This week we looked at content strategy and took a closer look at user personas.
This week we spent time talking about appropriate content and what that really means in a design context. Appropriate content is content that supports the user in achieving their goal. It’s not just about avoiding the wrong tone but about choosing the right one. In a way, appropriateness becomes a measure of usefulness. If something doesn’t move the user forward, simplify their experience, or help them better understand what they’re doing, then it probably doesn’t belong there. I think that’s a helpful mindset to have, especially when working on products that require sensitivity or accessibility.
We also looked at clarity and how important it is for good content. It sounds obvious, but clear content is so much harder to create than complicated writing. There’s nowhere to hide when you try to be clear, you have to know exactly what you’re trying to say. I’m noticing more how clarity plays a huge role in trust. If users understand something instantly, they feel supported and confident. If they don’t, frustration begins before they even interact with the actual design. I really want to get better at writing in a way that feels simple without being dull. That’s where strong content stands out.
We also talked about content strategy, which I’m realising is much more than planning what text goes where. It’s a balance between what the user needs and what the business needs, and finding harmony between the two. Content audits came up too, reviewing everything a product has, looking for gaps or overlaps, and making decisions about what remains. The process of inventory, assessment, action makes a lot of sense. It made me appreciate how intentional great content design has to be. It’s not about filling space but about building meaning and removing noise. I think content strategy feels a bit like invisible architecture, when it’s done well, users don’t see it, but they feel it.
We revisited user personas again and I feel like I’m starting to understand their purpose on a deeper level. The reminder that you can’t design for everyone sounds restrictive but it’s freeing in a way. Narrowing down the audience creates more clarity and stronger decisions. Personas emerge from patterns and real conversations, not assumptions, and I think that’s what makes them valuable. They help humanise design choices and stop you from drifting into generic territory. Sharing and using these personas feels like creating a shared lens for the entire project team, everyone sees the user the same way, which makes collaboration easier and more aligned.
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This week reinforced how much design relies on communication. Words, tone, flow, clarity, they all shape the experience just as much as layout and visuals do. I’m starting to realise that good content isn’t decoration or filler, it’s the foundation. When content works, the whole design feels effortless. When it doesn’t, everything falls apart quickly. I can see myself leaning more into content-focused thinking because it feels like such a powerful part of crafting meaningful experiences. It’s nice to continue adding layers to how I think about the user, not just who they are, but how they read, interpret and feel.
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