A Pocket Guide to the Craft of Words, Part 2: Microcopy

by Christopher Murphy, Nicklas Persson, Owen Gregory (Editor)

Almost every interaction you make, through a website or application, involves words. Words can help, words can hinder. They can ease a user on their journey or they can get in the way, causing frustration. Given their power, it’s no surprise to discover that companies like 37signals and MailChimp, to name but two, position words at the heart of their design process.

In this, the second part of The Craft of Words, The Standardistas explore the craft of words at a micro level, considering how microcopy can satisfy functional requirements by aiding and improving design interactions, enhancing interfaces for both function and delight, and helping users get things done.

Genres: Design

42 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 25, 2013

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Reviews

[Karen Mardahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Hmm. Second attempt to add a review. Moral: don't leave the page to do something else mid-review!)

This is a short-and-sweet easy read for all designers and technical communicators. Especially just after they have read Microinteractions. I will add this to my "recommend at work" list. I could share it with developers and tell them this is why they should leave the writing to the writers. I can also just share it with the other writers and have them train their developers. :)

I really like the concept of the Five Simple Steps books, too. It's like a "longread" in book form. Anyone can write a longread, but here, some reviewing has gone into the process so the vetting makes it a higher quality. At the cheap prices, it's a bargain and no excuse for not adding these to your bookshelf.

[Mateus Pinheiro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice book, but maybe too superficial. Worth reading, but does not keep up with the expectations raised by the previous one.

It scratches the surface of microcopy, and leave not much follow-up after you finish it.

[Alexander Debkaliuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good little piece of reading that will freshen up your respect for microcopy with some finely selected examples.

One sitting read that manages to get the point across and repeat it multiple times.

[Jason]

A short look at writing good microcopy: where to use it, when, and why. A quick read that will help you focus on an often overlooked, but important aspect of design.

[Lisa]

Short and sweet and useful. Best when paired with Part One.

[Trevan Hetzel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good high level overview of how the use of words in interfaces can make or break a good user experience.