Reada
Reada is an AI-powered reading platform that allows users to personalize their reading space based on their habits, goals, and interests. It is designed to engage users and support in building reading habits in today’s fast-paced world by empowering individuals to shape their own unique journey.
Tools:
Figma, v0 Ai,
Adobe Illustrator, InDesign,
Adobe Photoshop
Category:
Product Design
UX/ UI Design
Design Strategy
Why is reading important?
Reference at the end of the project
01
Improves Literacy
Reading builds vocabulary, grammar, and language comprehension. It’s the foundation of literacy, which directly influences academic achievement and lifelong learning (4).
Ecosystem Map
User Interviews
Persona
Pain Points Synthesis
Lack of engagement
Competitors
Amazon Kindle offers a vast digital library that syncs across multiple devices.
However, it falls short in offering features that engage users in today’s fast-paced digital environment. Additionally, it lacks tools or strategies to actively support and nurture consistent reading habits.
Design Goal
02
Enhances Cognitive Development
Regular reading strengthens brain connectivity, improves memory, and develops critical thinking and analytical skills. It activates regions in the brain associated with understanding and empathy (5).
Heavy weight
Problem
In today’s fast-paced digital world, reading is rapidly declining. The constant pull of social media, content overload, and the demand for instant gratification have eroded our ability to focus and be patient. This shift has far-reaching consequences right from reduced literacy rates, weakened critical thinking, and hindered cognitive development. Reading isn’t just a habit, it’s a foundational skill that shapes how we learn, connect, and grow. Its decline signals a growing crisis in how we engage with knowledge and ourselves.
decline in leisure reading by some, this century (1)
50%
89%
23%
89% of respondents said social media has negatively affected children’s reading habits (3)
people say they haven’t read a book in whole or in part in the past year (2)
Reference at the end of the project
03
Boosts Focus and Concentration
Unlike the quick consumption of digital content, reading encourages sustained attention, deep thinking, and mindfulness skills that are diminishing in today’s distraction heavy environment (6).
An ecosystem map that visualizes the interconnected elements that influence users' reading habits highlighting key aspects that shape the reading journey and experiences.
Too many distractions
Libby provides e-books and audio books to rent for free.
However, access is limited to the offerings of individual libraries, often leading to long wait times. Not all titles are available digitally, which can restrict accessibility.
Need for instant gratification
Kobo offers a wide range of e-books and audiobooks, similar to Kindle.
However, it lacks personalization features, user engagement, and tools to retain users. It doesn’t fully address the evolving needs of modern readers.
Design Concept
THE WHAT
THE HOW
Personalisation
Reading is an inherently personal experience. From interviews and research, it's clear that individuals engage with reading in unique ways, each with their own preferences, routines, and motivations.
AI integration
Using AI to craft a personalized reading environment that adapts to each user’s goals, habits, and needs. This tailored approach not only supports users in building reading habits but also empowers them to shape their reading journey.
Design Process
Figma Prototyping
AI Explorations - v0 ai
Final Design
Information Architecture
Personalization
The AI-powered quiz tailors a reading space based on your goals and preferences, empowering the user to create a journey that’s uniquely theirs.
Achieve your goal
Quick Reads
Ideation
Customized Library
Immersive Reading
The app helps users set small, achievable goals to build a consistent and lasting reading habit. It features a simplified landing page that highlights a clear goal and the current book in progress, reducing clutter and avoiding information overload.
Sketched concepts and user flows to explore and define the user experience.
This feature offers flexibility by letting users enjoy shorter reads without the pressure of finishing a full book. It supports consistency through small-sized content that fits into even the busiest schedules and is perfect for when you only have a few minutes to spare.
An AI-curated library catered to the user’s interests that helps reduce overwhelm from too many choices. By offering focused suggestions, it keeps users engaged and motivated without the burden of endless scrolling.
This feature adds an interactive layer using visuals, sound, and motion to engage users who avoid text-heavy content. It makes reading feel more dynamic, enjoyable, and accessible, especially for those who prefer a sensory or immersive experience.
Reflections
Why is this important?
Takeaways
Reading plays an important role in our life. It is what has driven humans forward, increased literally all around the world, build focus and patience. Today’s fast paced world is living and breathing on social media and content overload. It is alarming that the content that we are consuming is at such a surface level.
This project is aims to bring back reading habits by understanding current needs and user behaviors and offering solutions that would engage and empower the users to build a better tomorrow.
One size doesn’t always fit all
User interviews played a crucial role in the research process. Reading habits vary widely from person to person, influenced by factors like personal interests, literacy levels, and daily routines. This highlighted the importance of moving beyond personal bias and engaging directly with users to deeply understand their unique challenges, motivations, and needs.
Experience Sells
A concept can’t be communicated through words alone. While verbal explanations are useful, they often fall short in conveying the bigger picture, especially in design. Visuals, prototypes, and interactive elements were essential tools for bringing the abstract concepts to life. It help in understanding better, spark feedback, and allow the users to experience the idea rather than just hear about it.
References:
1. janine. 2024. “Impact of Digital Media on Children’s Reading Habits.” Tutor Doctor (blog). May 10, 2024. https://tutordoctor.com.au/blog/impact-of-digital-media-on-childrens-reading-habits/.
2. Perrin, Risa Gelles-Watnick and Andrew. 2021. “Who Doesn’t Read Books in America?” Pew Research Center (blog). September 21, 2021. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2021/09/21/who-doesnt-read-books-in-america/.
3. “The End of Reading - The Ringer.” n.d. Accessed June 25, 2025. https://www.theringer.com/podcasts/plain-english-with-derek-thompson/2025/02/28/the-end-of-reading.
4. National Literacy Trust (UK)
5. Wolf, M. (2007). Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain*
6.: Maryanne Wolf, "Reader, Come Home" (2018)