LocaAI Mobile App
Mobile App Design
Web Design
EXPLORE
EXPLORE
EXPLORE
LocaAI – Designing a Voice-First AI Assistant for a Niche Market
Overview
LocaAI is a voice-driven AI assistant designed to help users ask questions and get instant answers using natural voice interaction. The app was built to offer a faster, more intuitive way to access information—removing the need for typing and making AI more accessible through voice.
As the UI/UX Lead, I was responsible for shaping the product from the ground up: from product concept, user flow design, to crafting an interface that feels human-centric, lightweight, and aligned with the fast-evolving AI market.
The Challenge
The AI space is rapidly growing, crowded with new tools launching every week
We needed to stand out by focusing on a specific niche of voice-first interaction
The goal was to make AI feel personal, natural, and fast, not robotic or overwhelming
We had to design and validate a functional MVP quickly to keep up with market momentum
My Role
Role: UI/UX Lead
Team: 1 PM, 6 Developers, 1 AI Engineer
I led the product experience design—from concept to clickable prototype—including onboarding, voice interaction UX, and response handling UI
⚙️ Design Process
1. User & Market Research
We conducted fast competitive research to analyze:
What other AI voice apps were doing wrong (e.g. slow response times, clunky UIs)
What non-tech-savvy users expected when talking to a virtual assistant
We decided to target a niche market segment: professionals who prefer hands-free access to quick knowledge during meetings, walking, or commuting.
2. Voice-First UX Flow
Instead of starting with text, we prioritized microphone-first onboarding and simplified the process into 3 steps:
Tap mic
Ask your question
Hear the answer instantly
The UI needed to be:
Minimal, distraction-free, optimized for quick interaction
Visualize listening and responding states through animations and waveforms
Handle voice errors with gentle fallback messages and retry options
3. System Design & Branding
Defined a calm, tech-forward visual language (light gradients, soft shadows, rounded cards)
Built reusable components for voice input, playback, and AI responses
Designed for multi-language use, preparing for scale in local markets
4. MVP Prioritization
To test the market fast, we trimmed to core features:
Voice input
AI-generated response (text + voice)
History of past questions
Clear onboarding to show app’s value in <10 seconds
Download on Apple Store / Google Play Store
Results & Impact
Shipped working MVP in under 4 weeks
Voice interaction success rate: 92% on first try
Average session time: 3.7 minutes—users kept asking follow-ups
Early users reported feeling the app was “surprisingly natural” for daily tasks
Positive feedback from niche communities (e.g. busy professionals, field workers)
Reflection
LocaAI was not just about chasing the AI hype—it was about finding an underserved use case (voice-first info access) and delivering it with clarity, calmness, and speed.
This case proved that even in fast-moving, crowded markets, a laser-focused UX with a specific user in mind can make a real impact.
