UX Case Study: The French Study
UX Case Study: The French Study
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Role: Lead UX Designer, Researcher, Web Developer - bringing the project from concept to delivery, and then from development to launch.
Target: Parents searching for effective after-school French support, and adults looking for structured yet flexible learning opportunities to build confidence in French.
Goal: To expand access to quality French language education through a dynamic online platform that serves both school-age learners and adult students, creating flexible, engaging learning opportunities for all proficiency levels.
Final Design
Final Design
Final Design and Development Process:
The solution delivers a focused, menu-driven interface that surfaces all critical functionality and information immediately within the viewport. Strategic information architecture keeps primary actions accessible while allowing deeper exploration through:
Above-the-fold placement of core features
Progressive disclosure of supporting content
Purposeful CTAs guiding users to high-value resources
Iterative Refinement
Through successive wireframing and prototyping cycles, we evolved the design into a modern, minimalist experience featuring:
Intuitive navigation patterns
Streamlined user flows
Reduced cognitive load through visual clarity
Development Execution
After design finalization, the solution was implemented in WordPress, where the following was achieved:
Translated UX designs into functional code
Fine-tuned CSS for pixel-perfect rendering
Optimized interactive elements during development
Maintained design integrity while ensuring technical feasibility
Research Study Details
Research Study Details
Through in-depth interviews and empathy mapping, I uncovered key behaviors and pain points among our users—particularly parents investing in their children’s bilingual education. The pandemic intensified demand for flexible, remote-friendly solutions, reshaping expectations for supplemental language programs.
Validated Assumptions + Surprising Constraints
While research confirmed the core need for quality French instruction, it exposed critical barriers influencing user decisions:
Scheduling Flexibility:
Parents require classes that adapt to busy family routines, not rigid school-like timetables.
Demonstrable Value
Families view tutoring as an investment, seeking clear progress metrics to justify costs.
Accessibility Demands:
Remote learning isn’t just preferred—it’s essential. Users expect seamless digital experiences comparable to in-person engagement.
Impact on Design
These findings directly shaped the solution’s:
Adaptive scheduling tools (a simplified booking system)
Platform-agnostic access (mobile-first design, low-bandwidth compatibility)
The pandemic didn’t just reveal these needs—it made addressing them non-negotiable for modern language education.
Initial Design Concepts
Initial Design Concepts
The responsive platform was designed for full functionality across devices, but early testing exposed friction points that led to key optimizations:
Streamlined Onboarding
An initially cumbersome registration form was replaced with an efficient query system embedded in the contact form. This triggered personalized follow-ups from representatives, reducing abandonment rates while maintaining lead capture.
Reduced Complexity
User accounts were eliminated after research showed they added unnecessary overhead for this service model. The sitemap was refined to focus on core actions (class discovery, contact, resources).
These changes reflected a crucial insight: for supplemental education services, lightweight interaction beats exhaustive onboarding. The final structure met users where they were—whether researching on mobile or inquiring via desktop.
Wireframes
Wireframes
Transitioning from paper sketches to digital wireframes allowed us to visualize solutions for critical user frustrations—particularly the cumbersome course registration process. This phase focused on:
Strategic UI Placement:
Positioning high-priority buttons and CTAs where cognitive load is lowest (e.g., persistent "Contact for Enrollment" action bar)
Progressive Disclosure
Revealing supplemental services like Learning Resources after core needs (class discovery) were addressed
The digital prototyping process uncovered unexpected opportunities—notably, that users sought self-serve resources alongside tutoring. This insight directly informed the addition of a "Learning Hub" section to support independent study between sessions.
Key Impact
By testing wireflows early, we:
✔ Reduced registration friction
✔ Surfaced latent demand for ancillary tools
✔ Established visual hierarchy before visual design began
Prototype
Prototype
I developed the high-fidelity prototype using Google Sites—a responsive, grid-based WYSIWYG editor—to validate core functionality before finalizing visual design. This stage focused on refining:
User flows & interactions
CTA & button placement
Responsive behavior of UI elements
The prototype served as a functional blueprint, allowing me to test navigation and usability prior to creating polished mockups for development. By observing how elements adapted across devices, I could optimize layout and interaction patterns early in the process.
This approach ensured the foundation was solid before investing in aesthetic refinement during the mockup phase.
User Test Results
User Test Results
We conducted two rounds of usability studies to refine the design. The first study informed the transition from wireframes to mockups, while the second—conducted with a high-fidelity prototype—identified key areas for refinement.
Research Findings 1:
Trust Building: Users requested a reviews/testimonials section to assess service quality before committing.
Self-Learning Demand: Participants wanted supplemental online resources for independent study.
Research Findings 2:
Streamlined Registration: The sign-up process was initially confusing; simplifying it improved completion rates.
Login Overhead: Without payment processing, users found account creation unnecessary for core functionality.
These insights directly shaped the final design, ensuring a more intuitive and user-centered experience.
Conclusion
Conclusion
This project reinforced that simplicity drives adoption—extra features often complicate rather than enhance. Through usability testing and peer reviews, we evolved the design toward intuitive interactions, which boosted both task success and engagement. The website creates a confident first impression paired with effortless navigation.
The final product balances professionalism with approachability:
Trust Through Clarity (Users immediately recognize service quality)
Efficiency Over Excess (Every element serves a purpose)
A quote from user feedback:
“All information is one click away—no hunting, no frustration.”
Google Sites
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