Torrey Podmajersky, author of Strategic Writing for UX, highlights the importance of giving work context, establishing shared vocabulary, testing and instrumentation for A.B. testing, the development of the Xbox privacy screen, distilling legal requirements, the importance of context and shared vocabulary in design, and the power of words on user experience.
Recognize the power of content in UX design, even when facing constraints in other areas of the system.
Establish a shared vocabulary to promote understanding and effective communication among designers and stakeholders.
Deep dives
Importance of Flexibility in Content Management Systems
In the podcast episode, Tori Podmajerski discusses the lack of flexibility in content management systems (CMS). She provides an example where the only thing they could change in the software was the text. Despite the outdated design and limited options, they realized the power of being able to modify the words to improve the user experience. This highlights the importance of recognizing the power and impact of content within UX design, even when faced with constraints in other areas of the system.
The Value of Conversation and Context in UX Writing
Tori highlights the need for conversation and context in UX writing. She shares an anecdote about being asked to rewrite screens during a presentation without any context provided. Instead of accepting this unreasonable request, Tori pushes back and asks questions to gather more information. This emphasizes the importance of understanding the purpose and audience of the content being created, as well as the value of open dialogue and collaboration between designers, writers, and other stakeholders.
Creating a Controlled Vocabulary for Effective Communication
Tori emphasizes the need for a controlled vocabulary to improve understanding and communication. She acknowledges that different words may hold different meanings for different audiences, and thus, it is crucial to establish a shared understanding. By providing clear definitions and explanations of terms and concepts, designers can ensure that their message is effectively communicated and understood by all stakeholders, reducing the risk of misinterpretation and promoting better collaboration.
Recognizing the Evolution and Importance of UX Writing
Throughout the episode, Tori discusses the historical significance and growing importance of UX writing. She highlights how UX writing has been a fundamental aspect of design, dating back to early user interfaces. However, it has often been overlooked or undervalued. The conversation brings attention to the increasing recognition of UX writing as a critical component of user experience design and the need to prioritize and invest in quality content to enhance the overall user experience.
S02E02 (#312). Torrey Podmajersky, author of Strategic Writing for UX, joined us to help us get the words to work. Together with Torrey we highlight the importance of giving our work context as well as establishing a shared vocabulary.
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