Calculia neurotest redesign
Calculia is a tool created by specialists from various fields to assess basic math skills. It helps accurately measure numerical understanding and the development of math abilities.
For what:
Neurodio & NCU
Role:
Product Designer
Year:
2023/4
Intro
Calculia is a diagnostic tool designed to identify dyscalculia in children. While effective, its outdated interface and limited functionality held it back from reaching its full potential.
My goal
Modernize Calculia with a user-centered redesign that enhances usability, streamlines processes, and introduces a scalable subscription model.
Understanding the problem
Understanding the starting point
When I first encountered Calculia, it was clear that the tool, while valuable in diagnosing dyscalculia, was being held back by several usability and functional limitations. To address these issues, I started with a comprehensive analysis to identify the most pressing pain points and understand how the application could better serve its users.
Exploring the current version
Through my analysis of the tool, I pinpointed several critical problems that needed to be addressed. I had full access to the existing software and its user manual, which allowed me to thoroughly test the program and understand how it functioned.
Challenges
During my analysis, I identified several issues that made Calculia harder to use and less effective
Gathering feedback
While I didn't have direct access to user feedback, the team involved in the project had a strong connection with therapists and educators who used the tool. I relied on their insights and learned that Calculia ( previous "ProKalkulia 6-9") was already used by over 100 institutions in Poland, but the outdated interface and lack of automation posed significant challenges.
Setting up an organizational space
I created a @Notion workspace to document all insights, structure team meetings, and keep track of progress. This provided a clear space for collaboration and alignment on priorities.
Kickoff insights
During the kickoff phase, we aligned on key project goals, identified risks, and established a clear roadmap. Below is a summary of the structured planning process we followed to ensure smooth progress and clarity across the team.
Creating a budget plan
To ensure the success of Calculia’s redesign, I developed a structured budget plan that prioritized resource allocation across key areas: design, development, and research. This plan not only optimized costs but also ensured the team could meet critical project milestones effectively.
Below is a high-level visualization of the budget plan, demonstrating the focus on scaling and MVP delivery (with specific values redacted for confidentiality):
Research and discovery
Research: laying the foundation
To fully understand the challenges and opportunities within Calculia, I started with an in-depth exploration of the tool and its context.
Understanding the tool
I reviewed the existing software and its comprehensive user manual. This allowed me to grasp the technical details and user flow, as well as identify pain points in usability and functionality.
Market Analysis
I conducted a competitive analysis, comparing Calculia to similar diagnostic tools. While many competitors offered solutions, most were outdated or lacked the ease of use necessary for educators and therapists. This highlighted an opportunity to modernize Calculia and position it as a leader in the market.
Key Insights
💪🏻 Strengths: Calculia’s speed and accuracy in diagnosing dyscalculia.
🤕 Weaknesses: An outdated interface and limited scalability, along with inefficient workflows.
🌟 Opportunities: Introducing a SaaS model to improve accessibility and automate processes.
Documentation and collaboration
Using Notion, I organized research findings, created a centralized space for team collaboration, and aligned project goals with user needs and business objectives.
Ideation
Brainstorming
I began the ideation phase with a free-form brainstorming session, encouraging the team to think creatively and propose any ideas that could enhance the tool. This approach helped us uncover a wide range of possibilities, from core functionality improvements to innovative solutions for usability challenges
To make sense of the collected ideas, I structured them into functional categories, such as navigation, user interaction, and subscription process. This step allowed us to identify key areas for improvement without overcomplicating the process
We prioritized features based on their impact and feasibility, focusing on solving the tool’s biggest usability problems. This included simplifying workflows, improving data clarity, and implementing customizable features for different user needs.
This process provided a clear direction for the next phase, with actionable ideas for prototyping and a strong foundation for user-centered improvements
Prototyping
Path the usability
Building on the insights gathered during research and brainstorming, I outlined the user flow and defined key functionalities to address the tool’s main challenges. Collaboration with a graphic designer ensured the final design was both intuitive and visually appealing, balancing professionalism with child-friendly elements.
This streamlined approach focused on usability and efficiency, delivering a design ready for implementation without unnecessary complexity.
Flowcharts
I highlighted two flowcharts that have significantly changed in the new version of the app.
Streamlined registration and purchase flow
The new workflow automates the process of license delivery, removing manual steps. Users now receive immediate access after completing registration and payment, enhancing both usability and efficiency.
Simplified test data input process
By reducing unnecessary steps and focusing on essential data, the revamped workflow ensures a smoother experience for users while maintaining accuracy in test records.
Iterative process: Two major prototyping rounds
The prototyping phase consisted of at least two key iterations:
💬 Initial feedback
• After sketching the wireframes, I reviewed them with team to confirm that the structure and flow aligned with their expectations.
• Small adjustments were made based on feedback, particularly around the sequencing of steps in the testing process.
🎨 Visual refinement
• After locking the functionality and flow, I collaborated with a ui designer to establish the visual style of the tool.
• We discussed color palettes and overall aesthetics to ensure the interface was clean, professional, yet approachable for an educational context.
• Once the visuals were approved, I moved on to high-fidelity prototypes in Figma to finalize the design.
Design Principles: clean and user-centric
My key design goals included:
• Clarity and simplicity: Since this tool is used by both children and therapists, the interface had to be intuitive and distraction-free.
• Educational aesthetics: The design needed to balance a professional look with subtle educational and playful elements that would make it approachable for children.
• Consistency: Ensuring all elements followed a cohesive visual language to create a seamless experience.
Challenges and adaptations
While most design decisions were straightforward, the biggest challenge was defining a visual tone that balanced professionalism for therapists with an engaging experience for children. Through iterative prototyping, I explored different visual approaches and collaborated with the ui designer to refine the concept.
Since the focus was on prototyping and refining functionality, rather than building a full design system, we prioritized clear layouts and user-friendly interactions. The final design aimed to be intuitive, accessible, and aligned with the tool’s educational purpose.
What we achieved
The redesign of Calculia addressed its most critical limitations: outdated visuals, an inefficient subscription model, and a lack of automation. By creating a cleaner, modernized interface and defining a scalable business model, we’ve transformed a niche educational tool into a product with the potential to scale internationally.
Key achievements include
• Transitioning from a lifetime subscription model to a scalable solution, paving the way for SaaS implementation.
• Simplifying the user flow for both therapists and children to reduce cognitive load during testing.
• Laying the groundwork for improved marketability and accessibility.
Business value
The new iteration of Calculia opens doors to untapped markets while enhancing its usability for existing users.
Business potential and future opportunities
Throughout the redesign process of Calculia, the goal was not only to enhance the user experience but also to explore viable business models for scaling the tool. The primary objective was to transform ProKalkulia 6-9 into a product that could be marketed internationally, leveraging a SaaS-based approach to drive adoption and streamline access.
As part of our strategy, we identified three main cooperation models:
Additionally, we pitched an investment proposal focusing on:
• Platform development and scaling to meet international standards.
• Creating a sales and marketing department for strategic outreach.
• Developing an AI-powered assistant for therapists to enhance diagnostic precision.
This pitch deck enabled us to position Calculia as a promising tool for early dyscalculia detection, combining a strong technical foundation with a scalable business model.
Lessons learned
This project taught me the importance of balancing functionality with market needs. While improving the tool’s usability was my main focus, I also gained valuable insight into:
Collaboration: Aligning technical, scientific, and design perspectives to create a unified product.
Design for scalability: Incorporating flexibility into the subscription model to future-proof the tool.
Business-Driven design: How UX decisions impact marketability and adoption.
