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Master English

Brand establishment
Smartphone displaying Master English app with practice tasks in Spanish, leaning against a reflective metallic ring.
time
2020-2021
Team Size
3
Company
WordDive/Master English
Project area
Visual Design, Branding, UI/UX Design
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Validating brand direction through multi-variant A/B testing and market research.

The beginning

When I joined WordDive, they were preparing to launch a new product, which later became Master English. One of my first tasks was collaborating with the Lead Visual Designer to create the new brand.The project involved creating Master English, a new language-learning app and brand developed by WordDive. Using unique AI technology, the app delivers a personalized English study program tailored to each user’s pace, needs, and skill level. I collaborated closely with the Lead Designer and CMO to shape the visual language of Master English.

Role

UI/UX design, Visual Design, Branding, Prototyping, User flows

Tools

Photoshop, Adobe Xd, Illustrator, After Effect

Shaping the brand

We launched the project with thorough market research and crafted the brand identity using the brand archetype method, validated through ad banner tests across target countries.
After analyzing the insights and conducting multiple rounds of testing, we strategically narrowed our focus to Central and South American markets, with a particular emphasis on Mexico, to maximize impact and relevance.

Interesting findings

Users feel language apps lack proficiency and business-ready English, while private lessons are seen as effective but difficult to commit to due to scheduling challenges and high costs.

Most language apps focus on beginner and intermediate levels, with few supporting advanced English learning.

Many in Central and South America want to work in the USA to advance careers, but face language barriers.

Brand direction
Target career-focused users

Focus on individuals seeking English proficiency for career advancement, particularly in Central and South America, aiming for opportunities in the USA.

Clear, results-driven tone

Differentiate the app with a serious, motivational approach that resonates with users’ professional goals and learning ambitions. We emphasized the real challenges of learning a language through ad campaigns and branding, reinforcing a tone of commitment and authenticity.

Defining the Brand’s Visual Language

At the same time as conducting market research, we began defining our brand’s visual language. 
We started by creating style scapes to narrow down the visual direction and ran internal surveys to see which concepts resonated most.

A style scape is a visual tool used to explore and define the aesthetic direction of a brand. It combines various elements such as colors, typography, imagery, and textures to create a cohesive visual narrative.

These surveys also included voting on potential brand names.

Examples of the style scape used to define the brand's visual language.
Creative style scape showcasing Kaiku branding with logo, color samples, icons, user interface designs, and office interior photos featuring yellow accents.
Creative style scape showcasing Vivo branding with  logo, typography, color palette, icons, and app interface mockups with people socializing and the slogan 'Learn to speak languages like you breathe.'

Utilizing A/B tests

After narrowing the visual feel to four different designs, we conducted a multi-variant A/B testing (ads → App Store) across different countries to see which brand identity performed best in converting interest (install intent).

Example of the ad test and App Store test variant flow A
Advertisement banner with two people sitting on a bench, a woman in a striped off-shoulder top smiling at a man in a pink hoodie who has his eyes closed. The Text says "Speak English as well as German" in German.
Mobile phone screen showing an English language learning app with a fill-in-the-blank question: 'Why ____ you ____ me a screenshot?' and a German translation below; answer options 'did' and 'didn't'.
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Smartphone screen showing a beginner English learning app in German with 10% progress and option to change learning goals.
Language learning app screen showing a fill-in-the-blank exercise asking 'Why ___ you ___ me a screenshot?' with translation in German and answer options 'did' and 'didn't'.
Example of the ad test and App Store test variant flow B
Advertisement banner with a smiling young woman wearing a hat and white t-shirt carrying a shopping bag and sunglasses on a sunny street. The Text says "Speak English as well as German" in German.
Mobile screen showing an English learning app asking to complete the sentence 'Why ___ you me a screenshot?' with answer options 'Did' and 'Didn't', alongside the German translation 'Warum hast du mir keinen Screenshot geschickt?' and a progress bar.
The banner text says "Speak English as well as German" in German.
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Smartphone screen showing a language learning app with a chat conversation in English and German about ordering coffee, including phrases and translation options like NO, YES, THANK YOU, PLEASE.
Mobile phone screen showing a language learning app with a woman holding a child pointing at colorful hot air balloons, and word options 'BECAUSE', 'THAT', and 'EIGHT' below the word 'Dies'.

The idea was to test multiple ad types, one featuring a learning screen and another using lifestyle imagery, each adapted to the different brand variants we wanted to evaluate. Clicking an ad directed users to a corresponding mock App Store page, where we measured not only ad CTR but also which brand direction drove the strongest conversion intent. This allowed us to see which creative and brand identity resonated most in each region.

Bringing the Logo to Life

Establishing Brand Keywords

With insights from A/B testing and market research, we moved on to logo and visual design development. We defined three brand keywords: Empowering, Professional, and Trustworthy.

Logo Concept

We kicked off the logo design process by sketching ideas on paper and exchanging feedback with the lead visual designer. 
Through rounds of brainstorming and iteration, we developed a concept that symbolized the non-linear journey of language learning (a curving path), exploration (a flag), and new beginnings (opening curtains).

To make the logo bold and adaptable, we distilled these ideas into a clean, geometric form with a strong silhouette and distinctive color.

The logo mark concept
Image of a curvy paths

Curvy path

Plus
Image of a national flag

Shape of a flag

Plus
Image of stage curtains

Stage curtains

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Master English Logo Mark

Graphic logo

Brand Visual Style

After multiple iterations and testing, we landed on a clean, minimal visual style.With the app relying heavily on images as study materials, a simple UI was essential, allowing the content to take center stage and creating a more focused, immersive learning experience.

Master English app dashboard screen greeting user Jorge with a smiling man’s photo, showing English practice day 30 tasks with one active lesson titled 'Vocabulario de la ropa' and options to read now, while other lessons are locked.
MacBook Pro displaying Master English website with a smiling woman reaching out, alongside text about learning English fluently.
User interface sample showing color swatches with hex codes, button styles labeled Primary and Secondary, and circular icon buttons for media controls and navigation.

Curating Consistency

Marketing & Brand Guidelines

After creating the brand visuals, my responsibilities shifted to UI design for the app, designing new components for the design system, producing marketing materials, and selecting imagery for both promotional and learning content.

To maintain a consistent brand identity, I developed an internal style guide that defined the visual direction and ensured all imagery aligned with the brand’s tone and feel.

Today, the Master English app boasts a 4.9-star rating (24.8k reviews) on the App Store and a 4.8-star rating (22k reviews) on Google Play.

Examples of images used within the app
Multiple smartphones displaying nature images including canyon, valley, pine forest, and birch trees with corresponding vocabulary learning screens.
Example of image guidelines
Collage of lifestyle images including people waving, studying, running, coffee pouring, and food preparation surrounding a text panel reading ‘Study image style guide for internal use only’

Designing Across Two Brands

Two distinct brand identities

After finalizing the brand visuals for Master English, I worked on UI design and marketing materials for both Master English and WordDive. These two products had very different brand identities, one minimal and professional, the other more playful and colorful. Managing both allowed me to adapt quickly between styles while maintaining consistency within each brand.

WordDive logo
Two phone screens showing the WordDive language learning app with lesson menu and a vocabulary quiz for the word 'portfolio' with four Spanish answer options.

The WordDive app features a vibrant and playful brand aesthetic, with a UI that incorporates cartoonish elements and advertisements featuring a mascot named Mikko.

Master English logo with stylized red path mark symbol to the left of the text.
Two smartphones displaying the Master English English learning app; left phone shows a transaction scene with vocabulary choices for 'gracias,' right phone welcomes Jorge with a practice day menu.

Master English features a sleek and professional UI. It incorporates high-quality images for a premium experience, showcasing visuals of diverse individuals.

Let’s work together

I specialize in digital product design, user interface and user experience, and collaborative product development for SaaS and B2C digital products. I believe design is about weaving human kindness into products and creating experiences that are intuitive, accessible, and meaningful.

Outside of work, I enjoy drawing, video games, tabletop RPGs, observing the cryptic behavior of my cats, and sculpting strange little monsters.

If you think I would be a good fit for your organization or have a project you’d like to collaborate on, please don’t hesitate to contact me!