What Word — Dictionary App Visual Design That Improves Engagement
South Africa (remote delivery from Soweto) · Services: UI/UX & Web Design · Digital Artwork
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The challenge
What Word needed a visual layer that matched the utility of a dictionary app — clear hierarchy for definitions, minimal chrome, and a palette that works for long reading sessions on mobile without fatigue.
Objectives
What success looked like
- 01Improve visual appeal without adding cognitive load to search and reading flows
- 02Design for engagement — longer session length inside the app
- 03Keep the system minimal so future screens can be added without redesign
Approach
We treated the app as a reading tool first. Type scale, card spacing, and colour contrast were tuned for definition scanning. Illustrative and UI elements were kept minimal so the content — not the interface — holds attention. The work was delivered as screen designs the development team could implement directly.
Delivered
Work delivered
- App visual language — type, colour, and card system
- Key screens adapted for dictionary search and definition display
- Asset guidance for future feature screens
Outcome
The client reports significantly improved engagement with a minimal, modern web-app feel. Quote: “Working with 44tag studios was a game-changer for What Word. Their design skills brought my dictionary app to life in a way I never thought possible. The visual appeal and user experience they created have significantly improved my app's engagement. Very minimal and effective for a modern day web app” — What Word. No invented usage metrics are claimed beyond the client's own words.
“Working with 44tag studios was a game-changer for What Word. Their design skills brought my dictionary app to life in a way I never thought possible. The visual appeal and user experience they created have significantly improved my app's engagement. Very minimal and effective for a modern day web app”— What Word