Kids using Bookful app spent more time with books
Bookful kids spent the screen time more productively
Bookful Kids engaged with books by their own
Challenges
Some books and games are staying unseen since there are more then 1000 of them.
Kids tend to stay on the same book without discovering new content.
Solutions
To solve this, I added personalization through additional interest filters to the child's profile, improving content sorting based on their preferences. I also updated the design system and established new design guidelines.
By earning badges for completing books, exploring new content, and achieving reading goals, users—especially children—stay motivated to continue learning. This gamified approach not only enhances progress tracking but also reinforces a sense of accomplishment, making it easier for users to master new content while enjoying an interactive and rewarding experience.
Bookful’s avatar customization feature enhances user engagement by rewarding progress with new customization items. As users unlock badges, they gain access to exclusive outfits and accessories from books and games they finished. That brings a sense of accomplishment and enables personalization of avatars, which brings satisfaction and motivation, encouraging users to keep exploring, reading, and progressing within the app.
As a Product Designer, I crafted an engaging experience for AT&T 5G users, the app’s primary audience who access the Bookful app through their 5G subscription. Knowing they spend the most time in games, I designed exclusive content with top-brand books and discovery games. By leveraging 5G capabilities, I optimized interactions, visuals, and user flow to boost engagement and retention, strengthening the AT&T partnership and driving business growth.
The previous library design required excessive vertical and horizontal scrolling, making it difficult for users to locate books, games, and key functions. This led to confusion, frustration, and an inefficient content management experience. With numerous shelves and diverse content, navigation became overwhelming for both children and adults.
Designing a library navigation system that serves both children and adults posed a challenge:
🔹 Kids need a simple, visual, and intuitive interface with minimal text.
🔹 Adults prefer structured search tools and detailed information.
🔹 Too much complexity confuses children, while oversimplification frustrates adults. A balanced approach was required to meet both needs while maintaining an engaging experience.
Sarah
6 years old
Sarah is curious and loves colorful visuals, interactive games, and storytelling. She's a beginner reader who enjoys engaging stories on her parents' devices.
Emily
33 years old
Emily, a tech-savvy mom, integrates technology into her 5-year-old son Alex’s education, seeking fun yet educational e-learning apps.
Solution 1: A More Intuitive Library Home Screen
Since the team preferred minimal development effort, I focused on streamlining the experience without drastically altering the interface.
It's a dedicated home screen for children, making navigation more intuitive. It includes shortcuts to:
🔹 Books
🔹 Games
🔹 A promotional animated character
Instead of overwhelming scrolling, I introduced a new shelf layout that includes:
🔹 Main menu icons and badges for quick access
Instead of overwhelming scrolling, I introduced a new shelf layout that includes:
🔹 Latest creations from played games
🔹Module-based shelves for better content grouping
Solution 2: Pop-Up Book Description for Better Engagement
To improve conversion rates and make books & games more accessible, I designed a pop-up window linking games and books for a seamless discovery experience.
Old version
New version
🔹 Games linked to the book for deeper engagement
🔹 Language icons (easier for kids to recognize)
🔹 Scrollable description (for parents & older users)
Summary
As a Product Designer at Bookful, I worked closely with PMs and developers to enhance the AR-powered reading and gaming experience, focusing on accessibility, engagement, and retention. I redesigned library navigation, search, and onboarding, making content more discoverable and user-friendly. Additionally, I introduced gamification features—such as badges and avatar customization—to drive deeper interaction. I also led the design of exclusive content for AT&T 5G users, optimizing interactions and user flow to strengthen retention and engagement. Though the app was eventually acquired and evolved into the MedTech industry, my experience in EdTech shaped my ability to craft immersive, educational, and high-impact digital experiences.
Copyright© 2023.