Project Overview

Pikako is a digital comic platform designed for children, allowing them to discover adventures, learn with their favorite characters, and enjoy interactive storytelling. The primary goal was to create an engaging, accessible, and easy-to-use experience with a visually appealing and functional interface.

My Role

As a Product Designer, I was responsible for user research, strategy, wireframing, visual design, and iterative usability testing.

User Research

Before designing the interface, I conducted a discovery phase to understand users and their needs, conducted interviews and surveys with parents and children to identify key insights:

• Children aged 6 to 12 as the primary audience.

• The need for intuitive and accessible navigation.

• Preference for visually engaging graphics and gamification.

Competitive Analysis

I analyzed digital comic and storytelling platforms such as Webtoon and Epic! to identify best practices and areas for improvement.

Key Insights

1. Personalization and gamification increase user retention.

2. Simplified navigation and accessibility are crucial for children.

3. Bright colors and illustrations enhance engagement.

UX Strategy & Information Architecture

Based on the research, I defined the information architecture and content hierarchy:

User Flow

I designed an optimized user flow to ensure key interactions were intuitive and frictionless:

1. Interactive onboarding and welcome screen to introduce the experience.

2. Comic exploration with intuitive category filters.

3. Comic detail view featuring highlighted episodes and recommendations.

4. Immersive reading mode with smooth navigation between pages.

Wireframing & Prototyping

Using the defined flow, I created low-fidelity wireframes to structure the interface and validate navigation before visual design. I then developed interactive prototypes in Figma for usability testing.

Design System

To maintain visual consistency, I designed a system with:

• Readable, child-friendly typography with rounded fonts.

• A vibrant color palette to enhance fun and dynamism.

• Large, accessible buttons optimized for touch interaction.

Gamification & UX Enhancements

I implemented gamification elements such as “NEW!” badges, personalization options, and a fluid navigation system with visually appealing buttons.

Usability Testing & Iterations

I conducted usability tests with children and parents to validate the effectiveness of the design.

Key Findings & Improvements

1. Simplified navigation: Adjusted category placement for better visibility.

2. Enhanced reading experience: Optimized reading mode with more intuitive controls.

3. Improved visual feedback: Added subtle animations and smooth transitions for a more immersive experience.

Final Outcomes & Learnings

Thanks to a research-driven and iterative design approach, Pikako achieved:
✅ An accessible and engaging interface for children
✅ Increased user engagement through gamification
✅ Seamless navigation optimized for touchscreens

This project allowed me to enhance my skills in UX Research, UI Design, and Usability Testing, demonstrating the importance of user-centered design.