Parallels and polarities of writing: Artistic subtlety and subtle artistry
If you asked for one word to describe myself, I would call myself a writer.
Let me break it down. In my pastime, I indulge in creative writing, expressing myself through poetry. The mere sequence of uncovering, expanding, and conveying an idea is an intoxicatingly elaborate yet wholesomely rewarding process for me.
Career-wise, I am a UX writer, which I initially thought as simply another fancy way of saying copywriter. It was only after I dove headfirst into a deep research rabbit hole that I found myself to have been pleasantly mistaken. Like Alice emerging into Wonderland, what I discovered was a completely different side to writing unbeknownst to me all this time; with its own fundamental intricacies and mesmerizing mundanities.
These two fields, polarized in their expressive and communicative nature, will be the basis of today’s comparison.
I. Problem Solving and Purpose
Let’s start with a glaring difference, their essence, as well as a lesser pronounced likeness in their problem solving. In literature, a good writer spends most of their time ideating a story to express, but a great writer uses this time to conceptualize the best way to convey a story or message, to optimize expression.
Meanwhile, UX writing’s problem solving is often more outward and empathetic. This includes considerations such as how users will be affected, decipher, and respond to UX communication. Writers without a dedicated researcher in their team are even expected to conduct the research themselves; accumulating a sufficient understanding of users to tailor their UX copy accordingly, to optimize impact.
Take a look at this example.
This poem illustrates escapism, expressing desperation through a personification of the common escapist mediums (i.e. video games and social media). This figure of speech catalyzes an expression of unreciprocated transfixation and dependence akin to someone in love. It’s quite an oblique interpretation, yet I didn’t mind, as I believed this was the most appropriate way of expressing this meaning.
Next, observe the following.
This image shows the payment screen of the paylater feature DANA CICIL. One important section is the Bill Detail, where each periodical installment is visually conveyed such that users could easily discern the details of their loan. Moreover, the remaining copy is also crafted to supplement the transaction, accounting for every step of the payment process.
II. Storytelling
In both writing forms, you tell a story. Whereas in creative writing you often conceive this story yourself to befit the expressed meaning, the foundation is already set up for you in UX writing; it’s a matter of embodying this story.
Observe this poem.
It describes a story about the harsh realities and contradictions of growing up. Loosely inspired by one of my favorite literary works in Norwegian Wood, I adjusted several plot elements to harmonize with the theme. Additionally, conventional storytelling devices — such as chronology and conventional plot structure — were omitted in exchange for a more concise length and greater emotional impact. One technique used to elevate the story and establish ambiguity is contradiction, as illustrated below.
Next, pay attention to the following.
These interfaces are taken from DANA Goals, a savings feature. The overarching story in this product romanticizes your saving goals as chasing your dreams. Most of the copy present in the feature touches upon this comparison, making macrocopy more digestible and microcopy more flavorful.
III. Art and Subtlety
Finally, let’s talk about the title of the article.
Most people find contemporary literature to be more digestible than classical renditions, due to simpler words or sentences. This does not, in fact, signify the deterioration of the arts, rather an evolution of it. As an art form built on language, it’s only natural that the delicate, yet inevitable shifts in linguistic paradigm — caused by the progression of cultural zeitgeist — will also result in changes for creative writing.
Think about it: the strenuous and archaic language in classical literature were considered normal at the time of its composition. And as language becomes more simplified and colloquial over time, so has creative writing. This progressive adoption of unpretentious language shouldn’t necessarily diminish a literary work’s value as a piece of art, rather a development into something more subtle.
Check out the following poem.
One thing you might notice is its minimal usage of advanced or decorative words. This conscious stylistic decision ties in with the poem’s theme: to find beauty in mundanity and meaning in monotony. The artistic value is instead derived from its symbolic imagery, continuous narrative, and unconventional rhyme scheme that form a coherent message.
Meanwhile, UX writing twists subtle artistry into more of an artistic subtlety. UX copy doesn’t jump out the page like most literary prose does — it’s not meant to be that way. With the goal of seamless user guidance, the most effective UX copy are those that are least noticeable.
This subtlety that is prerequisite for UX copy is an art form in itself. Composing such inconspicuous yet comprehensible messages is a delicate process that requires deep understanding. How should the message be structured succinctly? How can users understand it upon first reading? How can they be motivated to do the things we expect them to do?
Take a look at this screen.
It depicts ProSehat Digital, DANA’s cashless health insurance product. The minimal and conversational UX copy is balanced by the visuals so as to not overwhelm users. What isn’t as noticeable, though, is the copy’s structural consistency with the top-down processing hierarchy — the deciphering of general ideas that get progressively specific, before inferring a final conclusion (a.k.a. deductive reasoning). Allow me to illustrate.
IV. Conclusions
UX writing and creative writing are fundamentally similar practices in their foundation of writing. But with contrasting approaches to achieve their differing purposes, some parallels and polarities naturally emerge. My UX writing proficiency has improved due to my creative writing background and vice versa. I believe that practitioners in each field may further their expertise by appreciating the fundamentals and standards that the other practice entails.
Thank you for reaching the end of this article, I hope you were able to learn a thing or two. I would like to extend my gratitude to Mas Cahyo & Maudy for proofreading this article, and Ko Gun for designing the illustration!
