Andrew Astleford’s Post

Staying motivated in content design: 💪 What’s your approach? I took part in a UX Writing Hub event about breaking into content design and managing career transitions. We received more than 50 questions. 👀 Throughout the next several weeks, I’d like to answer the questions I didn’t address live. If you’re interested, you can view the full session: bit.ly/46pTt6T. *** Q: How do you stay motivated as a content designer? Can it get repetitive at times and what do you do when it gets repetitive? A: I don’t think “repetitive” is what comes to mind because I’ve worked on so many different things. But it’s possible to get too comfortable in a position. After a while, you may reach the ceiling of what’s possible within your job. There may or may not be an opportunity to be promoted. If not, you have a personal choice to make about whether you want to continue on your path. I stay motivated by observing my teammates and other coworkers. I try to take pieces of what I admire about them, whether it’s how they approach a specific part of the job, their communication skills, how they think about problems, etc. I feel like I have so much more room to grow. There will always be someone you can learn from, regardless of where you find yourself on your career journey. Maybe this is just me, but thinking about a career in that way instead of trying to earn a specific title or accomplish markers like they’re part of a checklist is helpful. That helps me stay motivated, and little about this development journey feels repetitive. (The attendee who wrote this question chose to be anonymous.) View the previous posts 👇 What prepared me for this career: bit.ly/3vbeBRx Selling transferable skills: bit.ly/41nxD34 How content design has changed: bit.ly/48k37tj Managing imposter syndrome: bit.ly/41hL4BM Stepping into a senior position: bit.ly/4a65gdK Positioning yourself to transition: bit.ly/3R2GKBx Defining UX writing: bit.ly/47BcWTJ Getting new portfolio examples: bit.ly/46uSaU8 Finding entry-level roles: bit.ly/47pEX0q Introduction: bit.ly/3sDKD7J #UXWriting #ContentDesign #ContentStrategy

Did somebody order 5,000 words on preparing for conversations about raises or promotions in a UX content role? Because I have that right here: https://lnkd.in/dgFAGzSi A big breakdown on vocabulary that I wish I'd had at the start of my career + 21 tips (and counting?) designed to help you get your ducks sorted before you start on the very important project of getting that money, honey! What tips would you add?

Thank you: 👏 I loved this. Thanks to the more than 170 people who attended my UX Writing Hub event about breaking into content design and managing career transitions. It was inspiring to see representation from throughout the world, and it was humbling to share a few lessons from my experiences. We received more than 50 questions. 👀 I was able to answer only a handful during our time together. I’ll try to address the other questions in the coming weeks as posts here. I was thinking about answering 2 questions at a time once a week for a while. I’ll make my responses a series. Does that sound OK? I’m open to thoughts if you have suggestions for tackling the remaining questions in a manageable way. Thanks again! #UXWriting #ContentDesign #ContentStrategy

👋 Hi, I'm Ashley and welcome to my world! 🔥 Passionate about creating impactful content and captivating storytelling, I strive to make a difference by connecting with people's emotions. Through the art of multimedia, I weave narratives that leave a lasting impact. ✨ I've discovered my superpower in the realm of storytelling, where I excel at crafting tales that resonate, inspire, and move audiences. By combining my expertise, value-driven mindset, and unwavering passion, I create content that captivates hearts and minds. 📚 Learning is my second career. I dedicate a significant amount of time to continuous growth and exploration, constantly seeking fresh insights and skills. My journey as a content creator has taken me across diverse industries, from Travel and Healthcare to Education, Psychology, F&B, and now Information Technology. This unique blend of knowledge allows me to delve into specialized areas and bring a fresh perspective to the table. 🌟 Now let's picture this: a literature-focused student magically transported into the world of logic and formulas - Information Technology. That's me! It all started when I stumbled upon the intriguing world of UI/UX. It satisfied my insatiable curiosity about the psychological dance between humans and computers. Understanding how users think, perceive, and behave when swiping and clicking has become my jam! Now, imagine me dancing through this ever-evolving IT landscape, like a funky digital chameleon. There's always something new to learn, share, and get excited about! 🚀 Digital Transformation, User Interface/User Experience, and Game Design are the three topics that fuel my passion and bring out my inner curiosity monster. So, if you're itching for thought-provoking discussions and mind-bending exchanges of ideas, hit me up! 🤝 Let's embark on an exhilarating journey together, where we can challenge conventions, inspire innovation, and create transformative experiences. The possibilities are limitless, and I can't wait to explore them with you! So, what are you waiting for? Let's connect and unleash the magic! #ContentCreation #Storytelling #UIUX #DigitalTransformation #Innovation #Inspiration #Connection

Keeping content consistent: 🔎 How does your team do it? In my most recent open chat, Jeremy Miller asked me how a content design team keeps content consistent, especially within a large company like Chewy. I’m rather new in my job. (I started in late March.) But I can give a general overview and offer a major takeaway: It helps to have multiple tools at your disposal—not only to guide members of your content design team in their day-to-day work, but also to benefit the entire design organization. We have a design system that includes content principles, a content style guide, and a word list to follow. We also have content guidance related to specific components. Those tools are available to anyone who’s part of our design team. We also hold 3 content office hours sessions each week. Those are opportunities for product designers to receive concentrated feedback on their projects. In addition, each content designer is embedded within a product area. We work on tasks related to our respective focuses in 2-week design sprints. Because we’re a small content design team—we have 6 individual contributors—we can’t touch everything. But we help where we can. Consultation and democratizing content creation is part of the position, too. How does your content design team maintain consistency? View the chat: rb.gy/ql4tv. #UXWriting #ContentDesign #ContentStrategy

Is it just me? Or does someone else feel this way too? Some developers are content when their code works, considering it a success. But for me, it's different. While I certainly want my code to function properly when building a product, I also place a lot of emphasis on the user experience. It's not just about making navigation easy; I strive to ensure that all users have a smooth and hassle-free experience. For example, instead of simply letting users know there's an error with a screen pop-up, I try to provide clear explanations of what went wrong and offer immediate assistance. If it's their mistake, I guide them on what they can do to rectify it. (With very concise texts, of course). I used to think this way even when I was a marketer. For the content, I always asked myself if it will educate or entertain my readers. Similarly, for ads, I always wanted to ensure that my target audience receives a clear message. I strongly recommend this mindset for everyone regardless of your profession. It is not just okay to get work done, you also have to be user-centric and ensure that they are getting the best experience. “How can I optimize the experience of my end users/customers?” Keep this question in mind every time. And that should be good work. Can you relate to this? Let me know how in the comments 😊 PC: Shutterstock #50daysofwritingwithpeculiar #day43of50daysofwriting #userexperience #mindset #work

There has been something on my mind lately that I want to share with you - the importance of being a skill chameleon. In the wise words of Peter Drucker, 'The only skill that will be important in the 21st century is the skill of learning new skills. Everything else will become obsolete over time.' Let's face it, our professions are a roller coaster - fast, thrilling, and sometimes scary. New technologies, trends, and challenges pop up like mushrooms after rain, and if you don't adapt, you become relics so fast. Whether you are a designer, creator, copywriter, or developer, keep adding skills to your bucket. And future-proof yourself. Here is what's on my learning wishlist: -Human psychology -Emotional Intelligence -Communication & presentation skills -Leadership skills -Marketing -Animation Diverse? Yes, but that's the secret to becoming successful in your profession - mixing diverse skills and becoming versatile. Share what's on your skill wishlist?" . . . . . . #UXDesign #uidesign #uidesigner #uiinspiration #uxdesignmastery #uxinspiration #userinterface #uxui #uxuidesign #userexperiencedesign #usercentereddesign #uxdesigner #uxstrategy #uxwriter #uxresearcher #uxtips #uxcommunity #uxprocess #uxcareer #uideveloper #uidesigner #creators #enterprenuership #graphicdesigner #startupbrandingtips #brandinginspiration #illustrator #adobeillustrator #adobephotoshop #uxdesigning #uxresearch #webdeveloper #webdesigner #websitedesign #uxstrategy #creativeagency #marketingstrategy #marketingagency #marketing101