Kakimasu is a Japanese language learning application with a unique focus on writing skills, designed to make character acquisition intuitive and engaging. The app bridges the gap between traditional textbook-based learning and gamified language apps by providing a structured, writing-centric approach to Japanese.
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3 months
Product Designer
Figma, Miro, Swift, Notion
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Learning Japanese presents unique challenges due to its three writing systems (hiragana, katakana, and kanji) and the precision required for proper character formation. Existing language apps often prioritize vocabulary and speech, neglecting the critical foundation of writing skills.
To gain a deep understanding of the Japanese language learning landscape and uncover areas for innovation, I carried out extensive market research and user studies. This involved engaging participants at various skill levels-beginner, intermediate, and advanced-through Discord.
Each participant took part in a 45-minute session featuring guided tasks and a think-aloud protocol, allowing for real-time insights into their learning process. Before and after these sessions, I gathered additional feedback through questionnaires and interviews. To objectively assess usability, I also incorporated the System Usability Scale (SUS) into the evaluation process.
I analyzed five leading competitors (Duolingo, Japanese! by Renzo, LingoDeer, Kanji Study, and HelloTalk) to identify market gaps and opportunities:
