Yes, I did it! The daily UX challenge. Subscribe here — https://dailyuxwriting.com/. It’s fun, quick and a great way to improve your UX writing skills. I documented my thinking process and possible solutions.
Day 6: How to use negativity to provide a positive user experience — a paradox
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.
Thinking
Without making the driver sway of the road. The headline expresses the danger ahead and sets the expectation of the road closure.
“Fire ahead causing road closure”
After the user is aware of the road closure and the cause. We now try to help the user find an alternative route
Solution
Fire ahead causing road closure
We are recalculating an alternative route for you.
Day 7: How to be present at a wedding on a big sport day
Scenario: A sports fan is at a wedding while his team is playing their arch-rivals. His team makes a touchdown.
Challenge: How would you, quickly, let the sports fan know about the latest play, the current score, and the key players? Write it.
Thinking
A quick update of the touchdown and player update the user while being short and informative.
“Touchdown — Tom Brady!”
The body gives a short overview of the score and time. All the vital information displayed upfront and short.
- Touchdown — checked
- Score — checked
- Time — checked
“Patriots lead 12–10 with 10 minutes left of the game.”
Solution
Touch down — Tom Brady!
Patriots lead 12–10 with 10 minutes left of the game.
Day 8: Promote live music in the era of iTunes
Scenario: The user is a casual music fan and (on occasion) goes to live concerts. They have a music player app on their phone.
Challenge: Tell the user that one of their favourite bands is playing live in their town. How would you compel them to want to go?
Thinking
First, we need to capture the user’s attention. With the first headline, we announce the live show of their favourite musician.
“Grab tickets for Pink’s Live show”
Now, we create a feeling of why this live show is a “special” event. Emphasising that this is Pink’s very first show in town they might be more open to buying tickets. The key would be to find a match between the user and the band/musician. If we can relate to the user there is a higher chance of the user buying tickets.
“Experience her very first live show at CPT Arena.”
The CTA button copy is consistent with an added emphasis to buy tickets now.
“Buy tickets early”
Solution
Grab tickets for Pink’s Live show
Experience her very first live show at CPT Arena.
BUY TICKETS
Day 9: How not to be a jerk about error messages
Scenario: The user is trying to rent a car using an application but the credit card they have on file has expired.
Challenge: Write them an error message so that they can correct the problem, and try not to be a jerk about it.
Thinking
As this is an existing customer we have older details for the credit card. If we detect that the credit card expired we prompt the user of the expiry and to update them.
“Sorry your credit card expired”
The body explains that the card details we have on file expired. We give the user the ability to update their details with a link and continue with their application.
“The credit card we have on file expired. Update card details.”
Solution
Sorry your details are out of date
The credit card we have on file expired. Update card details
Day 10: How to ask for information you need
Scenario: The user is trying to view a website to help them buy a car. But, the content can’t load without the user’s location. They need to enter their ZIP code and first name.
Challenge: Ask them where they live and who they are without sounding like you’re unnecessarily mining their data.
Thinking
First, we need to explain why the user needs to input their location and how that will help them find a car.
“We need to know where you are in order to find cars near you.”
Asking for the user’s name might be harder. We don’t want to come across promotional but to personalize their experience.
The user has the ability to input their ZIP Code manually or find location automatically. If the user is not in their current “home” state they should still be able to find cars in their area.
Fields: “Name + ZIP Code”
Button: “Access location”
Solution
We need to know where you are in order to find cars near you.
Fields: “Name + ZIP Code”
Button: ACCESS LOCATION
(Final part coming soon!)
