Ekstep - Creative learning Initiative
EkStep Genie App (which means One Step) is a never-tried- before mega initiative to education 150 million students in India over the next 5 years through games and apps. Its an android app which helps rural students get access to content based on their native language and grade. The content helps students get better at language, math and cognitive abilities, in a fun and engaging manner.
EkStep Genie App (which means One Step) is a never-tried- before mega initiative to education 150 million students in India over the next 5 years through games and apps. Its an android app which helps rural students get access to content based on their native language and grade. The content helps students get better at language, math and cognitive abilities, in a fun and engaging manner.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Access to free primary education is the key motivation of the Genie App. The mobile app focuses on bridging the gap of educational content by providing high quality content through the effort of NGOs Pratham, Akshara and Ekstep Foundations in India. This initiative yielded Android app called Genie which was designed and developed in Good Work Labs. The team included UX Designers, Researchers, Visual artists and Developers. My primary role included Field research, client management, and UI Design. The challenge was to make the app intuitive to learn for kids and support multiple learning content efficiently.
Access to free primary education is the key motivation of the Genie App. The mobile app focuses on bridging the gap of educational content by providing high quality content through the effort of NGOs Pratham, Akshara and Ekstep Foundations in India. This initiative yielded Android app called Genie which was designed and developed in Good Work Labs. The team included UX Designers, Researchers, Visual artists and Developers. My primary role included Field research, client management, and UI Design. The challenge was to make the app intuitive to learn for kids and support multiple learning content efficiently.
USER RESEARCH
I visited the rural schools to observe kids' pattern and behavior while using the app and incorporate the changes necessary for each development cycle. User study was conduted in batches of five with kids from age groups of 5 - 10 years and observed the kids in their native environment. This experience made me understand the importance of usability study to any design and how we can strike the right balance between what users want, usability of the app without compromising on foundational design principles. It also made me understand how user requirements vary across different age groups, their cultural and linguistic background while giving me insights about how design can be improved with a multiple-perspective view. I was able to successfully integrate these ideas into the final app.
I visited the rural schools to observe kids' pattern and behavior while using the app and incorporate the changes necessary for each development cycle. User study was conduted in batches of five with kids from age groups of 5 - 10 years and observed the kids in their native environment. This experience made me understand the importance of usability study to any design and how we can strike the right balance between what users want, usability of the app without compromising on foundational design principles. It also made me understand how user requirements vary across different age groups, their cultural and linguistic background while giving me insights about how design can be improved with a multiple-perspective view. I was able to successfully integrate these ideas into the final app.
INSPIRATION
Apart from books, there are many mediums that can help us learn and understand various subjects. Inspired by the this, we reimagined Ekstep Genie app to be a platform for kids to learn from Stories, puzzles, and games.
Apart from books, there are many mediums that can help us learn and understand various subjects. Inspired by the this, we reimagined Ekstep Genie app to be a platform for kids to learn from Stories, puzzles, and games.
ROLE DESCRIPTION
My role involved solving the multitude of challenges. My primary responsibilities included initial research, information architecture, wireframing, visual design and implementation of the mobile application by embedding games, puzzles and stories in the app seamlessly.
My role involved solving the multitude of challenges. My primary responsibilities included initial research, information architecture, wireframing, visual design and implementation of the mobile application by embedding games, puzzles and stories in the app seamlessly.
WIREFRAME
After research and information architecture, here are the wireframes of content created to ideate the layout and actions in the app.
After research and information architecture, here are the wireframes of content created to ideate the layout and actions in the app.
VISUAL DESIGN
Considering kids as the primary target users of the app, colors are kept vibrant with bubbly shapes to engage the attention of kids towards the app.
Considering kids as the primary target users of the app, colors are kept vibrant with bubbly shapes to engage the attention of kids towards the app.
IMPACT
The app is used as a tool to survey the educational capabilities of Children in India by various other NGOs like Patham and Akshara Foundations.The project was selected as one of the 50 nominated entries for UX design awards in Germany 2016 conducted by International Design Centre - Berlin.
The app is used as a tool to survey the educational capabilities of Children in India by various other NGOs like Patham and Akshara Foundations.The project was selected as one of the 50 nominated entries for UX design awards in Germany 2016 conducted by International Design Centre - Berlin.