Artificial intelligence, specifically language models such as ChatGPT, has the potential to revolutionize the way in which user experience (UX) designers conduct research, design interfaces, and write microcopy.
Spoiler Alert: This was written by chatGPT and the accompanying image was created by Stable Diffusion. AI is finally starting to make things weird.
User Research
First, let’s discuss how AI can aid in research. One of the most time-consuming tasks for UX designers is user research. This includes conducting surveys, interviews, and focus groups to gain insight into how users interact with a product or service.
AI, such as ChatGPT, can assist in this process by simulating user interactions and providing valuable data on how users might respond to different design options. This can save time and resources for the designer, as well as provide more accurate data than traditional methods. Additionally, ChatGPT can assist in analyzing large amounts of data from research, making it easier for designers to identify patterns and insights.
Interface Design
Next, let’s consider how AI can aid in interface design. One of the most important tasks for UX designers is creating interfaces that are intuitive and easy to use for users. ChatGPT can assist in this process by providing suggestions for interface elements and layout based on a provided prompt or context.
For example, a designer can provide ChatGPT with information about the desired functionality of a website or app and the target audience, and ChatGPT can generate several options for the designer to choose from. Additionally, ChatGPT can assist in testing and evaluating different interface designs by simulating user interactions and providing feedback on usability.
Microcopy
Finally, let’s discuss how AI can aid in writing microcopy. Microcopy refers to the small bits of text that provide crucial information and guidance to users in interfaces such as websites and apps. These include labels, button text, error messages, and tooltips. Writing effective microcopy can be a challenging task for UX designers, as it requires a deep understanding of the user’s needs and goals. ChatGPT can assist in this process by providing suggestions for microcopy based on a provided prompt or context. For example, a designer can provide ChatGPT with information about the desired tone and message of a label, and ChatGPT can generate several options for the designer to choose from. Additionally, ChatGPT can assist in providing accurate translations of microcopy for internationalization.
“Conclusion”
In conclusion, AI, specifically language models like ChatGPT, have the potential to greatly assist UX designers in their tasks. By providing valuable data and insights from user research, suggesting interface elements and layout, and providing suggestions for microcopy, AI can help designers save time and resources while also improving the overall user experience. As AI technology continues to advance, it is likely that its role in UX design will become even more prominent. "
My Quick Take
What you just read was created with ChatGPT in about 10 minutes on a Saturday morning before I even started drinking my first cup of coffee.
Is it amazing? Not exactly, but it’s enough of an outline that I could take this an expand it out into something a bit more value. It actually reads like something I would have written in middle school. I literally put in a single prompt to chatGPT and this was what it output on the first attempt. I could have massaged it for multiple iterations, but that’s not the point here.
What chatGPT pulled out of the ether was several areas that it could have the potential to help — places I hadn’t even considered and I’ve started down a rabit hole here…
“Hey chatGPT, how should a modal window inform the user that the information that they are entering won’t be saved unless they have reviewed the terms of service”…
A modal window should inform the user that their information will not be saved unless they have reviewed and accepted the terms of service by displaying a clear message, such as “Please review and accept our terms of service before submitting your information. Your information will not be saved unless you accept the terms of service.”
This message should be prominently displayed in the modal window and should be clearly visible to the user before they enter any information.
Additionally, a checkbox or button that the user must click to indicate that they have reviewed and accept the terms of service should be included in the modal window.
What should the text of the button be?
The text of the button indicating acceptance of the terms of service should be clear and action-oriented, such as “I Accept” or “Accept Terms of Service”. It’s important that the button text makes it clear to the user that they are agreeing to the terms of service and that their information will be saved when they click the button. Additionally, it would be good practice to mention the name of the service or the company as part of the button text, such as “Accept XYZ Service’s Terms of Service” to make it clear what they are accepting.
I think some of my design documentation is starting to write itself with this… and we all know how fun it is to write design documentation.
I can’t wait to keep chatGPT close and hand and see how it might start to help me in my work. Maybe I’ll keep you all posted.
AI is finally getting weird
Artificial Intelligence has been this looming concept for longer than I’ve been alive. It does seem that in just the last few years, with a lot of talk about AI generated art and how ChatGPT is going to impact industries, it is actually starting to make an impact on us. I’m sure it was before, but it just seems much more time-of-mind now (aka making it to the front page of reddit).
Any UX designers or researchers delving into this yet?
Have any of you put ChatGPT to good use or even thought about how it might actually affect UX designers, researchers or writers? I’d love to hear a humans though on this.