Overview
This project explores the language gap in social settings, particularly within academic spaces where linguistic diversity is vast. Inspired by my own observations at UAL and a conversation with a peer who, despite their best efforts, struggled to communicate—both in understanding and expressing themselves—I sought to create a simple, engaging solution. This moment stood out to me, reinforcing how language barriers can limit social interaction and create a sense of isolation.
The result is a deck of 52 illustrated playing cards—each featuring a word from a different language. Designed as an ice-breaker, the cards help individuals learn and share vocabulary naturally within social settings through the shared experience of play—something familiar, interactive, and less intimidating.
To better understand these barriers, I interviewed peers about their language and cultural experiences. The most common concerns that emerged were hesitancy and fear of judgment.
To embed this detail in my work, the back pattern of the card deck is derived from this illustration, where hands gently nudge a person to take a step toward making a conversation.
Another key finding was that while spoken language differs, play remains a universal connector. Playing cards, in particular, are widely recognized across cultures.
Hence, each card includes a word, its meaning, phonetic pronunciation, and an illustration representing its interpretation.
