Writing is designing: Use words to build better experiences | Andy Welfle & Michael J. Metts [VIDEO & SLIDES]

Without words, apps would be an unusable jumble of shapes and icons, while voice interfaces and chatbots wouldn’t even exist. Words make digital experiences human-centered, and require just as much thought as the branding and code.

• See how interfaces rely on language, and how writing can make or break an experience
• Take a deep dive into error messages, and learn a technique you can use in your own organization
• Learn principles for UX writing that anyone who works on digital products can apply to their own work

This talk draws on the content from the presenters' recent book.

Andy Welfle:  When Andy was eight, he wanted to be a poet and a paleontologist. Twenty-seven years later, he is neither, but he uses those skills in his day job as a content strategist on Adobe’s product design team — writing under huge constraints, and uncovering artifacts from big, old software interfaces. When he’s not working, he’s creating podcasts and zines about one of his favorite topics: wooden pencils. Find him in San Francisco with his wife and two large cats, or online at andy.wtf.

Michael J. Metts: Michael helps teams build great products and services by putting people first. With a background in journalism, he frequently finds himself talking about the role words play in designing useful, usable digital products. He has given talks and taught workshops at industry conferences around the world. He lives with his wife, two children, and a very small dog just outside Chicago.

Recording

Slides