June 04, 2025
Fotoglot
AI Powered Object Translator
Mobile app that helps you learn languages by translating objects through your phons camera. It craetes personalized flashcards from what you see, so can practice vocabulary anytime, anywhere.
What is the purpose of the app?
The app is the MVP product designed for users to learn new words in a foreign language by using their phone's camera to capture objects in their surroundings. The app is equipped with an AI assistant to help create the own unique flashcards and provide translations for the captured objects.
How is the problem currently being addressed?
How is the problem currently being addressed?
How is the problem currently being addressed?
How are our competitors supporting or hindering travellers’ learning?
How are our competitors supporting or hindering travellers’ learning?
I compared the features, strengths, and weaknesses of 5 mobile apps: Lexilize, AI Identifier, Photo Translator, Flashcard Maker, Vaia . This helped prepare me for the user interviews by giving me a better frame of reference for the types of resources our users currently had available. Also, identifying competitors' common strengths and weaknesses helped me identify elements to mimic or avoid in developing our product.
How are students tackling the demand for foreign language skills ?
How are students tackling the demand for foreign language skills ?
How are students tackling the demand for foreign language skills?
A total of 38 participants were included in user research study. The group represented a diverse cross-section of Fotoglot's target audience, which includes language learners, curious travellers, students, and mobile-savvy users aged between 12 and 60 years.
😩 Pain Points Identified
Difficulty remembering words after using translation apps
Language learning apps often feel too repetitive or disconnected from real life
Lack of practical tools for learning during travel or real-world exposure
Flashcard apps require manual input — time-consuming and boring
💡 Key Motivations for Using the App
“I want to learn vocabulary that’s actually useful to me, not random textbook words.”
“I forget most translations after using Google Translate — flashcards would help.”
“This would be amazing for travel! I’d take photos and learn later.”
“Learning words in context (like from real-life objects I saw) makes it stick.”
🎯 Feature interest
What features are users most curious about based on the research?
100
80
60
40
20
0
91%
84%
78%
72%
65%
51%
Camera-based object translation
Automatic flashcard creation from photos
Practice mode (with flashcards)
Gamification (points, streaks, badges)
Progress tracking / reminders
Offline translation
2025
A total of 38 participants were included in user research study. The group represented a diverse cross-section of Fotoglot's target audience, which includes language learners, curious travellers, students, and mobile-savvy users aged between 12 and 60 years.
😩 Pain Points Identified
Difficulty remembering words after using translation apps
Language learning apps often feel too repetitive or disconnected from real life
Lack of practical tools for learning during travel or real-world exposure
Flashcard apps require manual input — time-consuming and boring
😩 Pain Points Identified
Difficulty remembering words after using translation apps
Language learning apps often feel too repetitive or disconnected from real life
Lack of practical tools for learning during travel or real-world exposure
Flashcard apps require manual input — time-consuming and boring
😩 Pain Points Identified
Difficulty remembering words after using translation apps
Language learning apps often feel too repetitive or disconnected from real life
Lack of practical tools for learning during travel or real-world exposure
Flashcard apps require manual input — time-consuming and boring
💡 Key Motivations for Using the App
“I want to learn vocabulary that’s actually useful to me, not random textbook words.”
“I forget most translations after using Google Translate — flashcards would help.”
“This would be amazing for travel! I’d take photos and learn later.”
“Learning words in context (like from real-life objects I saw) makes it stick.”
💡 Key Motivations for Using the App
“I want to learn vocabulary that’s actually useful to me, not random textbook words.”
“I forget most translations after using Google Translate — flashcards would help.”
“This would be amazing for travel! I’d take photos and learn later.”
“Learning words in context (like from real-life objects I saw) makes it stick.”
💡 Key Motivations for
Using the App
“I want to learn vocabulary that’s actually useful to me, not random textbook words.”
“I forget most translations after using Google Translate — flashcards would help.”
“This would be amazing for travel! I’d take photos and learn later.”
“Learning words in context (like from real-life objects I saw) makes it stick.”
🎯 Feature interest
What features are users most curious about based on the research?
100
80
60
40
20
0
91%
84%
78%
72%
65%
51%
Camera-based object translation
Automatic flashcard creation from photos
Practice mode (with flashcards)
Gamification (points, streaks, badges)
Progress tracking / reminders
Offline translation
2025
Who is our user?
Who is our user?
Based on user research, let’s create a protopersona, journey map, and empathy map to have a clearer understanding of our users’ needs, motivations, and pain points.
Journey Map
Journey Map
Journey Map
Empathy Map
Empathy Map
Empathy Map
Outline the most important features
Outline the most important features
Outline the most important features
Based on research and prioritization, the minimum viable product (MVP) will focus on four core features:
Camera Translation – Instantly translate text through the camera for seamless real-world usability.
Flashcard Creation – Generate personalized vocabulary sets directly from translated content.
Practice Mode – Engage with interactive exercises built around users’ flashcards and recent translations.
Gamification Elements – Motivate and retain users with points, badges, streaks, and challenges.
Information Architecture
Information Architecture
Information Architecture
Low-Fidelity Wireframes
Low-Fidelity Wireframes
After identifying the app’s main features, I began exploring their design and quickly encountered key questions—for example, around scanning and detection. I needed to account for various scenarios, ensuring the camera and app work smoothly even in challenging conditions such as poor lighting, offline use and many more...
How does the system detect multiple objects in one picture?
A single image can contain many objects, which may complicate design. To simplify, we should limit detection to 10 objects. Additionally, multiple-object detection can be a premium feature, allowing users to select objects manually or automatically.
How do we ensure accurate detection and translation of objects?
It's crucial to capture the whole object for precise AI detection. A green frame will indicate correct positioning, while a red frame will show incorrect capturing. For translation accuracy, an evaluation button (like/dislike) will be included. If users click “dislike,” they can specify their concerns.
How user-friendly is the scanning process?
Users are likely familiar with apps like Google Translate for scanning text. Therefore, the scanning process should resemble taking a photo, aligning with their expectations.
How can we develop a premium plan for the scanning feature?
The scanning feature is complex and vital. Since multiple-object translation requires more technical resources, it should be part of a premium plan.
After identifying the app’s main features, I began exploring their design and quickly encountered key questions—for example, around scanning and detection. I needed to account for various scenarios, ensuring the camera and app work smoothly even in challenging conditions such as poor lighting, offline use and many more...
How does the system detect multiple objects in one picture?
A single image can contain many objects, which may complicate design. To simplify, we should limit detection to 10 objects. Additionally, multiple-object detection can be a premium feature, allowing users to select objects manually or automatically.
How do we ensure accurate detection and translation of objects?
It's crucial to capture the whole object for precise AI detection. A green frame will indicate correct positioning, while a red frame will show incorrect capturing. For translation accuracy, an evaluation button (like/dislike) will be included. If users click “dislike,” they can specify their concerns.
How user-friendly is the scanning process?
Users are likely familiar with apps like Google Translate for scanning text. Therefore, the scanning process should resemble taking a photo, aligning with their expectations.
How can we develop a premium plan for the scanning feature?
The scanning feature is complex and vital. Since multiple-object translation requires more technical resources, it should be part of a premium plan.
How does the system detect multiple objects in one picture?
A single image can contain many objects, which may complicate design. To simplify, we should limit detection to 10 objects. Additionally, multiple-object detection can be a premium feature, allowing users to select objects manually or automatically.
How do we ensure accurate detection and translation of objects?
It's crucial to capture the whole object for precise AI detection. A green frame will indicate correct positioning, while a red frame will show incorrect capturing. For translation accuracy, an evaluation button (like/dislike) will be included. If users click “dislike,” they can specify their concerns.
How user-friendly is the scanning process?
Users are likely familiar with apps like Google Translate for scanning text. Therefore, the scanning process should resemble taking a photo, aligning with their expectations.
How can we develop a premium plan for the scanning feature?
The scanning feature is complex and vital. Since multiple-object translation requires more technical resources, it should be part of a premium plan.
After identifying the app’s main features, I began exploring their design and quickly encountered key questions—for example, around scanning and detection. I needed to account for various scenarios, ensuring the camera and app work smoothly even in challenging conditions such as poor lighting, offline use and many more...
How does the system detect multiple objects in one picture?
A single image can contain many objects, which may complicate design. To simplify, we should limit detection to 10 objects. Additionally, multiple-object detection can be a premium feature, allowing users to select objects manually or automatically.
How do we ensure accurate detection and translation of objects?
It's crucial to capture the whole object for precise AI detection. A green frame will indicate correct positioning, while a red frame will show incorrect capturing. For translation accuracy, an evaluation button (like/dislike) will be included. If users click “dislike,” they can specify their concerns.
How user-friendly is the scanning process?
Users are likely familiar with apps like Google Translate for scanning text. Therefore, the scanning process should resemble taking a photo, aligning with their expectations.
How can we develop a premium plan for the scanning feature?
The scanning feature is complex and vital. Since multiple-object translation requires more technical resources, it should be part of a premium plan.
High-Fidelity Mockups
High-Fidelity Mockups
Onboarding Flow
Onboarding Flow
Home
Home
Scanning & Object Detection
9:30
Polish
English
Instant Object Detection & Translation
Effortlessly translate all captured objects in a frame with just a tap!
Upgrade Your Plan
9:30
Polish
English
Instant Object Detection & Translation
Effortlessly translate all captured objects in a frame with just a tap!
Upgrade Your Plan
Polish
English
Focused Translation
Want to translate only specific objects?
No problem! Simply tap on the object, and get a precise translation instantly.
Upgrade Your Plan
Polish
English
Focused Translation
Want to translate only specific objects?
No problem! Simply tap on the object, and get a precise translation instantly.
Upgrade Your Plan
9:30
Polish
English
Draw
9:30
Polish
English
Draw
9:30
Polish
English
Clear
Done
9:30
Polish
English
Clear
Done
9:30
Polish
English
Add
Translate
9:30
Polish
English
Add
Translate
9:30
Polish
English
9:30
Polish
English
9:30
Polish
English
Headphones
9:30
Polish
English
Headphones
9:30
Polish
English
Headphones
Polish
Słuchawki
Examples
English
Headphones
Premium
Select all picture
Add the Flashcard
I say and pick his headphones up and hand them to him.
After completing this task, they put on the headphones.
9:30
Polish
English
Headphones
Polish
Słuchawki
Examples
English
Headphones
Premium
Select all picture
Add the Flashcard
I say and pick his headphones up and hand them to him.
After completing this task, they put on the headphones.
Premium Plan:
Premium Plan:
Translate multiple objects in a single shot, or
Select specific object(s) within a picture to translate.
Translate multiple objects in a single shot, or
Select specific object(s) within a picture to translate.
Free Plan:
Free Plan:
Users can translate only one object by placing it within the frame.
Users can translate only one object by placing it within the frame.
9:30
Place the object within the frame to translate it.
Polish
English
9:30
Place the object within the frame to translate it.
Polish
English
Flashcards
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