Unconventional Do's and Don’ts of UX Storytelling
Pushing boundaries in user experience narratives
UX storytelling is like mixing classic recipes with new spices.
If you want to stand out, sometimes you need to try a different route.
Let's jump into some unconventional storytelling do’s and don’ts - highlighted by examples for clarity.
👍 The Dos of UX Storytelling:
1. Explore Non-linear Narratives
Multiple Story Arcs: Design for the zig-zags, loops, and detours.
Example: In a fitness app, users might jump between diet tracking, workout sessions, and meditation without a set sequence.
Layered Information: Allow users to delve deeper.
Example: An e-commerce site can offer a basic product overview, with optional links to detailed specifications or video demos.
2. Integrate Data Differently
Visual Metaphors: Turn data into a visual story.
Example: A productivity app uses a garden illustration, where flowers bloom or wither based on a user's task completion.
Sonify Data: Make data audible.
Example: In a meditation app, as user consistency improves, the background score becomes harmoniously richer.
3. Embrace Abstract Representation
User’s Emotional Journey: Map emotions, not just actions.
Example: A banking app uses color gradients, moving from cool to warm, based on user’s financial health.
Symbols and Allegories: Use symbolic representations.
Example: A cloud storage service uses a virtual "lake" that fills up or dries based on available space.
4. Play with Medium and Format
Physical Storyboarding: Use tangible spaces.
Example: In brainstorming sessions, use a room setup where furniture placement represents different stages of a user's journey.
Interactive Storytelling: Engage the user actively.
Example: An educational platform allows users to pick avatars and journey paths, influencing the content they interact with.
👎 The Don’ts of UX Storytelling:
1. Oversimplify the user
Avoid stereotypes: Embrace the spectrum of user backgrounds.
Example: Don’t assume all seniors are technophobic; some might be more tech-savvy than millennials.
Respect complexities: Recognize dynamic user profiles.
Example: In a travel app, don't peg users as just "tourists" or "locals". Many reside in the gray area, like expats or long-term travelers.
2. Limit yourself to the familiar
Go Beyond Western Narratives: Embrace global storytelling elements.
Example: For a global product launch, use story structures from African, Asian, or South American folklore.
Challenge Conventions: Evaluate the real worth of trends.
Example: Just because dark mode is trending doesn't mean it’s ideal for a wellness app focused on reducing screen time.
3. Underestimate environmental storytelling
Beyond the screen: Remember the broader context.
Example: An app might be used in a noisy train station or a quiet library; how does this shift in ambiance affect interactions?
Augmented realities: Understand how digital blends with physical.
Example: For a museum app, how do AR elements enhance a user's experience without detracting from the real artifacts?
4. Neglect the power of silence
Let users fill the caps: Empower users to craft part of the story.
Example: A storyline in a game where certain plot points are deliberately vague, letting players craft theories.
Whitespace is vital: Use it strategically.
Example: In a news app, instead of bombarding users with headlines, use ample whitespace to emphasize top stories.
Storytelling never stands still..
Let's design experiences that not only stick, but also spark real excitement!
—Marina
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