Words matter during times of uncertainty
By: Allison Biesboer
Tags: Ux Writing, UX Design, Content Design, Object Oriented, Design

When practicing object-oriented UX, a designer must first define the objects and content first before prototyping an experience. This comes before setting up actions, creating wireframes, coding, or anything else.

It works something like this. Start by brainstorming the real objects that exist in a physical space. Write the object names on sticky notes. You can then organize them into how they might relate to each other in real life. This may help determine how they might be nested in a hierarchy and start to inform how they are arranged on an interface.

Then, expand on each object by creating content items and meta information that might pertain to the objects. The aim is to arrange objects in digital space so that the relationships between them are easier to identify — unconscious even — and mesh with the user’s preexisting mental model. For visual reference and a deeper explanation on how it’s done, head to Sophia’s well-visited article on A List Apart.

Being object-oriented also means writing the copy for your site in terms of the relationships between those objects. This should also be the rule of any content that is authored to the world in a more rapid and temporary fashion. The quality of painstaking editing and accuracy is sadly, often traded for speed and lack of research on the internet. Clarity is often altogether ignored.

We are all content publishers

We are all publishers, because we all have the capacity to create profiles and submit content on dynamic social media mega sites. I’ll admit that sometimes I find our modern digital social media and publication landscape to be a bit of a dumpster fire of disreputable or fake information. It’s vital to choose the publications where you consume information and post information wisely. Keeping a critical eye on what is out there is essential because misinformation spreads easily. It’s always in our best interest to evaluate the author and the source before consuming content.

Of course, it can also be a blessing to have the ability to post so quickly. I’ve seen sites like Twitter create update sections with short news links from sources like the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Our connected technology and networks can and should be used in a beneficial way to enact quickly and provide aid to others.

Constructing clear object-oriented language

Communication helps us to cope both physically and psychologically in times of duress. Constructing clear, concise, object-oriented language in the active voice should be the vehicle for delivering accurate information. Being object-oriented in everyday language calls for using descriptive objects in your language rather than abstracted metaphor. Calls to action — instructive language that can prompt action or behavior — can also become useful for enabling others to take swift action.

Unclear language vs. clear language

Consider the phrase “shelter in place.” This phrase is meaningless to a lot of people. It refers to a specific mandate or law encouraging citizens to seek shelter in their own home or dwelling (as opposed to evacuation mandates which encourage finding emergency shelters). This could be new terminology for those outside of state law enforcement or epidemiology.

Instead, it would be prudent to use more practical language, referring to familiar objects like “home.” Use objects to explain unfamiliar terms. For example, “shelter-in-place mandates implore citizens to stay at home and work from home, and to leave their homes only for essential items like food and medical treatment.” Take note of the abundant objects that help to paint this scenario in describing the term we seldom use; home, essential items, food, and medical treatment.

Source: Corona Stay Home by INTO ACT!ON on Giphy.com

Social distancing — what even is that? The CDC explains that an infected person that coughs or sneezes can spread respiratory droplets within 6 feet. Using plain language which asks people to stay at least 6 feet apart should work better for everyone than having to learn a new term.

And lastly, “adjust your daily habits” is so vague. What exactly are the habits we need to be aware of and change? Well, stay at home for one. And work from home — if you’re able to. Wash your hands often and try not to touch your face. Most states in the U.S. also prohibit gatherings of more than 10 people, however you should check your local city or state government site for any official mandates (as it is the trusted source on local laws).

Source: Health Hands by Joan Kamberaj on Giphy.com

Closing thoughts

Words have the power to save lives during global pandemics. It is especially crucial to choose the words we use wisely during this time. As human beings with empathy and thoughtfulness in mind, it should be our duty to ensure the advice we give and the resources we share are reputable and trustworthy. The words we present to the world should be clear, accurate, and descriptive. They should refer to the objects in our everyday world, with practical calls to action. With very much love, please take care of yourselves during this sensitive time.