Overview

Universikid is an innovative educational platform specifically designed for children, transforming learning into an engaging and fun experience. The project combines gamification elements with educational content. Both the website (universikid.com) and the iOS/Android app are available with interactive content in Italian, Spanish, and English. As the lead developer, I guided a team of professionals in creating a complete educational ecosystem that stimulates curiosity and rewards user progress.

Technologies Used

  • Unity (cross-platform mobile app development and interactive environments)
  • WordPress with LearnPress
  • WooCommerce
  • RESTful API
  • Microsoft PlayFab

Universikid example 1

Universikid example 2

Universikid example 2

Universikid example 2

Features

Explorable 3D Worlds

Students can immerse themselves in themed three-dimensional environments where learning happens through exploration. Each world is carefully designed to represent different areas of knowledge, with interactive characters that guide children through lessons and propose educational challenges.

Gamification System

  • The platform implements a sophisticated gamification system with:
    • Experience points and progressive objectives
    • Unlockable paths and mini-games in the 3D world
    • Collectible Cards
    • Mini-Quests and Interactive Dialogues with many different characters

Integrated Video Player

A custom video player offers educational content in audiovisual format with child-friendly controls, viewing tracking, and integration with the gamification system to reward lesson completion.

Cross-platform Synchronization

The learning experience is perfectly synchronized between the web version and mobile apps. Users can start a lesson on their computer and continue it on tablet or smartphone without losing progress, maintaining consistency in the educational experience regardless of the device used.

Multi-language Support

The platform offers educational content in three languages:

  • Italian
  • Spanish
  • English

This multilingual approach allows reaching an international audience and supports foreign language learning.

Architecture and Technical Notes

Backend

The web platform is built on WordPress with LearnPress as the core LMS (Learning Management System). WooCommerce manages in-app purchases and transactions, with a database that synchronizes user data across all platforms.

Web Frontend

The web interface was designed with special attention to child usability, featuring engaging visual elements, intuitive navigation, and immediate feedback, maintaining consistency with the mobile experience.

Cross-Platform Mobile App

I developed the iOS and Android apps using Unity as a cross-platform framework, allowing maintenance of a unified code base and reuse of the same 3D assets and game mechanics present in the web version.

Unity-WordPress Integration

I implemented a communication system between Unity and WordPress through custom RESTful APIs, allowing the apps to access course content, synchronize user progress, and manage in-app purchases.

Role and Contributions

As the lead developer, my contribution to the project included:

  • Implementation of the Unity user interface for mobile apps
  • Development of the integration system between 3D worlds and LearnPress course content
  • Creation of the cross-platform synchronization system to maintain consistent user progress
  • Complete management of the store publication cycle, including Apple App Store and Google Play Console dashboard configuration
  • Implementation and supervision of alpha and beta versions for testing with selected user groups before official releases
  • Performance optimization to ensure a smooth experience across different devices
  • Coordination with other developers (up to 5 throughout the project) to integrate various system components

Project Results and Evolution

The project continues to evolve with new educational content, worlds to explore, and features that enrich the learning experience.

Universikid has also successfully experimented with expansion into physical experiences through Universikid HUBs, spaces where children can participate in live courses and workshops with professional artists and explore interactive installations, as already happened in Ibiza during the BLOOP International Proactive Festival and in Milan during the Salone del Mobile.