About me

I'm Ilyas Lahlou (LAHLOU ILYAS), a Computer Science student at 西北工业大学 (Northwestern Polytechnical University) in Xi'an, China.

Studying Chinese while living in China, I kept bouncing off flashcard apps that felt like homework. I wanted something that felt like play, so I built it.

I believe you learn a language by using it, not by grinding through lists. HSKetch turns the classic game of Pictionary into a way to learn Chinese vocabulary: you draw, guess, and laugh with friends, then save the words you want to keep and review them later.

The goal is simple: make a study tool you'd actually want to open even when you're not studying.

HSKetch is a solo project, designed and built end-to-end: a Next.js web app, real-time multiplayer rooms running on Partykit, a Supabase backend for accounts and decks, and a spaced-repetition engine (FSRS) that brings each saved word back right when you're about to forget it.

It started as a side project to make my own studying less boring and grew into something I hope helps other learners too. If it makes even one character stick in your memory, it did its job.

Feedback, ideas, or just want to say hi? Reach me at official.lahlou@gmail.com.