I don’t remember exactly when I learned about UX Writing, but it’s on my radar now so I’m going for it. The last few weeks I’ve been networking, attending webinars, and creating some portfolio samples. Here’s 4 big things I’ve learned already.
It is a writing style you have to learn. I’ve written in a lot of different genres, but UX writing is a different kind of writing. It’s not hard to learn, but just because you’ve done some copywriting or technical writing, doesn’t mean you know UX writing.
It is intricately tied to design. As a matter of fact, it is design.
UX writing isn’t necessarily written to be read. If you do it well, it disappears. This is so fascinating to me. I guarantee you have overlooked the text suggestions in a search bar or on an online form. How many websites do you go to that you know so well that you don’t read them? You just “know” how to checkout or you just “know” you’re supposed to click that button. Great UX writing guides you through a particular online experience.
You have to think about text that may not appear on screen–alt text, hover states, tool tips. Also very fascinating and I imagine easy to forget. Websites have a lot of text that doesn’t appear on screen, at least initially. And this text may not appear for all users.
A fascinating field, UX Writing. I’m looking forward to what I will learn next.
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