Writing for Interaction: Crafting the Information Experience for Web and Software Apps

by Linda Newman Lior

Overview

Writing for Interaction focuses on the art of creating the information experience as it appears within software and web applications, specifically in the form of user interface text. It also provides strategies for ensuring a consistent, positive information experience across a variety of delivery mechanisms, such as online help and social media.

Throughout this book, you'll learn simple techniques for writing consistent text with the right tone, how to select content delivery mechanisms, and how straightforward, clear layouts help your customer interact with your application. Divided into five sections, the book completely covers the information experience design process from beginning to end. You'll cover everything from understanding your users and their needs, to creating personas, designing the IX strategy, creating your information, and evaluating the resulting information experience. This is your one-stop reference for information experience!

• Illuminates writing principles and practices for use in interactive design
• Includes examples, checklists, and sample processes, highlighting practical approaches to designing the information experience
• Provides the complete picture: understanding customer needs, creating personas, and writing the text appearing within the user interface

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780123948441
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	02/26/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	292
File size:	10 MB

About the Author

Linda Newman Lior has been working in software design and development for over 20 years in the field of information design. Her experience includes instructional design for educational software programs and computer based training, information design for start-up companies, and 10 years at Microsoft as a usability engineer, information experience designer and technical writer. She is currently focusing on information experience design and writing for SaaS web applications. She studied Instructional Design and Computers in Education at San Diego State University where she earned her MA in Educational Technology.

Table of Contents

Section 1: Introducing the Information ExperienceChapter 1. What is the information experience? Chapter 2. Design and development models

Section 2: Understanding your users and their information needsChapter 3. Getting to know your usersChapter 4. Gathering data about your usersChapter 5. Creating Your Personas

Section 3: Designing your IX StrategyChapter 6. Understanding User Reading PatternsChapter 7. Applying Usability PrinciplesChapter 8. Creating Style Guidelines

Section 4: Creating the information experienceChapter 9. Designing your Information StrategyChapter 10. Writing the User Interface TextChapter 11. Writing for Diverse Audiences

Section 5: EvaluationChapter 12. Evaluating the IX Experience

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Learn the skills, processes, and writing principles for creating an information experience that guides your customers, helping them successfully interact with and use your application.

Editorial Reviews

"Here [Lior] explains how to design and create the content that customers rely on to interact with a software application successfully — such as the labels on virtual buttons to click, or step-by-step instructions displayed on pages. The information would be useful for technical writers and instructional designers, or whoever on the development team is responsible for writing, editing, or reviewing the user interface text." —Reference & Research Book News, October 2013

From the Publisher