2017 / Toy Design
/ Educational Toy
/ Professional
Chineasy Tiles
ShaoLan, a London-based Taiwanese
entrepreneur, was having trouble inspiring her
kids to learn Chinese. So she created Chineasy,
an award-winning teaching method that has
revolutionized Chinese learning. For anyone
trying to understand China, Chinese language,
and culture, Chineasy is the natural first step.
This innovative, design-driven, user-centric brand
has over 600,000 followers across the internet,
and its publications have been translated into 19
languages and sold in over 30 countries.
Wallpaper* Magazine awarded Chineasy the
2014 Design Award for “Life-Enhancer of the
Year”. Visitors to the UK Design Museum voted
Chineasy one of the “Best Designs of the Year
2014.” Chineasy won the D&AD 2015 awards.
FastCompany ranked Chineasy in the World’s
Top 10 Innovative Companies backed by
Kickstarter in 2015. Wired Japan ranked
Chineasy in the Top 25 Design Projects in the
WXD 2015.
Working in London, Boston, and Taipei, ShaoLan
and her team believe in playful learning and
innovation, the team collaborated with MIT to
develop Chineasy Tiles - a Chinese learning
game with which players can start with 48
essential characters, and can then form 200+
Chinese phrases.
Rigorous user testing is conducted to ensure that
Chineasy Tiles will fulfil the needs of a wide user
base. In classroom, social, and home
environments, the team tested over 100 people
aged 4 to 60, from native Chinese speakers to
total beginners. The final product has
incorporated critical feedbacks, such as
including only characters consistent for both
traditional and simplified Chinese, making the
game board flat (more exciting if you can peek
others’ progress!), making a dent in the tile cavity
to allow users to flip tiles easily, and more.
Through Chineasy Tiles, Chineasy will carry on its
mission to bridge the gap between East and
West by breaking down the Great Wall of Chinese
Language.
Other prizes D&AD Award 2015
Wallpaper* Design Award 2014
Photo Credit: Chineasy
