lexilight
An app designed to enhance communication, vocabulary, and awareness of key social terms, featuring a modern, approachable interface that engages users by highlighting curated daily words with clear, layered definitions
Overview
This project focused on designing lexilight, a word-of-the-day (WoTD) app to improve communication, vocabulary, and awareness around key social terms for users aged roughly 13–50. Over six weeks, I used Figma and Adobe Illustrator to create a modern, approachable interface that highlights curated daily words, clear, layered definitions, and an inviting user journey centered on reflection and real-world relevance.
My Role:
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Lead UX/UI Designer
Time:
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Six Weeks
Tools Used:
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Adobe Illustrator
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Figma
Deliverables:
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Figma Prototype
The Challenge
Many people—especially ages 13–50—encounter terms like “sustainability,” “equity,” or “intersectionality” without fully understanding their context or implications. The challenge was to design a tool that not only introduced these words but clarified their real-world relevance, reducing misuse and fostering more informed conversations around social issues.
Research
My user research focused on understanding how different age groups engage with vocabulary apps and social terminology. Methods included:
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Informal interviews between peers / students
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Analysis of three existing WoTD platforms and their limitations in ethical/social contexts
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Review of common misuses of key terms in media, education, and advocacy spaces This helped identify a need for clarity, emotional resonance, and digestible formats that go beyond dictionary definitions.
Ideas
Design exploration included:
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Sketches for the logo and overall layout.
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Wireframes for daily word cards with layered definitions (basic, contextual, examples)
A tone that balanced the idea of “walking through daily life”, clarity, and urgency—avoiding preachiness while staying principled.
Prototype
Delivered a Figma prototype that included:
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Daily word interface with expandable layers: definition, real-world example, importance, and origin
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A lightweight design system with accessible typography and color contrast
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Sample screens for user engagement features like saved words, past days, and bookmarked terms
Outcome & Reflection
lexilight’s prototype clarified how a WoTD app could evolve into a tool for ethical literacy, showing that vocabulary learning can support more informed, socially aware conversations rather than just passive word memorization. Early feedback suggested users felt more comfortable with a modern, aesthetically pleasing layout that still foregrounded education, reinforcing the insight that users crave both clarity and emotional relevance; definitions alone are not enough, and serious terminology can coexist with playful, engaging visuals.
In the future, incorporating more dynamic features, such as animation, could further enhance engagement and make the experience of learning complex terms feel even more intuitive and memorable.
Check out my other projects
Roadto100Countries
Seijaku (静寂)
TeaMuse
MD | Mekiayla Dunston
Come with me on a journey of creativity where art, design, and photography come together to tell captivating stories. Explore narratives that go beyond time, creating imaginative tales that really connect with us.