Client: Internal IP Productization
My Role: Product Manager
The Team: Led a cross-functional squad of 6 (1 UI/UX Designer, 3 Unity Devs, 2 Backend Devs)
Technical Platforms: Unity (Cross-platform).
Challenge
Transforming a Global Legacy IP into an Interactive Learning Experience
The Smurfs Dictionary is a premium interactive educational application designed as a digital companion to physical flashcards. Utilizing the globally recognized The Smurfs IP (60+ years of history), the app bridges the gap between traditional rote memorization and modern “Education 4.0” engagement. By integrating IP with situational learning, the product provides a high-value digital extension for parents and children aged 4-12.
Situation
IP Commercialization & Scalability
The project’s primary objective was to leverage a high-profile international IP to create a sustainable digital product. The core challenges included:
- Balancing Branding & Utility: Maintaining the strict brand guidelines of a global IP (The Smurfs) while ensuring the app remained a functional, intuitive educational tool.
- Content Density & Performance: Managing over 420 words and 28 complex scenarios without compromising app stability or download size on mobile devices.
Approach
1. Scenario-Based UX Logic
Departing from the traditional, boring alphabetical dictionary format, the product strategy prioritized Contextual Learning.
- The Decision: I directed the UI/UX design to revolve around 28 Life Scenarios (e.g., “At a Party,” “Gargamel’s Castle,” “Daily Life”).
- User Benefit: Children learn English by exploring the Smurfs’ world. Clicking an object triggers an animation and native audio, creating a “Visual-Auditory-Cognitive” link that mimics natural language acquisition.
2. Cross-Functional Leadership
Leading a team of four developers required precise technical roadmap management:
- Modular Development (Unity): I collaborated with the 3 Unity Developers to implement a modular asset loading system. This allowed the app to handle high-quality animations for 420+ words while ensuring smooth performance on mid-range smartphones.
- Backend & Data Continuity: I led the 2 Backend Developers to architect a robust progress-tracking system. This ensured that a child’s learning milestones and “Favorite Words” were preserved across sessions, driving long-term product retention.
3. Strategic Quality Control
As a PM focused on UX details, I oversaw the refinement of the bilingual interface, e.g addressed critical bilingual display issues, such as punctuation logic and character wrapping, ensuring the dictionary met professional publishing standards for both English and Chinese learners.
Results & Impact
- Product Breadth: Delivered a massive content database covering 7 thematic domains (from Seasons to Emotions), significantly outperforming standard digital flashcard apps in the market.
- Scalable Framework: Established a reusable Unity-based “Interactive Dictionary” template, providing a blueprint for future IP-based educational products.