UX - Translation App
I was responsible for designing and prototyping this beta release Translator Testing application. The UI/UX is the face of a advanced HyTer network application that takes much of the burden off testers and administrators and expedites the testing, qualifying and passing exams taken by applicants. This was the first release that allowed the back end team to evaluate and improve on the language network pairs. Custom icons and UI/UX
Opportunity statement
The US government had priority need for translators to meet the challenges of globalization and its interests in hundreds of locations around the world. Our ability to bring together advanced machine translation and a deep understanding of linguistics and language structure ideally positioned SDLGov to provide a solution to this need.
SDLGov proposed using a common data store populated with an evolving database built from millions of correct answers to language translations.
Up to this point the USG had been using hand written tests at geographically specific locations. This process was inefficient and misused resources who could be translating subject matter in their area of expertise instead of mundane translations.
The geographical issue was very large. Many multilingual candidates are not in the US and having the ability to test, rate and certify them as resources would increase the pool of approved translators exponentially.
Two Tracks
- Testing Translators
The needs by governments to test, rate and certify translators and onboard them into essential government agencies has created the opportunity to create a system and application to transform existing procedures and practices into a consistent, improved accuracy and efficient translator candidtate evaluation system. - The Translation Knowledge Base
With the advent of Hyter networks for creating and sharing multiple correct answers to translation tests, the opportunity exists to assist government agencies in becoming more efficient, synchronous and
Initial Findings
- Subject Matter Experts in Foreign Translation
Currently SME’s are required to translate entire documents prepared by examinees to give context to critical specific subject matter. This is time consuming and costs excessive time from a highly valuable and in demand resource. With redundant and repetitive tasks handled with automation for testing, Subject Matter Experts will be able to focus on the critical portions of a translation and increase the number of candidates they can review and rate.
- Pen and Paper
Currently agencies are using in person paper and pen exams, taken and rated by hand. This is time consuming, leads to inconsistencies of baseline testing, loss of valuable candidates from incorrect rating due to narrow knowledge base on the rater. With a centralized knowledge base with multiple correct answers distributed electronically to all testing locations. The number of acceptable candidates will increase, raters will become more proficient.
Visualizing the Opportunity
I created a process diagram with the benefits clearly laid out as both a marketing piece and to create a common understanding of our goal in designing and deploying the App.
Early Prototype – Medium Res
There was a wire framing and sketch phase prior to this step. Since the process is very linear with a limited number of abstractions, I felt comfortable enough for the first prototype to be rendered out clear enough that we move to early testing. It was important to accurate capture each element and tasks that users of the system would need to access.
