The Whole App is a Blob
a day ago
- #minimalism
- #language learning
- #app design
- The author recounts a personal experience with learning French, highlighting the gap between classroom learning and real-world application, especially in high-pressure situations like ordering coffee.
- Describes the creation of a language learning app designed to simulate retrieval under pressure, focusing on minimalism and a single interactive 'blob' character to make learning feel more like a relationship than a task.
- Explains the design philosophy behind the app, emphasizing the importance of feedback that doesn't shame or overwhelm the user, and the challenges of creating an intuitive interface without traditional UI elements.
- Discusses the balance between minimalism and functionality, acknowledging the need for some form of progress tracking without turning the app into a gamified or guilt-inducing experience.
- Shares the outcomes of using the app, noting improvements in understanding numbers and basic phrases in French, while recognizing the limitations of the app in covering all aspects of language learning.
- Concludes with reflections on the app's design principles, including the decision to avoid punitive mechanics like character death or guilt-inducing notifications, aiming instead for a supportive and low-pressure learning environment.