Tiny Tales

This project was completed in just five days using a modified Google Ventures Design Sprint. I explored the user problem through Lean UX practices—research, mapping, sketching, testing, and prototyping—to design a bedtime-friendly reading experience for kids and their grownups.

👉 Check out the case study below or try the prototype.

Year
2024

Project Type
Solo Project, Lean UX

Duration
5 Day Sprint

Role
UX Research, Design, Prototyping, User Testing

Project Overview

I designed TinyTales in just five days to address a key user frustration: how hard it is to choose the right story at bedtime. Using a sprint structure, I built and tested a prototype focused on clarity, speed, and calm interaction for both kids and their grownups.

The Problem

Parents and caregivers reported:

  • Struggling to filter books by age, topic, or length

  • Wasting precious bedtime minutes scrolling through options

  • A desire for kid-friendly tools that help guide storytime choices without overstimulating

“I just want something quick and easy to find age-appropriate books.”
 — TinyTales user interview

The Solution

I designed a tablet-based prototype featuring:

  • A smart search bar

  • Filters for age, reading time, and category

  • Personalized home screen with each child’s reading preferences

  • Book preview cards with length, age range, themes, and a one-tap read button

Sprint Overview

I designed a tablet-based prototype featuring:

  • A smart search bar

  • Filters for age, reading time, and category

  • Personalized home screen with each child’s reading preferences

  • Book preview cards with length, age range, themes, and a one-tap read button

Final Designs

Horizontal scroll for easy book browsing

  1. Clear icon labels for reading time, age, and topics

  2. “Let’s Read!” CTA encourages a smooth story start

  3. Visual hierarchy designed for shared use between parent and child

Prototype

This high-fidelity Figma prototype brings TinyTales to life—from personalized onboarding to story previews and bedtime-friendly browsing. It’s designed to be gentle, intuitive, and collaborative, helping families choose the perfect story with less stress and more magic.
👉 Explore the prototype below to see how the full experience flows across key screens.

Reflection

This project gave me the chance to practice thinking clearly under constraint—working within a five-day sprint helped me focus on user needs without overcomplicating the solution. I was reminded how much structure matters when users are tired, busy, or multitasking (which is most parents at bedtime).

I also gained confidence in my ability to move from research to high-fidelity design quickly, while still staying playful and intentional with UI. Designing for both adults and children pushed me to be more mindful of tone, accessibility, and shared decision-making moments.

If I were to continue developing TinyTales, I’d want to:

  • Clarify button labeling and behavior (e.g., Library vs. Queue)

  • Add user reviews or content previews to help parents feel more informed

  • Explore a light/dark mode for evening use

  • Build a fuller component system for scalability and consistency

  • Consider local library integration for real-world relevance