Working as the UX/UI designer for Ollie was one of the most rewarding and challenging projects I’ve been a part of.

My Role and Responsibilities
My main responsibilities included creating wireframes, designing the app's layout, and developing a user survey to better understand what features would engage children aged 12 and under. Collaborating in a group setting wasn’t always easy because differing opinions often sparked debate but it pushed me to grow.

‍Learning Through Collaboration
I learned the value of compromise, listening to others, and combining ideas to create something better than I could have done on my own. These experiences helped me see how collaboration leads to a more refined and thoughtful design.

About Ollie
Our app, Ollie, is an interactive learning platform designed to foster creativity in children while introducing them to concepts like coding in a fun and accessible way. Unlike many educational tools that cater to teens and adults, Ollie addresses the lack of resources for younger children and tailors its approach to their needs. The app is designed to be engaging, focusing on playful learning rather than strict educational structures.

Features and Design Process
At the heart of the app is Ollie, a friendly sea otter mascot who serves as a companion and guide, making the learning journey feel personal and engaging. One of the most exciting parts of the design process was structuring the app as a storytelling game, where kids "help" Ollie solve problems rather than feeling pressured to study. For example, to teach children the coding concept of assigning variables, we created a playful scenario where they help Ollie communicate by organizing items into a box. This simple, visual approach makes it easier for kids to grasp complex concepts.

Impact and Future Vision
We also incorporated features like a progress roadmap to help kids visualize their growth over time, allowing them to see how much they've accomplished and what they can look forward to. Although we couldn’t include every idea in our demo, we envisioned adding an A.I. powered chatbot to make Ollie’s responses even more personalized and adaptive to each child's needs. Seeing this app come to life and knowing it could inspire kids to explore creativity and coding made all the challenges worth it. The journey of working on Ollie reinforced my passion for creating user-centered, fun, and engaging digital experiences.

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