UX Writing:
Power of Interviews and Research
I was terrified!
Truly terrified of transitioning from a storied journalist to the world of UX. However, the more I studied this new land of design, concise copy, and unbiased user interviews, the more I learned that the two industries have a lot more in common than meets the eye.
Hi, I'm Marc Griffin, and if you're here, that means you have been sent my portfolio or landed on it by the turn of the universe's will—either way, welcome!
As I have much more experience as a journalist than a UX writer, I wanted to demonstrate that, regardless, I have been executing as a UX Writer and Researcher this whole time. First, here are the similar methods the industries have in common:
Topic & User Research
Both journalism and UX share this process of gathering information and insights about specific subjects or themes relevant to the product's design or the development of an article. This research helps UX designers and journalists understand the context in which their product or article will be used or read, with hopes of meeting the standards of the user. Analyzing the market for data, user & reader needs, and behaviors, the context of use, and accessibility are just some research methods these two industries share.
Five W's
The classic answer to Who, What, When, Where, and Why?
Unbiased Interviews
Unbiased interviews are crucial for both industries to gather accurate insights, authentic perspectives from both user and audience/subject/writer, effective problem solving, inclusive storytelling, proper execution, and intention.
Tangible Deliverables
Show. Your. Work. This includes various artifacts used and or created during the design or journalist research process. These artifacts can include user maps, competitive analysis, information architecture, statistics, etc.
Here are some examples of UX Design thought implementation across journalism below
Project: Chart Beat for Billboard Magazine: Rema
Duration: 3 Months
For Billboard Magazine, I pitched a story focused on Nigerian afrobeats singer, Rema, and his soon-to-be No. 1 single, "Calm Down," featuring Selena Gomez.
Topic & User Research
Before the interview, I researched Rema and afrobeats, afro-rave, as Rema called his interpretation of it, to put the purpose of the interview in context. Through my research, I better understood the story I was trying to tell and why it was necessary to tell this particular story.
My research yielded information covering the afrobeats boom America was experiencing in 2023, the influx of Nigerians who have migrated to the United States, how that played a part in the genre's sudden popularity in our country, and how Rema's success benefitted from this.
Five W's
Unbiased User Interviews
I then interviewed Rema, speaking to him about his No. 1 single, the impact of afro-beats on American music, and how the influx of Nigerians into the United States has contributed to the genre's rise. The questions were unbiased and supported by statistics gathered from Spotify, Pew Research, Rolling Stone, and Luminate—which compiles metrics detailing trends in the music industry.
And voila! Here is the published version of the feature! This story also appeared in the print version of Billboard Magazine as well and became the site's top-performing stories for February and March.
Get to Know Us
So, if you're looking for your next UX Writer or Researcher with years of experience in writing, editing, research, interviews, and conducting said interviews with everyone from regular product users to international stars, look no further. Whatever you're looking for, I can strive to be. I love collaborating with teams and I'm forever hungry to learn new skills.
Thank you for your time.
