PISTACHO
Interactive System | UX/UI – Dev Project
Overview
Pistacho is an interactive system that helps blind children in early grades develop phonological awareness—a key skill for learning to read and write by identifying and breaking down the sounds in words. Since blind children lack visual input, alternative strategies are needed to support this learning process.
Aim
Implement an interactive system that serves as a teaching tool to support blind children aged 5 to 7 in developing phonological awareness of Spanish vowels.
Solution
The solution includes two components: a digital application for managing activities, registering users, and tracking each child’s progress, and a hardware element—a token-eating monster—that enables playful interaction in the classroom.
Methodology
Usability and Accessibility Engineering Process Model (MPlu+a)
Team
UX/UI Designers | Devs (x2)
System Actors
The system actors were defined through context observation and analysis, identifying all individuals directly or indirectly involved in the use and operation of the interactive system. Two main actors were defined for the project: teachers (including speech therapists and teachers) and students.
Students
Robert is 7 years old and lives in Cali with her parents, he is blind and studies at the institute for blind children in his city.
Goals
– He wants to be a doctor when he grows up.
– He wants to read stories to his brothers.
Frustrations
– Not being able to read books at home.
– Not being able to play in the park with their neighbors.
Teachers
Carolina is a kindergarten grade teacher at the institute for blind and deaf children in the city of Cali.
Goals
– She wants her students to get into reading.
– She wants blind children to have more opportunities in society.
Frustrations
– That schools are not qualified to educate blind children.
– Technology is not always making life easier for blind people.
Site Map
The site map presents the structure of the application, organizing screens and navigation paths to ensure a clear and intuitive user experience for both teachers and students.
Hardware system prototype
The hardware component, Pistacho, was designed considering the children’s height, physical abilities, and sensory needs. It features a plush texture, open mouth, and audio feedback to create a multi-sensory experience.
Pieces
Five textured geometric pieces represented the vowels, featuring Braille and print letters to support children with low vision. They are the primary means of interacting with the hardware system.
Bracelets
Each child wears a bracelet with an RFID tag that links their interactions with Pistacho to their personal profile, allowing the system to record and store individual responses.
Bracelets
Each child wears a bracelet with an RFID tag that links their interactions with Pistacho to their personal profile, allowing the system to record and store individual responses.
Software
The software design process involved selecting prototyping tools and refining the interface layout. A high-fidelity prototype was developed using Adobe XD, allowing for a detailed visualization of colors, fonts, and icons that would shape the final application.
Thanks you so much!
