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.
How My Brain Works
(Apparently)
My ideas usually came in a roller-coaster pattern. They'd go from boring and basic, to creative and engaging, to overly cheesy (like a dad pun that's so bad it's not even worth fake-laughing at), and then back to boring.
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Some days the ideas came easily. Other days, not so much. I benefited a lot from looking at external stimuli, such as Google images, error-messaging examples, or basketball scoreboards on highlight videos.
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Some of these challenges felt very similar to being a student ambassador. I knew what information I wanted to relay, but I needed to present that info in a clear, concise, accommodating, and (often) humorous way.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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
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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).
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Similar to ride share apps, this message tells a user that they can close the screen and await further information.
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Added a phone icon next to "Customer Service" to better indicate where the button will take a user.
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
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Referenced ESPN ads for design inspiration to maintain a sense of community (including colors and typefaces).
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Incorporated sports-related phrases to create an upbeat tone.
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Labeled CTA button with one of the first action items that someone will do on the app, instead of "download/purchase".
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
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Used concise language to alert user about login issue.​
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Incorporated design elements to highlight area of interest.
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
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Utilized self-deprecating humor in headline to grab user's attention.
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Bolded "$15/month" and added a delivery icon to highlight relevant information and make skim-reading easier.​
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Framed the exit button as the more labor-intensive option.
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
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Took inspiration from doctors delivering bad news (in the movies) to create a consoling tone, with a tinge of humor.​
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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").
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
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Relayed hazard information in very few words.
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Kept a clean, simple design to not distract from message.
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Incorporated large dismissal button since the user is likely operating a vehicle (took inspiration from Google maps UI).
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
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Referred to basketball game streams and highlight videos for information layout and key dialogue points.​
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Created "mini-scoreboard" so users can quickly absorb relevant information in a familiar format without having to read about key players.