Work / UX Writing Case Study
Case Study on the Handshake App
This case study was completed as a final project for the UX Writing Fundamentals course by the UX Writer's Collective.
Background
Handshake is a fictional project management and payments app designed for freelancers and business owners.
- Business Owners use the app to pay freelancers and track the progress of hours worked (paying and tracking.
- Freelancers use the app to bill Business Owners and report progress on a paid project (billing and tracking)
- The app is “shared” by these two user types. Each of these users has a view of one side of the app: one uses it for billing and the other for paying.
- Freelancers are the main users. They report billable hours and request payment. Small Business Owners are the secondary users. They can approve hours and send payments to the freelancer.
Task
As the UX writer, I need to deliver the end-to-end UX writing process: research, analyzing the user personas, defining voice and tone, and finally, create the UI copy.
For this specific design output below, I was provided with a mockup for an upcoming review. I had to edit and update all the text in the mockup. I could add microcopy and tool tips as needed, but working within the confines of the current design. I could make some minimal changes to the design, but for bigger recommendations, I have to address them to the designer.
Feedback from Instructor
- You added much-needed, helpful information to complex situations. I loved your microcopy on the payment set-up screen and your idea to add a new message after a business owner reviews a budget—great work communicating all of the need-to-know info!
- Amazing initiative adding buttons to the sign in/create account screens, suggesting a new top navigation bar, and requesting enhancements to messaging. Continue to ask questions and make the app better for your users!
- Fantastic work keeping all of your headings aligned with the same content pattern!
1. Setup
Notes:
Notes:
- I suggest adding a Log in button or link to the 00 Welcome screen, for returning users.
- Design suggestion: It would be great to have separate screens for logging in and creating a new account. We need to consider the user’s cognitive load from having too many fields on a mobile app screen that are for two completely different options.
- Design suggestion: I moved the Name field to the 01.3 Choose role screen. The field was originally in the next screen (02a Projects), but I think customer information is not project-related information.
2. Onboarding - Business Owner and Freelancer
Notes:
Notes:
- I added some microcopy to most of the screens in this section to guide the user, especially business owners who may not be familiar with using apps. It's important to make them feel safe, for example, when providing personal payment details.
- Design suggestion: I added a Skip for now option to the screens, mainly because I think the information being asked for here should not have to be prerequisites for creating a project.
3. Ongoing Use and Messaging - Business Owner and Freelancer
Notes:
Notes:
- I suggest adding a main Account menu link at the top of every screen, so that the user can have the option to update their personal information or payment details anytime.
- For the Project dash screen, I added a new button that would direct the user to the Chat or Messaging section. I think it would be a good option to provide for the users to communicate with each other directly and make adjustments.