From Pixels to Paragraphs: Why every designer should learn how to write effective copy.
When it comes to effective design, our focus often centers on creating visually captivating and user-friendly experiences. But what about the words that accompany these designs? In this post, I’ll explore the often-overlooked world of copywriting for designers.
We sometimes forget that design involves a lot of writing too. Think about it. We craft product copy, marketing messages, landing page content, email narratives, and explanations for our design choices. We prepare presentations and create content for a variety of platforms.
So as designers, we can greatly benefit from learning the art of copywriting, as it enhances our ability to communicate effectively, collaborate seamlessly, maintain creative control over projects, ensure consistency in design and messaging, save time and resources, become more self-reliant, create user-friendly experiences, improve versatility, and even engage in entrepreneurship if desired. Beyond professional advantages, it fosters personal growth and creativity, making it a valuable addition to a designer’s skill set.
As you can see, there’s a ton of benefits to improve our writing as a designer. So how can we improve our copywriting skills to make our written communication more effective?
First of all, practice regularely. Just like honing your design skills, practice makes perfect. Don’t use placeholder text like Lorem Ipsum; challenge yourself to write and refine your copy regularly. You’ll notice that you’ll become less and less dependent on others and your first drafts will become better.
Secondly, make sure to put effort into learning how to keep a consistent tone of voice. Your copy should reflect a consistent tone of voice across all your communications. Users should feel like they’re conversing with a person, not a faceless company. This also involves understanding basic style and grammar rules to maintain professionalism and clarity in your writing. Always (let someone else) proofread your copy.
Copywriting is powerful when it prompts action. Whether it’s encouraging someone to continue reading, make a purchase, or engage with your content, effective copywriting is actionable. As designers, our role is to create experiences, and copy should enhance that experience, not hinder it.
Another, often overlooked way to improve our copy as designers, is to tailor our writing. Identify your audience and tailor your message accordingly. Different users may require varying tones and language, so consider their context and needs. Make sure tho, that you don’t over explain. Make every word count. As in design, less is often more. Focus on succinct and engaging copy that conveys the essence of your message in as few words as possible. If the copy is not contributing to your main point or goal, consider leaving it out. Especially in product copy.
As a last pointer I quickly want to touch on AI tools. AI tools like ChatGPT can help you brainstorm ideas, improve grammar, and offer suggestions. However, use these tools to enhance your writing, not replace it entirely. You are the storyteller, let the AI help you to get the most out of the story, not to define it.
In short, when you’re about to let go of your placeholder content and want to dive into the world of copywriting, make sure to focus on the benefit, make it personal, and promote action. Effective copywriting engages the reader and leads them seamlessly through the desired journey. Tailoring your writing to the audience’s context and needs is essential.
To master the art of copywriting, remember that it’s not just about reading extensively but being mindful of the copy you encounter throughout the design process. If you experiment with different copywriting styles in your projects, consider sharing your work with the 10x community for feedback. We’re here to support your growth as a designer.
This piece is just an introduction. I’m dedicating most of my time to fostering the growth of more 10x designers. If this concept intrigues you or you’re inspired to become a 10x designer, follow this publication and dive into the resources linked below!
