Richard Sison

Interaction designer. Advocate for user experience. Dabbler in front-end code. Stickler for @goodmicrocopy.

[theperfectgrid]

Monika Majkowska

[typewolf]

Dropbox → Site of the Day for October 9, 2017

Fonts: Sharp Grotesk, Atlas Grotesk

[theperfectgrid]

Alexander Laguta

[richardsison]

Maintaining Momentum with Microcopy — Prototyping: From UX to Front End

The role of microcopy in user experience

I just wrote this article on microcopy and its role in user experience.

Microcopy is an often overlooked area of user experience but it's a topic I'm especially passionate about.

In my article I briefly cover what microcopy is and how it can be used to help guide users through a product's experience, something I refer to as maintaining momentum.

It's my first attempt at writing an article so I'd appreciate any feedback!

Hope you enjoy it and learn something in the process!

Cheers, Richard

[goodmicrocopy]

The search field on Bonds scrolls through some popular searches as placeholders .

Good microcopy gives you a starting point.

[goodmicrocopy]

When you unsubscribe to a set of emails from Twitter, the copy is clear and concise.

In addition to letting you know that you’ve unsubscribed successfully, the sentence that follows lets you know what will happen as a result (or won’t happen in this case).

They also provide some options on adjusting your settings in case you didn’t want to unsubscribe from everything.

Good microcopy provides feedback clearly (and gives you options).

[goodmicrocopy]

The Iconic follows a lot of the best practices for good microcopy throughout their products.

The Delivery and Returns section lets you know exactly what you’re in for when it comes to getting your items delivered. It clearly mentions when it will arrive (and when it needs to be ordered by).

Good microcopy is clear.

[goodmicrocopy]

With a hand-made product it’s understandable that the production time may take a little longer. In the case of Gitman that’s 3 weeks.

But with just a little bit of microcopy, you can set the expectation early on so customers aren’t left wondering (or chasing you for answers!).

Good microcopy sets expectations.

[goodmicrocopy]

In an ecommerce context, microcopy can be like a conversation with a passionate sales person — someone that really knows their subject matter. Like a passionate sales person, good microcopy demonstrates the care and attention to detail in the product.

Gitman does a great job of this by providing relevant copy about the quality of materials materials (and other meticulous details). Importantly, it doesn’t get in the way, but it’s there when you need it if you’re comparing one sample to the next.

Good microcopy is like a helpful sales person.

[goodmicrocopy]

The challenging thing about new technologies is the learning curve.

In the case of Siri (Apple’s iOS Assistant), new users just don’t know how to interact or what to ask.

Apple approaches this by providing specific examples of what you can ask. They even go deeper by providing app-specific questions to demonstrate the scope of what you can ask. This helps users understand how they can interact with this “interface-less” interface and the types of questions that can be asked and answered.

Good microcopy is educational.

[goodmicrocopy]

Good microcopy is one step ahead. You know that feeling when you sign up for a new service and your username is taken? Yeah, so does Tumblr. So what they do is give you a few examples to get you started. And they reassure you that you can always change it later (which is another large point of anxiety when signing up to a new service).

Source: Tumblr

[adteachings-deactivated20220125]

From 2011.

Advertising Agency: TBWA, Costa Rica Creative Director: Byron Balmaceda Art Director: Gabriela Soto Copywriter: Byron Balmaceda Illustrator: Gabriela Soto

Source: Ads of the World

[adteachings-deactivated20220125]

From 2011.

To attract pigeons, they put birdseed in the hat. Clever.

Agency: Lg2, Quebec City, Canada Creative Director / Copywriter: Luc Du Sault Art Director: Vincent Bernard Account Managers: Sandie Lafleur, Eve Boucher

Source: Ads of the World

[karenhurley]

Measles DM: Not immunising children puts all of us at risk

UV sensitive ink was used to make spots appear once the paper was exposed to light

Agency: Rethink, Vancouver, Canada Via

[nirtober]

[sweepmeup]

30 Park Place

[adteachings-deactivated20220125]

Lovely work from 2013.

Advertising Agency: TAXI, Vancouver, Canada Executive Creative Director: Kevin Barclay Creative Director / Copywriter: Matt Bielby Art Director: Tony Hird Designer: Andrew Passas Illustrator: Zara Picken Photographers: Chad Jones, Tony Hird Account Manager: Amber Foss

Source: Ads of the World

[weandthecolor]

Branding MockUp Showcase Generator

You can find more information on this branding showcase generator from Mockup Zone on WE AND THE COLOR or get it here.

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