Strategy
Research
lark blind learning community
A tailored platform that supports independent learning for the blind community in China.
TL;DR
Work Type
Team of 3
Timeline
Sep 2020 - Dec 2020 (4 months)
Context
CCA Creative Founder Studio
Tools Used
Lean Method, Mural
Project Goal
Design a validated solution with real user insights and potential business value.
key Challenge
Difficulty accessing blind participants due to tight-knit, exclusive social networks.
key Approaches
Empathy interview, MVP testing, Business model, Acquisition funnel
the problem
A social dilemma for the blind
In China, over 8.2 million people are visually impaired, yet job diversity remains limited: According to China Visually impaired user Internet Usage Report, 63% of blind people work as masseurs.
*Blindness is the total or near-total loss of sight, while visual impairment is any degree of vision loss that can't be corrected with glasses or contact lenses.
Through interviews with over 20 blind individuals in China over three months, we uncovered a core issue: the lack of career diversity stems from a lack of accessible, diverse educational opportunities.
Here is a quote from one interviewees:
"When we(blind people) go to special colleges, there are only two options: massaging/acupuncture or instrument tuning. Both options are limited. Many people have no choice if they want to feed themselves instead of becoming a burden to their family."
-Li Yi
the solution
Lean by design: Tackling 3 Pains at Once
Persona
We created a persona named Liming to capture 3 pain points blind learners face:
Struggles to process online content due to visual barriers
Lacks a community to answer questions unique to his experience
Spends excessive time trying to explore new topics independently
Storyboard
Brainstorms
Key Use
Our key use addresses the three pain points for our persona during his learning process.
Key Features
Using a prioritization matrix, we make sure to only build core features in our MVP to maximize effectiveness and stay lean.
MVP testing
Time for Truth: Will They Pay?
Instead of developing an actual product, we want to leverage the existing platform: from our interview, all participants use Wechat as their major communication channel.
Designing the MVP
Then we launched our MVP in the form of concierge testing, where we manually generate & manage learning contents. In one week, we formed a Wechat group, recruited 16 participants and delivered 7 audio courses. We also recruited a tutor who specialized in the area of interest.
Launching the MVP
Then we launched our MVP in the form of concierge testing, where we manually generate & manage learning contents.
Here is a screen recording of our tester using the MVP with a screen reader >>
MVP Result
After a week, 3/16 users converted to a paid subscription for 20 RMB/week.
Acquisition Funnel
The acquisition funnel shows a promising conversion rate of 0.6% (3 out of 500 users paid for continually using the product).
Market info
Unlocking the Untapped Potential of the Blind Market
Competitive Analysis
Through a 2×2 analysis of educational apps by content type and learning flow, we positioned our product in the 'media-based, linear learning' quadrant.
Our direct competitor, Zhiliao, which also targets blind users, appears in a different quadrant which focus more on a scattered learning path (circled in red).
Market Size
We generated the market size number based on two reports, China Visually impaired User Internet Usage Report and WHO’s Global data on visual impairment. The number presents a large market that has full potential to invest.
business structure
A Scalable Model for an Underserved Market
Lark's Ecosystem
Business Info
Guided by the Lean Canvas, we crafted a focused structure that enabled us to deliver a high-impact product.
Pricing Model
Our goal is to ensure the product remains accessible and affordable for all blind communities, including those with lower incomes. By offering two distinct pricing plans, we provide the flexibility to accommodate diverse learning needs and financial situations.
Revenue Estimate
Using data from our MVP and secondary research, we found that even at a low price point, the size of the blind community reveals strong revenue potential—highlighting a market worthy of continued investment.
result & vision
Empowering Education, Breaking social Barriers
reflection
Bridging Entrepreneurship and Design
My experience as an entrepreneur has been invaluable to my growth as a designer. It gave me the opportunity to "walk out of the building" and see the bigger picture through the eyes of real customers. This perspective sharpened my ability to manage timelines and resources efficiently—skills that are critical to successful design delivery.
Additionally, applying the LEAN methodology to my daily design practice has been transformative. It taught me how to maximize customer value while minimizing waste—whether of time, money, or other resources—helping me create more impactful and efficient solutions.
Our team archived the whole developing process through weekly blog posts.