Empowering Users Through UX Writing

User experience (UX) research can pinpoint when and where people struggle with software as varied as banking apps, online application forms, shopping sites, or even video games. Sometimes, it’s easy to develop and apply a technical solution to resolve these pain points. When it isn’t easy, or when trying to fix users’ issues would take too much time or cost too much money (or when the software is actually working as it should, despite what users think!), human-centred UX writing can teach users how to resolve their own issues and enhance brand loyalty. In this hands-on workshop, we will use real world examples to learn about the fundamental principles of UX writing and how to engage and empower users through well-crafted user interfaces, instructions, and error messages. You’ll also learn how central good writing is to UX design and problem solving and the importance of plain language in universal design.

Bruce Gillespie

Bruce Gillespie is an associate professor in the User Experience Design Program at Wilfrid Laurier University, where he creates and teaches courses about UX writing, human-centred design, digital media and journalism. He was named a Laurier Teaching Fellow in 2017 and is interested in designing hands-on learning activities that bridge theory and practice.