UX Writing Challenge

A series of UX writing exercises for 15 days
 

I started this challenge to practice copywriting skills and learn about the UX writing field. During those 15 days, I allocated 10-15 minutes to write for various scenarios and prompts which would then be shared to the challenge’s Facebook group for feedback. Overall, this experience has helped me grasp a better understanding of UX writing by practising with various constraints and feedback from the generous community.

COMPLETE WORK
 
DAY 1
Flight cancelled due to bad weather.

Worry not, we have booked you for the next available flight. In the meantime, you can stay at a nearby hotel we have reserved for you.

Buttons:
Flight details | Hotel direction

Scenario: A traveller is in an airport waiting for the last leg of a flight home when their flight gets abruptly cancelled due to bad weather.
Challenge: Write a message from the airline app notifying them of the cancellation and what they need to do next.
Headline: 40 characters max
Body: 100 characters max
Button(s): 25 characters max

 
 
DAY 2
Relive the experience of attending a game.

Receive real-time score updates, game reminders and highlight videos of your favourite team anywhere.

Button:
Download

Scenario: A user is a working parent, and a big sports fan, in the midst of their favourite sports season who can no longer attend games.
Challenge: Write a promotional screen for an app that lets a user choose teams, sends game reminders, real-time score updates and highlight videos.
Headline: 40 characters max
Body: 175 characters max
Button(s): 25 characters max

 
 
DAY 3
Oops, wrong email? Please try again.

Scenario: The user entered the wrong email address to sign in to their account.
Challenge: Tell the user to enter the right email.
Headline: 40 characters max

 
 
DAY 4
Supermarket at your door

Let us do the heavy lifting and bring your groceries to you once a month for [insert amount].

Button:
View offer

Scenario: A user is in their favourite supermarket. They open the supermarket's app on their phone to see what's on sale and are greeted by a promotion.
Challenge: Write a promotional home screen for a subscription service that delivers groceries to the user once-a-month for a flat fee.
Headline: 45 characters max
Body: 175 characters max
Button(s): 25 characters max

 
 
DAY 5
Unsaved work available

We have automatically saved your most recent work before our app crashed. Would you like to continue where you left off?

Buttons:
Continue | No thanks

Scenario: The user works in graphic design. While critiquing a design in a mobile app, their phone abruptly turns off. When they restart the phone, they reopen the app.
Challenge: Write a message that the user will read immediately upon opening the app. What do they need to know? What steps (if any) do they need to take to recover their content? What if they can't recover the content?
Headline: 40 characters max
Body: 140 characters max
Button(s): 20 characters max

 
 
DAY 6
Caution! Fire blocking M40.

Please consider rerouting for your safety.

Scenario: It's Monday. A user has just gotten into their car to drive to work. They plug their phone into the car and start driving.
Challenge: How would you let the user know there's a fire happening in a nearby town that is causing road closures? The effect on their commute is unknown, but there is a definite danger if the fire gets closer. How do you communicate this to them? When? Write it.
Headline: 30 characters max
Body: 45 characters max

 
 
DAY 7
Ravens 35–43 Patriots

A blast by James White for a touchdown!

Scenario: A sports fan is at a wedding while his team is playing their arch-rivals. His team makes a touchdown.
Challenge: How would you, quickly, let the sports fan know about the latest play, the current score, and the key players? Write it.
Headline: 30 characters max
Body: 45 characters max

 
 
DAY 8
BTS coming near you!

Don't miss this chance to see your oppas up close.

Button:
See details

Scenario: The user is a casual music fan and (on occasion) goes to live concerts. They have a music player app on their phone.
Challenge: Tell the user that one of their favourite bands is playing live in their town. How would you compel them to want to go?
Headline: 30 characters max
Body: 45 characters max
Button: 25 characters max

 
 
DAY 9
Expired credit card

Please update your card details to continue.

Scenario: The user is trying to rent a car using an application but the credit card they have on file has expired.
Challenge: Write them an error message so that they can correct the problem, and try not to be a jerk about it.
Headline: 30 characters max
Body: 45 characters max

 
 
DAY 10
Please enter your details for the best deals.

[First name]*
[Zip code]*

Button:
View deals

Scenario: The user is trying to view a website to help them buy a car. But, the content can't load without the user's location. They need to enter their ZIP code and first name.
Challenge: Ask them where they live and who they are without sounding like you're unnecessarily mining their data.
Body: 140 characters max
Button(s): 20 characters max

 
 
DAY 11
Get your contact lenses delivered every 30 days

Subscribe to our monthly delivery service where we bring your contact lenses to you. It's easy to set up and manage your subscription online.

Scenario: An elderly user is doing a Google search to find an easy way to buy contact lenses online.
Challenge: Write a title and meta description for a website that sells subscription contact lenses delivered to a user every 30 days - convince them to try it.
Title: 60 characters max
Meta description: 160 characters max

 
 
DAY 12
Sorry, please try alternative sign-up methods like Google or Facebook.

Scenario: A user is creating an account. When they come to the step where they are asked to enter their name, they get an error message. A fraud detection software thinks their name is fake - but it's wrong 5% of the time.
Challenge: Write an error message that prompts them to fix the error without shaming them for having a fake-sounding name.
Title: 45 characters max

 
 
DAY 13

6 items left

Delivery or Fuel?

Possible to finish with a risk of low fuel & miss lunch.

Buttons:
Finish delivery | Get fuel

Scenario: A short-haul truck driver has a phone app that monitors his route, schedule, fuel & deliveries. He has 6 more deliveries before stopping for fuel and lunch. Due to unexpected traffic, he's behind schedule. He can choose to stay on his planned route for a few more stops, but risk running low on fuel and missing lunch, or he can get fuel and lunch now and finish the deliveries later.
Challenge: Write a push notification alerting him of this dilemma and options.
Headline: 30 characters max
Body: 45 characters max
Button(s): 25 characters max

 
 
DAY 14
Unknown error

Sorry, something went wrong. While we are trying to resolve the issue, would you like to browse through our other items?

Buttons:
Yes | No, exit app

Scenario: A user is shopping using a price comparison app that boasts "REAL-TIME" pricing on items. As they are checking the price of an item, something goes wrong. The problem is unknown.
Challenge: Write a message that informs the user that they cannot access the app right now. You cannot specify "why" the app doesn't work, you also want them to continue using the app.
Headline: 30 characters max
Body: 120 characters max
Button(s): 15 characters max

 
 
DAY 15 - Final Challenge
Screen 1
CARLINE

Please enter your name and email to start finding great deals.
[Name] (Please type name again to confirm.)
[Email] (Please enter a valid e-mail.)

Button:
Register

Screen 2
Verify E-mail

Please click the link in the e-mail we sent for verification.

Button:
Resend link

Screen 3
Successfully verified.

We just need a few more details to personalize great deals for you.
[Phone Number] (Please enter valid phone number)
[Postcode]

Button:
Find address (Can't find postcode, please enter manually)

[Address line 1]
[City]

Button:
Save details

Challenge: Write a registration experience for a product for people who are shopping for cars online. The service helps registered users find the lowest price by contacting and comparing prices from three competing local dealerships. You can write as many screens as you feel is necessary to provide a compelling experience, but you must collect (in any order) all of the following information from users:
Home address or valid mailing address
Phone number
Valid email address (be sure to include a verification step)
Full name
Be sure to include unique error messages for incorrect entries for each screen.
Headline: 45 characters max
Body: 100 characters max
Button(s): 25 characters max
Time limit: 1 hour
Once you are done with your chosen challenge, include a short, one-paragraph explanation of your design decisions. Defend and rationalize your work.

Rationale: I split the registration process into three steps (screen) to allow the user to focus on a few things at a time. The first step was to receive their name and email which I believe is the bare minimum to get started. Similarly, I did not think phone number or home address was crucial at this point. The second screen simply asks the user to verify their email and allows them to resend the email if they didn't receive it. Finally, the third screen asks for the final pieces of information.

Throughout the screens, I tried to emphasize why they needed to give those details. As for the error messages, most of them are quite general except for Screen 1: Name. I simply asked them to re-enter their name in case the system picks it up as invalid and says it's wrong outright. So, maybe it's possible to double check from the user end to verify it is the correct one.