streamline the chatting system
We need to indicate how much usage the user has and streamline the chatting system
• Turn-based progress bars to indicate users usage
• Streamlined chatbot to send a lot faster
• Translate function, like and dislike response, and share button
Guided topic suggestions for users & home page for aided user flows
Guided topic suggestions for users & home page for aided user flows
Added header section w/ call to action for user to start a chat along with topic suggestions based on their interests. For less cognitive load practice, there are quick practice sections below.
Simplified speech to text settings and added tone and speech style for the AI
Simplified speech to text settings and added tone and speech style for the AI
Now there is:
• Added speech tone options
• Teaching style options
• Language learning options
• Talking speed controls
Now there is:
• Added speech tone options
• Teaching style options
• Language learning options
• Talking speed controls
New feature: flashcard learning system
New feature: flashcard learning system
• Emojis correlated with the meaning for easier recall
• Liked words saved into a new collection
• Sentence building practice for users
• Users can then say that sentence they built & AI will grade pronunciation
• Emojis correlated with the meaning for easier recall
• Liked words saved into a new collection
• Sentence building practice for users
• Users can then say that sentence they built & AI will grade pronunciation
Sentence building practice w/ pronunciation grading
Sentence building practice w/ pronunciation grading
• Users can choose words to build sentence structures
• After that, users can practice pronouncing the sentence and AI will grade accuracy
• Users can choose words to build sentence structures
• After that, users can practice pronouncing the sentence and AI will grade accuracy
THE context
AcquiLingua is an AI language chatbot
AcquiLingua's AI tutor holds real conversation with you in your target language, calibrated to your level and your interests.
01 • discovery & the problem
The interface was confusing and complicated to users
Many functions of the app were built in were hard for users to understand such as choosing lessons, emoji usage, and the buttons on the main chatbot interface.
To better understand the problem, I had users test the platform
I conducted 7 user tests to observe user patterns, and I saw a recurring theme. Users were frustrated with the long loading time, outdated design look, and didn't understand what the buttons functions were.
USER TESTER 1
"When it revised my message, I couldn't even see my original message so I don't know what I did wrong."
USER TESTER 2
"I think it could look more modern. This is confusing as to how this would be better than any other language learning chatbot."
USER TESTER 3
"Little antiquated, not a modern website even though there are aspects that are. Landing page doesn’t look good and the globe isn't obvious to me that this is where I choose a language."
USER TESTER 4
"Put the settings in the main nav bar so we don't have to go back. I wish there was suggested questions the chatbot asks. I didn't expect it to correct my grammar and it's a little offensive."
There was a lot of criticism regarding the functionality and feel of this chatbot. A lot of users were not satisfied and wanted to use ChatGPT or another chatbot instead.
03 • DESIGN PROCESS
This is my standard UX process, but I tried something new
I am currently in the build & test more phase, building screens with Codex for the first time.
My role
UX Development Intern
• Built platform design and interactivity using Codex
• Conducted 5 user testing to assess user's interaction patterns & pain points
• Working closely with developer and co-founder to align stakeholder and users goals
Learnings
01 - Building products through Figma Make and Codex
01 - Building products through Figma Make and Codex
02 - Learning more about how front-end coding and how to build
02 - Learning more about how front-end coding and how to build
03 - User testing to understand more about gamification and how they interact with an AI bot
03 - User testing to understand more about gamification and how they interact with an AI bot
Project TAKEAWAY
Project TAKEAWAY
This was my first time building a live product connected to my design and it felt extremely rewarding being able to see my product redesign come to life. I worked very closely with stakeholders throughout this process and learned a lot about their expectations in combination with users expectations of the AI language learning chatbot. This was a great experience overall.
This was my first time building a live product connected to my design and it felt extremely rewarding being able to see my product redesign come to life. I worked very closely with stakeholders throughout this process and learned a lot about their expectations in combination with users expectations of the AI language learning chatbot. This was a great experience overall.
Learnings
01 - Be clean & concise with auto layout
02 - Learning more about how front-end coding and how to build
03 - User testing to understand more about gamification and how they interact with an AI bot
Contact: Laureemytam@gmail.com
Say hi! :]
