Content design is more than just writing—it’s about creating clear, useful, and accessible content that meets user needs.
One of my early forays into content design was at age 7. It’s a hand-drawn map of my childhood home and neighborhood in Hendersonville, NC.
My user need at the time was to chronicle the terrain of daily bike rides through ny neighborhood streets, driveways and “durt” roads. (Spelling was not my best subject in first grade!)
I wanted to be ready for potential hazards like dogs, specifically, the German shepherd that would chase me when I got near his yard.
He would see me approaching, then start running over and nip at my heels. To avoid a dog bite, I had to anticipate him by peddling hard and gaining momentum. Then, I’d put my feet on the handlebars and safely coasting about 50 yards, out of his territory. He’d turn back, and I could continue my neighborhood trek.
Like all good content design, my map was rooted in user research, data and testing. It also offered relevant information about neighborhood streets and landmarks back in the days before Google Maps.
So what makes content design different from just content?
Key elements of content design include:
- Plain language – Writing in a way that’s clear and concise
- User needs first – Designing content based on how people search and consume information.
- Visual hierarchy – Organizing content with headings, lists, and white space for easy scanning.
- Accessibility – Ensuring content is readable for all users, including those with disabilities.
A content designer takes the text and maps it out to help users achieve their goals. A content designer can also be a strategist who looks at the bigger picture — such as making sure content in an application matches the brand voice.
By applying content design principles, organizations can create digital experiences that feel effortless and intuitive. If you’ve ever been frustrated by unclear instructions or a confusing interface, you’ve experienced the opposite of good content design.
If you’re new to content design, I hope you will follow my blog and let’s learn together. Let’s start peddling fast now so we can help coast past any dangers nipping at our heels.