Mastering Writing Through a Designer's Perspective
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Chapter 1: Embracing the Designer Mindset
When night falls, I transform into a superhero known as Justice Man, patrolling my city to combat crime.
That's a complete fabrication.
During the day, I work as a content designer, crafting digital material to help you navigate the chaotic online landscape and accomplish your tasks more efficiently.
That's the reality.
You might think "Content Designer" is just another fanciful title, akin to a crime-fighting superhero, but it is indeed a legitimate profession.
You might wonder, "Aren't you just a writer? Shouldn’t you simply be called a Writer?"
However, my role encompasses much more than just writing.
While I do enjoy writing for platforms like Medium to satisfy my creative urges, it constitutes only a minor part of my responsibilities.
The core of my job is to design content. Let’s explore what this entails and how applying content design principles can effectively amplify your message.
Section 1.1: Understanding User Challenges
To begin, I must identify the challenges my users encounter.
I collect data through user research, conversing with them directly, or observing their interactions with a website.
Website analytics also provide insights into where users abandon a service, offering clues to identify issues.
For instance, if I notice users progressing through a webpage but suddenly dropping off at a point with multiple options, it raises questions.
Are they unable to identify their next step? Is it not clear enough, or are they reluctant to proceed?
My job is to uncover the reasons behind these obstacles and resolve them.
I brainstorm numerous potential solutions to these issues, allowing all ideas—good and bad—to surface without self-censorship.
Later, I sift through these ideas to select the most promising ones for further exploration.
Subsection 1.1.1: Visualizing Your Audience
After publishing this article, it could reach anyone who finds the link, but I don't expect everyone to flock to it.
Instead, I envision a specific ideal reader—this is referred to as a "persona."
With this person in mind, I craft my article, hoping to draw in emerging writers looking to enhance their craft.
Section 1.2: Prioritizing Clarity and Simplicity
Admittedly, I struggle with this aspect myself.
I enjoy the richness of the English language and often feel tempted to showcase my vocabulary.
However, regardless of the topic, readers tend to stay engaged longer when the writing is accessible.
If they find themselves searching for definitions while reading, you risk losing their attention.
This doesn’t mean "dumbing down" the content; rather, it’s about being inclusive and easing comprehension for your audience.
This principle applies to academic writing as well; research indicates that even scholarly readers value straightforwardness.
Use fewer and simpler words:
- Replace "provide" with "give."
- Swap "attempted" for "tried."
- Change "utilise" to "use."
Chapter 2: Structuring for Readability
I often read articles on Medium while on the go, typically on my mobile device, which features a smaller screen.
Thus, it's essential to break text into digestible segments.
Utilizing subheadings and short paragraphs helps avoid overwhelming the reader with dense blocks of text.
The video "Writing is designing: Use words to build better experiences" demonstrates how thoughtful writing can enhance user experiences.
Section 2.1: Keeping the Reader at the Center
While I share my experiences, it’s not merely for self-promotion.
My focus is on you—my reader.
I aim to relay relatable insights from my journey to empower you in your writing endeavors.
Your needs guide my writing process, ensuring that the content is beneficial and engaging.
Feedback and Iteration
As a designer, my work is cyclical.
I create content, consider its intended audience, format it for readability, and ensure it is simple to grasp.
After this, I test it.
I analyze feedback or research findings, generating hypotheses—testable ideas aimed at enhancing the content.
From there, I create revised versions based on the best hypotheses, known as "iteration," and retest until I confirm the issue is resolved.
I've already revised several Medium articles, particularly those that underperformed, making adjustments to titles and text.
If you review my articles from when I started publishing in March to the present, you’ll notice significant evolution.
Each article should build upon the previous one, though not every piece will outperform the last.
Earnings do not equate to quality, but the adjustments made during iteration should address previously identified issues or test new ideas.
The second video "Design Writing 101: Becoming a Design Writer" provides foundational insights into the intersection of writing and design.
Conclusion: Collaborative Growth
I hope these insights prove helpful! If you’re already applying them, that’s fantastic.
If not, I’d love to hear which strategies resonate with you or any additional tips you might have.
Thank you for taking the time to read!
Let’s connect and support each other in enhancing our writing skills.
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