About HelloTalk
HelloTalk is a language exchange app that allows users to chat with native speakers around the world. The app’s goal is to create a global community online through their space where users can learn many languages, cultures, and make friends.
-
This is a personal project where I redesigned components of the app HelloTalk based on user research I conducted.
-
~ 3 weeks
-
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Figma
-
UX Researcher
UX Designer
Research
HelloTalk is an app I am familiar with and used back in high school as I was learning French. So much has changed about the app since the last time I used it, and I decided to review it and see what current users were saying about it.
I analyzed about 12 reviews made by app reviewers, and looked at the ratings and comments made by about 200 users on Apple’s App Store, and compiled my data here:
Data and Findings
-
64% of users enjoyed the social aspect of the app with meeting and talking to new people.
(A significant amount of people complained about some users using the app inappropriately.)
-
31% mentioned that the social aspect of the app hindered language learning for them, and distracted them.
(They felt the app didn’t prioritize learning the language as much as meeting new people.)
-
29% reported difficulty navigating the app. A particular review mentioned:
“I needed to scroll down on my profile to find important info… please explore the app thoroughly in order to benefit from all its features.”
Problems
After reviewing the data I collected, I concluded that the social aspect of the app was very favorable to users. Though regulations were strict, users still felt discomfort with others’ intentions on the app, and that perhaps placing more emphasis, and having access to the language learning portion would help.
Browsing through the app, it is clear that navigation can be hard especially for new users. It may be difficult to know where to begin. The default start page is currently the “look for Best Match” page. Other than that, there isn’t a central location to find all the tools.
Approach
* User journey map of the HelloTalk app redesign
Solution
I wanted to create something a bit more vibrant and user-friendly. I started off by redesigning the logo, to match the app’s slogan, “Talk to the World.”
I created a homepage that felt welcoming, it allowed the users to have everything in front of them.
I made sure to make the language learning and lessons the first thing prioritized on the page, then placed the social aspects on the bottom.
I also reworded the ‘Best Match’ which made a lot of users think of a dating app and switched it to “Find Language Pal.” Though the inappropriate use of the app will have to be solved with further and stricter regulations, switching up the verbiage can make users feel a bit more comfortable.
My Designs
I solved the navigation issue by including a radial menu, the allowed the users to always be able to navigate to whatever part of the app they’d like. This radial menu can be dragged and is available on every page.