As designers, we're trained to communicate visually, but strong writing skills can be just as impactful when it comes to communicating ideas and processes. Whether it's explaining our ideas to clients, articulating our design process, or writing hand-off documents for development—how we write can make or break our designs. Here are some practical tips to help you improve your writing and make it a natural extension of your design process.
Practical Tips for Designers
- As you start a new feature in Figma, open a Notion page or Google Doc to jot down your thoughts. Notes like “Tried placing the search in the header, but it clashed with other elements” can be a lifesaver when revisiting decisions. Don't worry about neatness or grammar—just get your thoughts down.
- Your rough notes are more than just scribbles—they're the foundation of a solid design document. These will help you tie ideas together down the road. (Check out my other post on turning notes into design documents!)
- Got feedback from a product demo? Sum it up. It's not just a reference for you; sharing it with stakeholders ensures you're all on the same page.
- Keep a notepad by your side too. Sometimes, switching to pen and paper sparks different ideas.
- Once a project wraps up, take the time to write a case study. It's a great way to reflect on your design process, decisions, and what you might do differently next time. Articulating an entire project in words? That's a big deal.
- Writing doesn't come naturally to everyone, but like any skill, it improves with practice. Remember your first fumble with Photoshop compared to the Figma masterpieces you create now?
- Always have your audience in mind when you're writing something that you'll share. This helps you decide how deep you need to go into specific topics.
- Don't shy away from feedback on your writing. Other perspectives can be incredibly enlightening!