Michaela Krawczyk PhD student at Indiana University Bloomington

UX Projects

Daily UX Writing Challenge

Challenge

I participated in a newsletter challenge where I received a UX-writing prompt every day for 15 days. For each scenario, I brainstormed ideas for about 10 minutes (let's be real, I usually hit snooze on my alarm for an extra 5-20 minutes). Then I picked the best one and created a mockup using Canva.

Daily UX Writing Challenge preview image

What I Learned

Sharing my mockups on the Daily UX Writing Facebook group was arguably the most enriching part of this experience. Receiving feedback on my writing and checking out others' posts taught me a lot.

I learned that I don't need to use all of the allotted space. Even if I have space for 175 characters-- it might be more effective to just use 100.

I learned that it's important to remember the business behind your writing goals. UX writing should cater to users, but it also has to represent a company or brand name.

I learned that even though there are some clear-cut principles, UX writing can still be pretty subjective. For Day 4, some people on FB loved "Sick of coming to our store?," while others thought that "Sick" was too strong of a word.

Daily UX Writing Day 1 airplane cancellation mockup

Day 1: Airplane cancellation

Scenario

A traveler is in an airport waiting for the last leg of a flight home when their flight gets abruptly cancelled due to bad weather.

Challenge

Write a message from the airline app notifying them of the cancellation and what they need to do next.

What I Did

  • Focused on accommodation, both in tone and information (addressed the user by name, put the onus on "we" instead of "you", specified "next available" plane).
  • Similar to ride share apps, this message tells a user that they can close the screen and await further information.
  • Added a phone icon next to "Customer Service" to better indicate where the button will take a user.
Daily UX Writing Day 2 sports app mockup

Day 2: Ad for sports app

Scenario

A user is a working parent, and a big sports fan, in the midst of their favorite sports season who can no longer attend games.

Challenge

Write a promotional screen for an app that lets a user choose teams, sends game reminders, real-time score updates and highlight videos.

What I Did

  • Referenced ESPN ads for design inspiration to maintain a sense of community (including colors and typefaces).
  • Incorporated sports-related phrases to create an upbeat tone.
  • Labeled CTA button with one of the first action items that someone will do on the app, instead of "download/purchase".
Daily UX Writing Day 3 email error mockup

Day 3: Email error message

Scenario

The user entered the wrong email address to sign in to their account.

Challenge

Tell the user to enter the right email.

What I Did

  • Used concise language to alert user about login issue.
  • Incorporated design elements to highlight area of interest.
Daily UX Writing Day 4 grocery delivery subscription mockup

Day 4: Grocery delivery subscription

Scenario

A user is in their favorite supermarket. They open the supermarket’s app on their phone to see what’s on sale and are greeted by a promotion.

Challenge

Write a promotional home screen for a subscription service that delivers groceries to the user once-a-month for a flat fee.

What I Did

  • Utilized self-deprecating humor in headline to grab user's attention.
  • Bolded "$15/month" and added a delivery icon to highlight relevant information and make skim-reading easier.
  • Framed the exit button as the more labor-intensive option.
Daily UX Writing Day 5 app recovery message mockup

Day 5: App recovery message

Scenario

The user works in graphic design. While critiquing a design in a mobile app, their phone abruptly turns off. When they restart the phone, they reopen the app.

Challenge

Write a message that the user will read immediately upon opening the app. What do they need to know? What steps (if any) do they need to take to recover their content? What if they can't recover the content?

What I Did

  • Took inspiration from doctors delivering bad news (in the movies) to create a consoling tone, with a tinge of humor.
  • Chose precise phrasing to distance the company/app from the loss of work, without blaming the user (e.g., "we did everything we could" and "your edits didn't make it").
Daily UX Writing Day 6 fire notification mockup

Day 6: Fire notification

Scenario

It’s Monday. A user has just gotten into their car to drive to work. They plug their phone into the car and start driving.

Challenge

How would you let the user know there’s a fire happening in a nearby town that is causing road closures? The effect on their commute is unknown, but there is a definite danger if the fire gets closer. How do you communicate this to them? When? Write it.

What I Did

  • Relayed hazard information in very few words.
  • Kept a clean, simple design to not distract from message.
  • Incorporated large dismissal button since the user is likely operating a vehicle (took inspiration from Google maps UI).
Daily UX Writing Day 7 game score notification mockup

Day 7: Game score notification

Scenario

A sports fan is at a wedding while their favorite team is playing against their arch-rivals. Their team scores.

Challenge

How would you, quickly, let the sports fan know about the latest play, the current score, and the key players? Write it.

What I Did

  • Referred to basketball game streams and highlight videos for information layout and key dialogue points.
  • Created "mini-scoreboard" so users can quickly absorb relevant information in a familiar format without having to read about key players.

More mockups are on their way...