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Works
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About

Wordiary

Wordiary

As a Korean teacher, I observed students split between flashcard memorization and handwriting practice. This sparked my curiosity to test which digital approach would be most engaging, evolving from lo-fi A/B testing to functional prototype development using AI tools.

Role

UX/UI Design, Development

Team

Solo Project

Timeline

Apr 2025 - Jul 2025

Platform

Responsive Web

Outcome

9.3/10 user flow 9.7/10 motivation

Test Prototype ↗

Context

How Can Digital Experiences Transform Korean Vocabulary Learning?

Korean ranked 7th most studied language on Duolingo (17.7M learners whose native language is English) in 2024, driven by K-culture. As a Korean teacher, I observed students split between flashcard memorization and handwriting practice. Korean's unique Hangul block structure seemed perfect for touch interfaces, sparking my curiosity: which digital approach would be most effective? So I created lo-fi A/B prototypes and conducted initial usability testing.

Problem

Lo-Fi Prototypes Couldn't Validate Real Writing Experience

A/B testing revealed beginners preferred interactive canvas (75%) over flashcards, but lo-fi prototypes failed to test actual handwriting. Without real interaction, users couldn't evaluate the writing experience properly. With my limited coding skills, I could not build a functional app from scratch.

Lo-Fi Prototypes Couldn't Validate Real Writing Experience

A/B testing revealed beginners preferred interactive canvas (75%) over flashcards, but lo-fi prototypes failed to test actual handwriting. Without real interaction, users couldn't evaluate the writing experience properly. With my limited coding skills, I could not build a functional app from scratch.

Solution

"Vibe Coding" Breakthrough

I discovered "vibe coding"—building apps with natural language prompts through AI assistance. After testing multiple platforms, Figma Make enabled direct design-to-code transformation, automatically generating sound effects, animated feedback, and live handwriting capabilities that would have taken weeks to code manually.

Result

Improved Learning Flow and Higher Motivation Prove Interactive Writing Success

Functional testing with 8 users (5 new, 3 returning) completely transformed results. First-time users praised the intuitive flow and perfect session length for mobile learning. Returning users were amazed by the dramatic improvement from lo-fi experience, expressing excitement that they "could actually write in real-time" and feel genuine handwriting feedback. The functional prototype validated that complex interactions require real implementation to assess true user value.

First-Time Users: High Learning Satisfaction

Learning Flow Clarity: 9.0/10 Session Length: 10.0/10 Motivation: 9.0/10

Returning Users: Dramatically Improved Motivation

Learning Flow Improved: 9.3/10 Handwriting Improved: 9.3/10 Motivation Improved: 9.7/10

Improved Learning Flow and Higher Motivation Prove Interactive Writing Success

Functional testing with 8 users (5 new, 3 returning) completely transformed results. First-time users praised the intuitive flow and perfect session length for mobile learning. Returning users were amazed by the dramatic improvement from lo-fi experience, expressing excitement that they "could actually write in real-time" and feel genuine handwriting feedback. The functional prototype validated that complex interactions require real implementation to assess true user value.

First-Time Users: High Learning Satisfaction

Learning Flow Clarity: 9.0/10 Session Length: 10.0/10 Motivation: 9.0/10

Returning Users: Dramatically Improved Motivation

Learning Flow Improved: 9.3/10 Handwriting Improved: 9.3/10 Motivation Improved: 9.7/10

Reflection

AI Transforms Designer Capabilities

This project redefined what's possible in prototyping. Hands-on "vibe coding" experience revealed AI's immense potential for generating functional code and discovered the need for deeper AI learning. Direct app control without handoffs enabled continuous, feedback-driven improvement and high-quality app development potential. This highlighted the evolving role of designers beyond aesthetics toward engineering focus—AI app builder agents allow direct implementation, suggesting designers as future implementers who can iteratively test feasible prototypes without traditional development constraints.

AI Transforms Designer Capabilities

This project redefined what's possible in prototyping. Hands-on "vibe coding" experience revealed AI's immense potential for generating functional code and discovered the need for deeper AI learning. Direct app control without handoffs enabled continuous, feedback-driven improvement and high-quality app development potential. This highlighted the evolving role of designers beyond aesthetics toward engineering focus—AI app builder agents allow direct implementation, suggesting designers as future implementers who can iteratively test feasible prototypes without traditional development constraints.

Email
soyeon.design@gmail.com
Resume ↗
LinkedIn ↗

@ 2025 Soyeon Kim.

Email
soyeon.design@gmail.com
Resume ↗
LinkedIn ↗

@ 2025 Soyeon Kim.

Email
soyeon.design@gmail.com
Resume ↗
LinkedIn ↗

@ 2025 Soyeon Kim.