Two smartphones displaying educational apps, one shows a cartoon dog with the word 'aub' and the other shows the word 'ZOO!' with the tagline 'Learn with fun shapes!'.

Zoosi

Zoosi is an educational app that helps users learn animal names through interactive, game-based learning and vibrant geometric artwork. It features multiple play modes, supports several languages, and includes accessibility options to make learning inclusive and engaging for all ages.

The Story

Zoosi began as a personal project when designer Tou Yia searched for an educational, Hmong-inspired gift for his nieces and nephews. Unable to find anything that met his standards for both cultural relevance and visual appeal, he decided to create his own.

The result was a beautifully designed set of flashcards teaching animal names in Hmong, his native language. Recognizing its potential, Tou Yia collaborated with a team to transform the flashcards into a fully functional app.

Tablet displaying an educational flashcard with a colorful geometric illustration of a tiger and the words "tsov txaj" in the center. Surrounding the tablet are small containers of paint in red, yellow, green, and blue, a yellow paper pinwheel, and a multicolored paper-mâché horse on a wooden surface.
Two digital tablets on a table displaying a children's educational app called 'ZOOSI' with the tagline 'Learn with fun shapes!' One tablet shows the app's opening screen, and the other displays a gallery of colorful, geometric animal illustrations. There are green succulents near the tablets.

The Challenge

Building on the original Zoosi flashcard app, we explored ways to expand its potential by incorporating insights from the initial design. The goal was to conceptualize a more dynamic learning experience—one that moved beyond simple flashcards to include interactive games and multilingual support. The challenge was to envision how the app could evolve while maintaining its core educational value and artistic appeal.

Two smartphones on a wooden table displaying digital games, with colored markers, a fabric notebook, a colorful fabric elephant, and small white flowers nearby.

The Solution

Through this exploration, we envisioned an evolved version of Zoosi with several key improvements:

  • Expanded Gameplay: Introducing multiple game modes to offer a richer, more engaging learning experience.

  • Multilingual Support: Broadening accessibility by incorporating additional language options.

  • Optimized Performance: Ensuring a seamless experience on both iPad and iPhone devices.

  • Refined Art Direction: Shifting to a flat vector style to enhance in-app animations and overall performance.

This concept study provided valuable insights into how the Zoosi app could grow and better serve its audience, offering a roadmap for future development possibilities.