Unravel — Conceptual Tablet App
Discover the future of reading.
Unravel — Conceptual Tablet App
Discover the future of reading.
Unravel — Conceptual Tablet App
Discover the future of reading.
Overview.
It’s no secret that reading for fun is on the decline—especially with older kids. What if we could transform the experience to be more social, personalized, and driven by modern technology? Unravel is a conceptual app built for early adolescents in the digital age. Here’s how this passion project reimagines the future of reading.
🚀 Deliverables
Tablet App, Promotional Website, Style Guide
🧠 Roles
Research, UX/UI Design, Prototyping, Design System
⏱️ Timeline
October - December 2020
Overview.
It’s no secret that reading for fun is on the decline—especially with older kids. What if we could transform the experience to be more social, personalized, and driven by modern technology? Unravel is a conceptual app built for early adolescents in the digital age. Here’s how this passion project reimagines the future of reading.
🚀 Deliverables
Tablet App, Promotional Website, Style Guide
🧠 Roles
Research, UX/UI Design, Prototyping, Design System
⏱️ Timeline
October - December 2020
Overview.
It’s no secret that reading for fun is on the decline—especially with older kids. What if we could transform the experience to be more social, personalized, and driven by modern technology? Unravel is a conceptual app built for early adolescents in the digital age. Here’s how this passion project reimagines the future of reading.
🚀 Deliverables
Tablet App, Promotional Website, Style Guide
🧠 Roles
Research, UX/UI Design, Prototyping, Design System
⏱️ Timeline
October - December 2020
Features at a glance.
Want to test it out?
Features at a glance.
Want to test it out?
Features at a glance.
Want to test it out?
Smart suggestions to find your next favourite read in minutes.
Get recommendations based on books you enjoyed previously to save time finding your next favourite read. The AI algorithm will tailor your feed according to your picks, always ensuring you have your own unique library.
Smart suggestions to find your next favourite read in minutes.
Get recommendations based on books you enjoyed previously to save time finding your next favourite read. The AI algorithm will tailor your feed according to your picks, always ensuring you have your own unique library.
Smart suggestions to find your next favourite read in minutes.
Get recommendations based on books you enjoyed previously to save time finding your next favourite read. The AI algorithm will tailor your feed according to your picks, always ensuring you have your own unique library.
Add some buddies to compete and progress together.
Get recommendations based on books you enjoyed previously to save time finding your next favourite read. The AI algorithm will tailor your feed according to your picks, always ensuring you have your own unique library.
Add some buddies to compete and progress together.
Get recommendations based on books you enjoyed previously to save time finding your next favourite read. The AI algorithm will tailor your feed according to your picks, always ensuring you have your own unique library.
Add some buddies to compete and progress together.
Get recommendations based on books you enjoyed previously to save time finding your next favourite read. The AI algorithm will tailor your feed according to your picks, always ensuring you have your own unique library.
Reading technology is here to help.
The latest tools and technology to help improve your reading skills are at your fingertips. From audio read-aloud to built-in dictionaries, you can independently progress to higher reading levels without struggling with unknown words.
Reading technology is here to help.
The latest tools and technology to help improve your reading skills are at your fingertips. From audio read-aloud to built-in dictionaries, you can independently progress to higher reading levels without struggling with unknown words.
Reading technology is here to help.
The latest tools and technology to help improve your reading skills are at your fingertips. From audio read-aloud to built-in dictionaries, you can independently progress to higher reading levels without struggling with unknown words.
How might we motivate older kids to read?
Design Process & Backstory • 2 min read
How might we motivate older kids to read?
Design Process & Backstory • 2 min read
How might we motivate older kids to read?
Design Process & Backstory • 2 min read
PROBLEM
Struggle to find the perfect read.
Contrary to the stereotype, older kids aren’t always avoiding reading because it’s boring. Studies show the top offenders are: not knowing which books they’d actually like, difficulty choosing the right level, and feeling frustrated when they hit tough vocabulary. Basically the entire experience feels like a guessing game—and not the fun kind.
PROBLEM
Struggle to find the perfect read.
Contrary to the stereotype, older kids aren’t always avoiding reading because it’s boring. Studies show the top offenders are: not knowing which books they’d actually like, difficulty choosing the right level, and feeling frustrated when they hit tough vocabulary. Basically the entire experience feels like a guessing game—and not the fun kind.
PROBLEM
Struggle to find the perfect read.
Contrary to the stereotype, older kids aren’t always avoiding reading because it’s boring. Studies show the top offenders are: not knowing which books they’d actually like, difficulty choosing the right level, and feeling frustrated when they hit tough vocabulary. Basically the entire experience feels like a guessing game—and not the fun kind.
RESEARCH
Talking to the experts (a.k.a. kids)
There's no better expert to ask than kids themselves, so I surveyed 13 middle schoolers to better understand their frustrations. Most agreed on two things: finding a good book takes too long, and reading would be more fun if they could share it with friends. This means we need to create an experience that is personalized, social, and just a little competitive.
RESEARCH
Talking to the experts (a.k.a. kids)
There's no better expert to ask than kids themselves, so I surveyed 13 middle schoolers to better understand their frustrations. Most agreed on two things: finding a good book takes too long, and reading would be more fun if they could share it with friends. This means we need to create an experience that is personalized, social, and just a little competitive.
RESEARCH
Talking to the experts (a.k.a. kids)
There's no better expert to ask than kids themselves, so I surveyed 13 middle schoolers to better understand their frustrations. Most agreed on two things: finding a good book takes too long, and reading would be more fun if they could share it with friends. This means we need to create an experience that is personalized, social, and just a little competitive.
INFORMATION ARCHITECTURE
Drafting the blueprint.
Armed with these insights, I mapped the information architecture and user journey, as well as collected visual research. Early ideation focused on core features such as: smart recommendations based on previous reads, social features like digital bookshelves and leaderboards, and built-in reading support like read-aloud and inline dictionaries.
COLLABORATIVE FEEDBACK
A little nudge in the right direction.
Collecting early feedback was a great strategy to quickly identify initial problems. When I shared wireframes with my peers, a lot of comments revolved around improving visual hierarchy and engagement. Changes such as more intuitive progress indicators and increasing gamification elements (i.e. leaderboard rankings, reading streaks, achievement badges), reinforced a greater sense of accomplishment to keep users engaged over time.
COLLABORATIVE FEEDBACK
A little nudge in the right direction.
Collecting early feedback was a great strategy to quickly identify initial problems. When I shared wireframes with my peers, a lot of comments revolved around improving visual hierarchy and engagement. Changes such as more intuitive progress indicators and increasing gamification elements (i.e. leaderboard rankings, reading streaks, achievement badges), reinforced a greater sense of accomplishment to keep users engaged over time.
COLLABORATIVE FEEDBACK
A little nudge in the right direction.
Collecting early feedback was a great strategy to quickly identify initial problems. When I shared wireframes with my peers, a lot of comments revolved around improving visual hierarchy and engagement. Changes such as more intuitive progress indicators and increasing gamification elements (i.e. leaderboard rankings, reading streaks, achievement badges), reinforced a greater sense of accomplishment to keep users engaged over time.
ITERATION / TESTING
When in doubt—vote on it.
I tested two versions of several designs with my peers, but the most critical to tackle was the book summary page. In the first variant, all the info sat side-by-side; in the second, the focus was on one action: Start Reading. Spoiler alert—the second layout won their hearts. This is how we can create momentum, with less distraction and more clarity.
ITERATION / TESTING
When in doubt—vote on it.
I tested two versions of several designs with my peers, but the most critical to tackle was the book summary page. In the first variant, all the info sat side-by-side; in the second, the focus was on one action: Start Reading. Spoiler alert—the second layout won their hearts. This is how we can create momentum, with less distraction and more clarity.
ITERATION / TESTING
When in doubt—vote on it.
I tested two versions of several designs with my peers, but the most critical to tackle was the book summary page. In the first variant, all the info sat side-by-side; in the second, the focus was on one action: Start Reading. Spoiler alert—the second layout won their hearts. This is how we can create momentum, with less distraction and more clarity.
DESIGN SYSTEM / MARKETING
How we seal the deal.
To bring everything together, I designed and built a promo site which encourages parents to download the app for their kids. I further created a style guide that defines how the Unravel brand, typography, colours, and other UI elements should be applied.
DESIGN SYSTEM / MARKETING
How we seal the deal.
To bring everything together, I designed and built a promo site which encourages parents to download the app for their kids. I further created a style guide that defines how the Unravel brand, typography, colours, and other UI elements should be applied.
DESIGN SYSTEM / MARKETING
How we seal the deal.
To bring everything together, I designed and built a promo site which encourages parents to download the app for their kids. I further created a style guide that defines how the Unravel brand, typography, colours, and other UI elements should be applied.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Lessons I’ll take with me.
🌍 When the world adapts, adapt with it: This project started during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic—the first time that many in-person education programs had to run fully remote. This helped me adapt early on how to design collaboratively from a distance without losing momentum.
🧩 Push outside the comfort zone: Designing for kids and parents taught me how to think beyond my own habits and assumptions.
🎮 Motion brings elements to life: Learning micro-interactions and advanced animations made the prototype feel more playful, immersive, and engaging for all users.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Lessons I’ll take with me.
🌍 When the world adapts, adapt with it: This project started during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic—the first time that many in-person education programs had to run fully remote. This helped me adapt early on how to design collaboratively from a distance without losing momentum.
🧩 Push outside the comfort zone: Designing for kids and parents taught me how to think beyond my own habits and assumptions.
🎮 Motion brings elements to life: Learning micro-interactions and advanced animations made the prototype feel more playful, immersive, and engaging for all users.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Lessons I’ll take with me.
🌍 When the world adapts, adapt with it: This project started during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic—the first time that many in-person education programs had to run fully remote. This helped me adapt early on how to design collaboratively from a distance without losing momentum.
🧩 Push outside the comfort zone: Designing for kids and parents taught me how to think beyond my own habits and assumptions.
🎮 Motion brings elements to life: Learning micro-interactions and advanced animations made the prototype feel more playful, immersive, and engaging for all users.
NEXT STEPS
Future me would…
If I picked this project back up, I’d love to invest more time in running usability tests with kids and parents, as well as get a business perspective on the market viability of my product. I’d also further develop how to integrate AI across the app, making use of the latest intelligent technology that was not widely available back when this project was conceptualized.
NEXT STEPS
Future me would…
If I picked this project back up, I’d love to invest more time in running usability tests with kids and parents, as well as get a business perspective on the market viability of my product. I’d also further develop how to integrate AI across the app, making use of the latest intelligent technology that was not widely available back when this project was conceptualized.
NEXT STEPS
Future me would…
If I picked this project back up, I’d love to invest more time in running usability tests with kids and parents, as well as get a business perspective on the market viability of my product. I’d also further develop how to integrate AI across the app, making use of the latest intelligent technology that was not widely available back when this project was conceptualized.