Enhancing UX with Smarter Info Tips
I’ve been mulling over Kate Kaplan’s insights on info tips (read more here) – a topic that’s been buzzing in our inboxes recently. Honestly, it struck me how many times we designers overlook the subtle difference between icons like “i” for general info and “?” for help. It’s all about adding meaningful detail without bombarding users with obvious or redundant information.
Kate highlights that info tips should add value, not merely fill space, so why disrupt someone’s task flow with overlays or intrusive pop-ups? As someone who’s often knee-deep in crafting user journeys, I completely agree. Let’s face it – every extra click counts. Streamlining these little nuggets of help is a small tweak that can make a huge difference in the overall experience.
This really got me thinking about how we often default to providing more info than necessary. The takeaway? Always question, “Is this really adding value?” before introducing another info tip in your design.
Leveraging User Panels for Authentic Insights
Another solid piece that landed in my inbox was Lola Famulegun’s “User Panels 101” (read the full article). User panels are becoming essential for gathering authentic feedback without the hassle of extensive recruitment.
The concept is simple yet powerful: gather a curated group of your actual users and tap into their experiences for more genuine research insights. Lola outlines practical steps, like organizing, segmenting, and reengaging participants, which really resonated with my approach to user research. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the best data comes from those already invested in your product.
For any design professional or entrepreneur looking to streamline their research process, embracing user panels could be a game-changer. Trust me, using your existing community can save time and yield richer, more contextual insights.
GenAI’s Role in Streamlining Content Design
On the tech frontier, Taylor Dykes’ video on “4 Things GenAI Needs for Better Content Design” (watch it here) opened my eyes to how AI is gradually reshaping digital product design. With content needing to cater to users’ scanning habits, it became clear that product-specific GenAI tools should adopt digital writing practices that complement our UX designs.
The video makes an excellent case for integrating GenAI into our workflows – not to replace the subtle art of storytelling, but to support it. Tools like these could soon offer personalised content layouts, making our designs not only visually appealing but also more intuitively user-friendly.
It’s an exciting time to be in design; blending human insight with AI efficiency might just be the perfect recipe for the next wave of digital product innovation. So, what do you think? Ready to take these insights for a spin in your next project?