British Names: Personalised Naming Platform for Chinese Users

Tech Stack: Next.js | JavaScript | React | AWS Amplify | Figma | Stripe | WeChat Integration

Preface

British Names was a culturally sensitive, responsive web application that helped Chinese users choose meaningful British names aligned with their personality and aspirations. Inspired by my experience teaching in China, the platform aimed to bridge linguistic and cultural divides by combining modern front-end technologies and strategic cultural localisation.

Project Overview

During my experience teaching in China, I identified a common issue: individuals frequently adopted English names arbitrarily, without consideration of their meaning or relevance. This led to the creation of British Names, a platform that strategically pairs Chinese users with thoughtfully selected British names. My role encompassed end-to-end management—from UX/UI design using Figma to front-end and backend implementation using Next.js, React, AWS Amplify, and WeChat integration.

Technical Challenges and Solutions

Language Barriers and Cultural Nuances

Understanding and accurately conveying cultural nuances was crucial. To address this, I:

• Led a detailed translation and rewriting process for over 500 British name definitions into Mandarin, ensuring cultural accuracy.
• Opted for Chinese zodiac signs instead of English zodiac signs for stronger cultural relevance.

User Engagement and Technical Innovation

To maximise user engagement, the project included:

• Automated Personalised Certificate Generation: Leveraging Node.js and JavaScript to dynamically generate downloadable certificates, enhancing user interaction and satisfaction.
• Responsive Web Design: Implementing robust responsiveness using SCSS, ensuring consistent user experiences across devices and popular Chinese browsers such as WeChat and Baidu.

Cross-Cultural and Technical Collaboration

Understanding the need for accurate and culturally resonant content, I engaged native Chinese freelancers from UpWork to meticulously translate over 500 name definitions, which greatly enhanced linguistic precision and cultural authenticity.

WeChat Integration

Recognising the technological landscape in China, strategic integration with WeChat was pivotal. The platform leveraged WeChat's extensive reach, significantly increasing user accessibility and engagement.

Outcomes and Achievements

British Names successfully provided a unique solution, effectively bridging cultural gaps and offering genuine value to users. Key achievements include:

• Seamless compatibility across Chinese browsers and devices.
• Over 500 culturally resonant name definitions, meticulously localised.
• Enhanced user experience through personalised certificates and strategic WeChat integration.

Project Images