Turn Your User Into
The Hero Of Your Story
My content and UX design strategy is centered around narrative and storytelling.
Whether you're working on an app, a website, new software, a pitch deck, or anything else, wouldn't you love to have the sort of product that becomes a life-changing adventure for your users?
UX Philosophy #1: Give The User Agency
Especially when dealing with sensitive topics, there is power behind giving the user agency over what assumptions an app makes about their needs and the content they'd like to see.
While working on this prototype of the (hopefully upcoming) Queeriod app, the one thing I kept hearing over and over again from users was that they wanted more control.
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My process:
1. Interview potential users.
2. Analyze all the stuff I learned.
3. Ask myself: what's the absolute simplest version of this that gives users what they need?
4. Make that.
5. Show it to users and see what they think.
5. Refine.
UX Philosophy #2: Address The User's Internal And External Obstacles
Sometimes users need to be told that yes, you do understand what they are dealing with and yes, you've taken that into consideration when making this app for them.
In my own personal project, a website called Depressipie that has user-submitted depression meals, I don't play coy with the fact that depression is THE WORST, and that feeding yourself when you're depressed is also THE WORST.
But awful things are easier when you have support.
UX Philosophy #3: Speak To The User, Not At Them.
No one likes to be spoken about like they aren't there. Know who you're addressing (hint: it's your users) and speak directly to them in a way that makes sense and engages them.
This is your chance to really make them feel like a hero you're here to support and guide through their epic adventure. Be the Gandalf to their Frodo, the Obi-Wan to their Luke, or the Timon and Pumba to their Simba.
I used this philosophy to help freshen up a company's manifesto while working on a tone and style guide consulting project.
Branding
Polish your pitch deck.
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Refresh your brand identity.
Snag a new slogan.
How you describe your product and brand internally can revolutionize your relationship with your users.
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Consulting
Nerd out about strategy.
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Get feedback on current projects.
Refresh existing copy.
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Uncover areas to improve.
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No matter which challenge you're facing or what stage of a project you're in, my brain is yours to pick.
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