Writing interface copy before drawing the screen

Words are the first wireframe

A screen is a sequence of statements. What is this, what can I do here, what happens if I do it. When those sentences are unclear, no layout will rescue them. So before opening a design tool we write the headings, button labels, empty states and error messages in a plain document.

It is a fast way to find disagreements. If two people on a team describe the same button differently, you have found a product question, not a copy question, and it is far cheaper to answer it now.

Draw around the content

Once the copy holds, layout becomes easier. Long labels, short labels and empty states are already known, so nothing gets squeezed in at the last minute. Our designers keep real content in frames from the first sketch.

If you are about to start a build and want a second pair of eyes on the words, get in touch.