3 Easy Ways to Better UX (Without touching wireframes)

We’ve all heard how UX is more than ‘just wireframes’. In fact, the vast scope of everything that UX covers can even be overwhelming. As a UX Designer, you probably can’t control everything but — there are a few areas where a little thoughtfulness can go a long way.

Here are 3 action areas where small contributions can greatly improve your product’s experience.

UX Copy

Not all UX teams have dedicated UX writers, but that’s no excuse for cookie cutter UX copy. The way you talk to your users can really affect their mood and their mood can affect their perception of your product. Their perception, in turn affects their experience.
UX copy also offers you the opportunity to give your product a voice, an essential part of your product's personality. Another major contributor to UX and branding.

Here are some examples from our iOS app Math Hero. Math Hero is a homework helper for middle school, high school and college students — aka the Gen Z.

Visual design credits to our rockstar designer Murat Ak

To make our target users comfortable with our app, we tried to speak in a voice familiar to them. Our messaging style also communicates the Math Hero story. We were careful about writing UX copy that captured the right emotions while keeping in mind information hierarchy and making sure that the message of the CTA was clear.

Illustrations

Another area where a little thoughtfulness goes a long way, is choosing the right illustrations. We all know about the ‘clever illustrations’. The funny 404 pages and error messages. But that’s only one way of using illustrations thoughtfully.

UX designers often do not give much thought to illustrations because it is considered the domain of the Visual Designer. In our team, we approach illustrations collaboratively. We think about what information we are communicating, how much of it can be communicated well through text, and where a visual aid could help. We also think about the emotions the user may be feeling at the moment and whether that could play a part in our illustrations.

Illustration credits: Murat Ak

In this screen, we went with an illustration that show two heroes doing mathematics together. Along with the simple 'Welcome back Hero' text, we were able to communicate all the information we want the user to receive. And set the mood for what lies inside the app.

Outside the product

A user's experience of your product extends into the user's life. The user may be reminded of your product even when they are not actively using it. How do we ensure the user associates positive emotions with your product even when they are not using your product? The answer to this issue has two parts —

1. Take control of when the user is reminded of your product : In our case, we send well timed push notifications. It could also be physical reminders of your product.
2. Take control of how the user is reminded of your product: Essentially, your digital or physical reminder should be intentionally designed to communicate the right message in the right way.

Here's an example from Math Hero. We try to capitalize on the fresh start effect and send a push notification each Monday, encouraging users to start their week right.

So these are 3 really simple ways to fill in the gaps of your product's UX. Anything else you'd like to add to this list?

Planning on starting your own adventure to Math Heroism? Click here.