BBB: Revolutionizing Inclusive Cross-Language Communication
1 Overview
- BBB is an interpretation support app concept designed to help people from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds communicate more smoothly. The concept brings together tag-based interpretation requests, support for multilateral and non-verbal communication, a language guide based on usage history, and the visualization of a history of help given and received within a single service experience.
- Rather than offering interpretation as a one-time service, this project envisions a communication service that reduces linguistic and cultural gaps between people and broadens the reach of connection.
Role: I participated in this project as a UI/UX designer at UNIST’s EXPC Lab.
2 Context
BBB Korea has operated a service through which users can request interpretation support or provide interpretation on a volunteer basis. However, as AI translation technologies have advanced rapidly, it became necessary to redefine what role such interpretation support services should play going forward. In this context, the project explored the potential for the service to expand beyond one-time interpretation support into a broader form of communication support.
3 Approach
Within interpretation services, we aimed to make more active use of AI in areas where technology can perform effectively, while more clearly defining where human involvement is still essential. In real communication, a user’s situation, cultural context, nuance of expression, and non-verbal signals all operate together, and these elements are difficult to address through machine translation alone. Taking the existing phone-based interpretation experience as our starting point, we therefore sought to redefine BBB as a broader communication service that helps reduce the gaps created by differences in language and culture.
To do so, we developed the core service flow across several connected stages. Rather than focusing only on matching users with volunteer interpreters, we designed a continuous experience that includes explaining context before a request, supporting interaction during interpretation, and enabling learning and recording afterward.
Making it easier to explain the context of an interpretation request
The first area of focus was the stage before an interpretation request is made. We believed users should be able not only to ask for help, but also to more easily explain the situation they are currently in. To support this, we proposed a structure in which users describe their situation through tags before requesting interpretation. Users can either choose from pre-grouped tag sets or select individual tags directly on a map, while the system automatically suggests additional tags based on location and situational context.
Supporting inclusive conversation beyond phone-based interpretation
The second focus was to expand the scope of interaction during interpretation itself. While BBB maintains a structure centered on phone-based interpretation provided by human interpreters, we also proposed a direction in which AI could be used to recognize multilateral speech and sign language. In this way, the project extends an interpretation experience centered on spoken language into a more inclusive communication environment.
Turning usage history into a learning resource
The third focus was to ensure that interpretation experiences do not simply disappear after use. Based on the user’s current location and accumulated interpretation history, BBB recommends useful phrases and expressions for the given situation. The system is also designed so that, as interpretation history builds up, it becomes a language guide more closely tailored to the individual. Through this structure, interpretation history can develop into a learning resource that helps users prepare for similar situations in the future.
Making the connections formed through help and support visible
Finally, we designed the service so that users can look back on the traces of help exchanged through it. BBB allows users to see the reach and meaning of the linguistic and cultural support they have given and received, as well as the connections formed in the process. Through activity history and statistics, the service visualizes how participation has accumulated over time, and it also includes screens for managing volunteer status. In this way, we aimed to turn interpretation requests and support into experiences not simply of problem-solving, but ones in which mutual contribution and connection leave a lasting trace.
4 Outcome
4-1 Final Concept
The final concept proposes BBB as an app that brings together interpretation requests in multilingual environments, real-time conversation support, post-use learning, and the visualization of activity history and contribution within a single experience.
Tag-based interpretation requests
Before requesting interpretation, users can describe their situation through tags. The system suggests additional tags based on location and context, and users can build a more specific request context either through pre-grouped tag sets or through map-based tag selection.
Support for multilateral and non-verbal communication
While supporting phone-based interpretation led by human interpreters, the service also proposes a direction in which AI can recognize multilateral speech and sign language. This expands an interpretation experience centered on spoken language into a more inclusive communication environment.
A language guide based on usage history
We proposed a language guide that recommends useful phrases and expressions based on the user’s country, situation, and accumulated interpretation usage history. This feature allows service experiences to carry forward into improved language readiness in future situations.
Visualization of activity history and contribution
The service allows users to reflect on both the help they received and the support they provided through activity records and statistics. In this way, participation in the service can be understood not only in terms of functional outcomes, but also in terms of relationships and contribution.
4-2 Red Dot Award 2023
The BBB project was selected as a 2023 Red Dot Winner in the Brand & Communication Design, Apps category.
5 Reflection
Working on this project at a time when AI translation is advancing rapidly made me realize that distinguishing between what technology can do well and where people are still needed is itself an important design challenge. I came to think that wrestling with that boundary is itself what allows the role of a technology-driven service to come into focus.