I looked at 3 vocabulary learning apps, Vocabulary, WordUp, and Knudge.Me, focusing primarily on the pros and cons of their UX. Vocabulary is a simple, elegant flashcard app that distinguishes itself through its customization option. WordUp uses solid learning theory like different contexts and rewards to help second language learners with vocabulary acquisition, but isn’t very helpful for native speakers looking to increase proficiency in professional fields. Knudge.Me uses games and rewards to help motivate users, but the reward system is locked behind a paywall. None of these apps perfectly solved the problem.

Key findings: 

• Users found vocabulary acquisition rewarding, felt unsuccessful when they couldn’t make time to study, and felt frustrated when they couldn’t recall necessary words in context.

• Users thought daily practice was important, customization makes the experience of vocabulary acquisition more meaningful, context was important, digital tools are convenient.

• Users practice using words in different ways, highlight and review unfamiliar words, place words in context, look up definitions, store information on their phones, and practice with tools like Quizlet.

Beyond using my key findings to inform my persona's behaviors, needs, and goals, some of the most important considerations for me in creating this persona were representation. For this reason, I chose to make my proto-persona encompass a lot of diversity, . They present as femme, but use they/them pronouns (one of my interviewees was LGBTQ). They are mixed race, from an immigrant family (one of my interviewees is from an immigrant family). They are a parent of a small child, navigating a career change (two of my interviewees were navigating career changes with small children).