manalsohail.com

Challenge
Word games and digital innovation around language learning has been restricted to a number of traditional formats. Many popular word games are only accessible online in English, which restricts cultural exchange and improvement of gameplay. There hasn't been a fun technique to develop a modern, global dictionary where users can vote for words that are commonly used but not accessible in mainstream dictionaries.

UX / Prototype / Wireframing

Pollywords

UX / Gamification / 3D / Concept Development

Date

2017

Role

Intern - UX, Prototyping, Wireframing

Agency

Afiniti

Deliverables

UX, Wireframing, Prototype, Web Design, User Interface, User Research

Solution
The first bilingual word game that allowed players to use multiple languages on the same board was Pollywords. The multiplayer innovation, which was created as an iOS game, was a smashing success, drawing tens of thousands of people to compete online. Available in over 10 languages, it also introduced the use of Franko-Arabic and Romanized Urdu in a word game for the first time. To accurately capture word pronunciation, the game also made use of user-generated content (UGC). My primary responsibility involved developing a range of initial brainstorming, design iterations, visual style concepts and wireframe sketches for the application.

Process

Solution
This game design was developed to bring interactive and engaging elements to Afiniti’s website by incorporating game mechanics and behavioral design techniques in a non-gaming environment. My tasks involved designing gamified elements that involved leveraging AI-driven pattern recognition to predict user's next moves, creating 3D assets for the game, developing an illustrated low-fidelity prototype, and presenting the concept to higher-ups of the marketing team.

Process

Outcome
After undergoing rigorous testing phase, the game was showcased at TechCrunch conferences worldwide and has since been deployed in several educational institutions across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. The game has been played in hundreds of schools across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. It ranked among the top 50 games in Asia and was featured by media outlets like the Huffington Post and Wamda. Additionally, it was showcased at TechCrunch conferences worldwide.

Manal Sohail 2025 | Designer | sohail.m@northeastern.edu

Manal Sohail 2025 | Designer

sohail.m@northeastern.edu