UX Bookclub KW Shake up
We tried 2 new things, and here’s how it turned out.
It started with one of those design newsletters. You know, the kind that round up a bunch of articles on edgy design topics to add to the ever growing list of articles you already don’t have time to read. On that day, one of the articles actually got read. It was about how designers need to stop asking copy writers to punch up their work, and it struck a chord.
How many times had we not given proper thought to the words that go on an interface? How often had we treated copy the way organizations have treated UX for years — like something who’s only value is in showing up at the end of a release? Now, this was a topic worthy of sharing and discussing!
But wait — we’re a book club not an article club. Aren’t we?
Well…we suspected that on any given month, committing to reading a book could be daunting (not to mention expensive, if it’s not a topic in which you’re particularly interested), and therefore might deter folks from coming out. So, the first new thing we introduced was to go with an article series in place of a book. (You can find the full reading set here).
Less talk. More do.
Next was to prep the discussion. Every time a new point or copy writing tip came up, we kept wanting to try it out. How might Flesch’s readability tables impact instructional text? How could a mobile-first approach improve copy? All signs kept pointing to hands-on learning…so we ran with it! Instead of just planning for discussion, we put together a quick workshop activity. After a short article review, attendees broke out into groups to replace the text on a fictional To-Do app with more targeted copy.
So, how did it turn out?
We had a few indicators to suggest this kind of format should be repeated. Registrations filled up faster than past months, and the number of RSVPs was the largest we’ve ever had, too. We also received a number of comments after the session showing support for the workshop, in particular.
Super fun! We’re excited to try this kind of approach again, and encouraged to keep trying new things. While our core tenants will always be reading, eating and small groups, we will continue to try out new ways of engaging.
