Morgan Caputo’s Post

We’ve all heard it before: “Lead with results.” And it’s true—whether you’re designing a product or crafting a case study, impact comes first. But here’s the problem: Too many designers treat case studies like dramatic narratives when they should be focused on one critical fact: Anyone who reads your case study isn’t looking for plot twists—they’re looking for proof. So, how do you balance storytelling with showcasing results? By beginning with impact and then unpacking the journey. Case studies should be succinct, outcome-driven, and human. Here are some tips: 1️⃣ Lead With Results Hook your audience by presenting the outcome first. Use data, visuals, or concise statements like: ↳ “User engagement increased by 30% in three months.” ↳ “Redesigning the checkout flow doubled conversion rates.” These quick wins prove your value right away. 2️⃣ Show—don’t just tell. Once you’ve set the stage, walk readers through your process. Highlight the challenges, decisions, and lessons learned, but keep it relatable. Storytelling here isn’t about drama—it’s about clarity. 3️⃣ Clarity > complexity. Good storytelling doesn’t mean tension or foreshadowing. It means being structured and engaging. Think of it as a conversation: be direct, and keep it real. 4️⃣ Keep it relatable. Your audience should see themselves in your case study. Show how your solutions tackled universal challenges, like improving accessibility, simplifying workflows, or scaling systems. 5️⃣ Make it visual. Case studies are not novels—they shouldn’t feel like one. Lean on before-and-after screenshots, annotated wireframes, or short videos to bring your process to life. When we stop treating case studies like traditional stories and focus on connecting through outcomes, we make a bigger impact—on hiring managers, design leads, and peers alike. What’s your take? How do you tackle storytelling in case studies? Share your tips or examples below. 👇 #casestudies #uxdesign #storytelling #designtips #innovation #careergrowth ---------------- 👋 Hi, I'm Dane—I share daily design tools & tips. ❤️ If you found this helpful, consider liking it. 🔄 Want to help others? Consider reposting. ➕ For more like this, consider following me.

How does your design contribute to a company’s mission and growth? Are you aligning your work with business goals or just focusing on making things look great? As designers, it’s easy to get caught up in pixels, user flows, and visual storytelling. But impactful design isn’t just about aesthetics – it’s about creating value that moves the needle. If you want to make a real impact, start thinking like a strategist: 💰Understand the business model. 📈Learn the metrics that matter. 🗣️Collaborate with cross-functional partners to gain insights into market trends and customer needs. Designers who speak the language of business don’t just create – they lead. What are your strategies for aligning design with business goals? #DesignStrategy #BusinessMindset #UXLeadership #ProductDesign #UXUI #DesignWithImpact

In his latest blog, Service Designer Liam Beattie, talks about the importance of developing in-depth user personas when conducting user-centred research. He also discusses his approach to crafting user personas, exploring how they inform every aspect of the design process and support with visual storytelling. To find out more about identifying user needs and refining user journeys, follow this link: https://lnkd.in/eJ9ej-Rw

The rise of coherent content standards within design systems dignifies a strategic shift that puts premium quality user experience at the heart of digital transformation. By cementing the integration between writers, content creators, and User Interface designers, it marks an unmistakable inflection point in design space evolution. 💡 Here are key takeaways: • Leverage Consistency: Ensuring consistency across all touchpoints enhances the user journey. It is quickly becoming a prime determinant of efficient mechanics and higher engagement rates. • Unlock Synergy: The improved collaboration results in a holistic approach to design. By synthesizing writing and design, organizations can break the silos and foster innovation. Given recent trends, it's not unlikely that this approach is poised be the norm, not an exception. It effectively treads the fine line of enhancing customer satisfaction while reinforcing brand identities. Yet, standardizing content is no easy feat. It remains an ongoing process to maintain relevance and evolve with changing user needs. In conclusion, blending content standards in design systems invokes a new school of thought, triggering substantial gains in user engagement and organization performance. It’s a direction wisely chosen, and one that can potentially propel groundbreaking processes, leading towards visionary realities more swiftly than we can anticipate. #DigitalTransformation #UserExperience #DesignSystems #ContentStrategy #UserInterface

Portfolio Pain Points: The Struggle is Real As designers, developers, and creatives, our portfolios are our lifelines. They showcase our skills, experience, and accomplishments to potential employers, clients, and collaborators. However, collating a portfolio can be a daunting task. Here are some common pain points we face: 1. Content Overload Which projects to include? How to prioritize? The fear of showcasing too much or too little is real. 2. Visual Storytelling How to effectively communicate complex ideas, processes, and outcomes through visuals? The struggle to balance text and images is ongoing. 3. Contextualizing Work How to provide enough context without overwhelming the viewer? The challenge of concisely explaining project goals, roles, and outcomes is a tough one. 4. Showcasing Soft Skills How to demonstrate soft skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving through portfolio pieces? The difficulty in quantifying these essential skills is a common frustration. 5. Maintaining Relevance How to keep our portfolios up-to-date and relevant in a rapidly changing industry? The pressure to constantly refresh and refine our portfolios can be overwhelming. If you're struggling to collate your portfolio, know you're not alone! Share your portfolio pain points and solutions in the comments below. Let's work together to create portfolios that truly showcase our skills, talents, and experiences! #UX #Portfolio #Design #Development #Creativity #CareerDevelopment

Just write it down. Putting your thoughts into words is the low-key secret weapon for taking your UX designs to the next level Wondering why? - Go from Fuzzy to clarity - Spot the holes in your logic - Talk the talk - Tell a story, not just a design - Get in your users' heads Don't sleep on this, Grab a pen and paper (or fire up that keyboard) and start writing your way to design greatness. What's your secret mantra as a creative? #UXdesign #writing #communication #creativity #designthinking #levelup

Here’s the deal: while designers are great at spotting what looks good and works well, not all of us are trained writers. That’s a crucial distinction. Sure, we can create a visually appealing interface, but writing for user experience is a whole different ballgame. It’s about crafting messages that hit home, are straight to the point, and clear up confusion when users need it most. Think about well-crafted microcopy—those little bits of text like error messages, call-to-action buttons, and onboarding prompts. They can completely change how users interact with a product. On the flip side, poorly written text can lead to confusion and frustration. Thoughtful copy, though, can really enhance usability and even bring a smile to someone’s face. Good UX writing means understanding the user’s journey, anticipating what they might need, and providing the right guidance at just the right moment. It takes empathy, a good grasp of tone, and a clear understanding of how language shapes the user experience. At the end of the day, words are just as important as visuals in design. When we start to recognize the value of UX writing, we can create experiences that feel more complete and effective. It’s time to elevate the role of writing in our designs and work alongside skilled writers to ensure our users feel informed, supported, and truly understood throughout their journey. #UXWriting #UserExperience #Microcopy #DesignThinking #UIDesign #ProductDesign #Collaboration #EmpathyInDesign #ContentStrategy #DigitalDesign #UserCenteredDesign #WritingForUX #Usability #CustomerExperience #DesignMatters #HumanCenteredDesign

🚀 Power of Visual Storytelling with Illustration Design Systems! In today’s digital landscape, first impressions are everything. The right illustration design system can do wonders for your product by creating a visual language that is not only cohesive but also deeply resonates with your audience. 🌟 Why does it matter? Consistency Across Touchpoints: A well-crafted illustration design system ensures that your brand’s visuals are uniform across all platforms, making the user experience seamless and recognizable. Boosts Engagement: Engaging visuals simplify complex ideas, making your product more accessible and memorable, ultimately leading to increased user retention. Elevates Brand Perception: From playful to professional, the right illustrations convey your brand’s personality, setting you apart in a crowded market. 🔍 Real-World Inspiration: Go-Jek: Energizes and simplifies their multi-service app, making it more user-friendly. Duolingo: Uses playful illustrations to turn learning into an enjoyable, gamified experience. Atlassian: Simplifies complex concepts, aiding in smoother team collaboration. Discord: Creates a sense of community with relatable and quirky visuals. 💡 The Takeaway: Illustration design systems don’t just beautify your product—they elevate the entire user experience. If you’re looking to stand out and create a lasting impact, now’s the time to invest in a cohesive visual strategy. 🔗 Ready to elevate your product? Let’s connect and explore how illustration design can transform your brand! 👇 Find links to all the illustration design systems in the comments below. #IllustrationDesign #DesignSystems #BrandStrategy #UserExperience #ProductDesign #DigitalDesign #CreativeDesign #UXDesign #BrandIdentity #DesignInspiration #Engagement #TechDesign #Innovation #EnzoDesign

A great folio can accelerate your content and UX career 🚀 But a lot of people get them wrong... I’ve been a hiring manager for many years, so I want to share the principles of a great content design folio website: 🧑🍳 Folios are an amuse-bouche for you — Think of your portfolio website as an amuse-bouche—an enticing introduction to you and your work. Its primary goal is to captivate a recruiter or manager, leaving them eager for the main course (you!). Tip: Keep your portfolio concise and easy to navigate, showcasing your principles, work, and skills clearly and effectively. 🚫 Design for your audience — Too many folios are written for other in-the-weeds UX practitioners. This misses the point of your website: it must be designed for recruiters and hiring managers of all stripes, not just those with deep UX knowledge. Tip: Don’t use technical terms or discuss abstract methodologies—focus on the product or feature, your contribution, and the results. ⚖️ Less is more — Long, detailed project stories can often obscure your actual contributions and overwhelm the reader. Remember, brevity can be a sign of expertise. Tip: Instead of long case studies, try a headline that captures your impact with a 2-3 sentence description of your role and contributions. 🎨 Show, don’t tell — Yes, we’re writers and content thinkers—but the things we ship are visual. This includes spreadsheets, documents, IA outlines, and even rough Figma screenshots. Let the “physical” things you make do the talking! Tip: Pair a strong visual that captures the work you did with a short description to make folio projects that are greater than the sum of their parts. Remember: A simple, thoughtful folio website can be more effective, easier to read, and less effort for you to maintain. Heck, some of the best folios I’ve seen are a single website page with a handful of projects and your contact details. #CareerTips #ContentDesign #PortfolioTips #UXDesign #HiringInsights #UXWriting #ContentFolios #Websites #Portfolio

Decided to update my "About" section. I wanted it to accurately reflect my experience, career aspirations, and personality all at once: --- I've got a thing for words, storytelling, and grammar, and I'm passionate about putting the right words in front of the right people. With 5 years of experience in corporate communications, I'm in the process of breaking into the UX writing/content design space. My goal? Use the lessons I've learned from employee communications to support user journeys with simple, effective UI copy. Also, finding typos makes me happy. That should also come in handy. 😊 In-progress certification: "Fundamentals of UX Writing" course offered by UX Content Collective #uxwriting #contentdesign #career