1. Project Overview

• Project Type: Student App Redesign

• Role: UI/UX Designer

• Tools: Figma

• Task: UI Modernization + Gamification System

Jain Pathshala is a student-focused learning app used by Pathshalas to conduct tests, events, and Jainism-related educational activities. While the app was functional, it lacked engagement, emotional connection, and motivational elements for students.

This redesign focused on improving usability, visual hierarchy, and introducing a culturally aligned gamification system to increase student participation and consistency.

2. The Problems (Old Version)

The existing app had core functionality but faced the following challenges:

• Outdated and static visual design

• Limited engagement for students

• No visible progress tracking

• Weak emotional connection to learning

• Lack of motivational triggers

• No structured gamification system

Students were completing tasks, but there was no rewarding journey or sense of progression.

3. Design Goals

• Increase student engagement with tests and activities

• Make progress visible and motivating

• Create an emotionally meaningful learning journey

• Modernize the UI for better clarity and usability

• Introduce a structured reward-based progression system
  
  

4. Concept: Learning as a Spiritual Journey

To make the experience more meaningful and connected to Jain culture, I designed the progress system around the idea of climbing the temple steps at Palitana.

The concept is simple — as students complete tests and activities, they move up levels. Visually, this looks like climbing a mountain path toward the temples.

Instead of just checking off tasks, students feel like they are moving forward on a journey.

5. Gamification Strategy

5.1 XP & Level System

Students earn XP by:

• Completing tests

• Participating in events

• Playing educational games

• Finishing study modules

XP contributes to:

• Level progression

• Unlockable milestones

• Visual advancement on the mountain path
  
  

5.2 Visual Progression Map

The progression system features:

• Vertical upward scrolling map (game-style progression)

• Mountain background

• AI-generated temple and stupa illustrations

• Visual milestones as students move upward

• Increasing environmental richness at higher levels

This creates anticipation and long-term motivation.

6. UI Overhaul

The redesign introduced:

• Cleaner visual hierarchy

• Improved typography scale

• Better spacing and layout consistency

• Modern color system

• Clearer call-to-action buttons

• Student-focused dashboard

The new interface reduces cognitive load and improves navigation clarity.

7. Design Exploration (Two Variants)

To explore different visual directions, I created two complete UI variants.

8. UX Improvements

Before
- Static dashboard
- No visible learning journey
- Functional but not engaging

After
- Personalized dashboard with progress visibility
- Clear next-action prompts
- Reward-based system encouraging consistency
- Emotional storytelling through progression

9. Ethical Considerations

Gamification was designed carefully to avoid unhealthy competition.

- Leader boards emphasize improvement and participation
- Focus on personal growth rather than only top ranks
- Rewards support learning consistency, not just performance

The system encourages motivation without pressure.

10. Expected Impact

- Increased student engagement
- Higher participation in tests and activities
- Stronger emotional connection to learning
- Improved retention and consistency
- More enjoyable educational experience

11. Key Learnings

- Cultural storytelling strengthens product engagement
- Gamification must align with purpose, not overpower it
- Visual progression significantly improves motivation
- Exploration of multiple design directions improves final outcomes

Final Reflection

This project demonstrates how behavioural UX principles, cultural storytelling, and structured gamification can transform a functional learning app into an engaging student experience.

The redesign moves beyond aesthetics and focuses on motivation, emotional connection, and long-term engagement.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.abs.pathshala