Building an educational app that makes huge numbers feel intuitive
A React-based learning tool for children that turns big numbers into something you can see, feel, and explore.
Date
Jul. 25 - Present
Client
Big Number Academy
Category
Product build, UX, delivery
PLACEMENT
Live web app
The Situation.
I wanted to build something genuinely useful for children who enjoy maths, especially those drawn to patterns and very large numbers. Most resources explain big numbers with text, but the real hurdle is scale. So the product needed to be visual, playful, and fast.
The Challenge
The app needed to be engaging without feeling like a game that gets in the way. It had to be simple enough for a child to use independently, while still being technically robust and expandable.
This meant solving for:
- A clear mental model for scale, without heavy explanation
- A UI that works well on touch screens
- Performance, so the experience stays smooth as numbers grow
- A structure that lets new activities be added without rewriting the app
What I implemented.
- Product direction and scope Defined a small number of high-value interactions, then built around those rather than shipping lots of features.
- Interaction-first UX Designed the interface so learning happens through experimentation, with clear controls and immediate feedback.
- React build with a maintainable component model Built the app as a set of reusable UI and activity components so additional modules can be added cleanly.
- Performance and reliability basics early Kept the experience responsive on typical devices, and made sure the app behaves predictably under load.
- Ongoing iteration Continued refining based on real usage, tightening copy, reducing friction, and improving clarity.
The Outcome.
The result is a calm, child-friendly learning experience that turns large numbers into something interactive, not abstract. The platform is structured so it can grow into a suite of number activities without becoming fragile.
Optional metrics to add later
- Time-on-activity, returning sessions, or number of activities completed
- Load performance scores (mobile)
- Engagement improvements after key UX tweaks
