5 Human Things UX Designers Can Learn From Conversational Design

• Human, Things

5 min. (946 words)

5-human-things-ux-designers-can-learn-from-conversational-design

It seems like magic: you talk to the phone, and it talks back. And if you’re lucky, it says something useful. You type into the chat box, and if the bot is good, you find out what you need to know. [Cue: shocked-looking stock photo models.] The current marketing term for it is “conversational design”, and it’s gaining more and more traction beyond big companies like Apple, Google, and Amazon.

Conversational design is actually old, in technological terms. IBM did a lot of the groundwork for voice-activated tech as far back as the ’60s. One of the first big chatbots, Jabberwacky, was conceived in 1981 and launched in 1997, and later evolved into Cleverbot.

Chatbots and their voice-activated cousins were initially little more than proofs of concept

Chatbots and their voice-activated cousins were initially little more than proofs of concept. There was even a bot or two where you could talk to “God”. Then came Apple, with Siri. Siri was probably the first commercially viable conversational interface. At least, it was the first massively successful UI of its kind.

Since then, the concept has taken off, and now everyone who wants to provide customer service without actually talking to their customers, is in on it…with conversational UIs of varying quality. See, good conversational design is just good design. You have to follow pretty much the same basic principles to get your message across. However, building a good conversational UI requires us to focus on design principles that might not otherwise get a lot of love in your average visual UI.

In the spirit of looking beyond our immediate area of expertise, and learning from other design disciplines, let’s see what the best conversational designers can teach the rest of us:

1. Anticipation

Anticipating the needs of our users is central to all design projects, no matter what kind of design you’re talking about. Conversational design, however, takes this to another level. Dealing with the needs of people who are talking to their device like it’s a person requires anticipating all the questions they might have, and indeed, all the ways they might ask those questions.

The best conversational UIs are based on very thorough research, massive data sets, years of testing, and a fair amount of guesswork to try and predict what people are going to need. Doing an A/B test doesn’t sound so bad now, does it?

2. Interpretation

Real conversations often go something like, “Hey, you know that guy, the pretty one, from the show yesterday?”

“We were watching stuff on the CW. They’re all annoyingly pretty.”

“The one with the hair? The dark hair? Skinny… goes fast?”

“You mean The Flash. Goddammit Brian, his superhero name is two short words. You can and should remember this.”

Human beings are highly inefficient at communicating what they mean, which is why there are literal college courses on various forms of communication. Half the effort of a conversation is often spent trying to figure out another person’s frame of reference, to then figure out what they mean.

Conversational UIs, therefore, cannot rely on specific, limited input from their users, like visual UIs can. They have to take a chunk of speech or text, scan it for meaning, scan it for relevant information, and then see if there’s anything at all they can do with it. And they’re typically not allowed to swear at us.

Beyond anticipating a user’s needs, all designers need to get better at determining their intent, when they click on a button five times to see if it’ll do something different, browse through the navigation menu seemingly at random, or any other weird stuff you see in your analytics.

3. Flexibility

For a quick example, let’s look at what happens when a conversational UI is not nearly flexible enough. 

flexibility

4. There Are Two Sides to Every Button Click

Regular UI design often comes down to laying out a path, a journey, and hoping users will hit all the right buttons to follow it. Conversational design recognizes the fact that every time someone uses your UI (of any kind), there’s a a two-way conversation happening. You said your piece already, when you designed the interface, and now it’s the user’s turn.

With a live conversation, we can adapt to someone’s input in real time, and the conversation will change to reflect that. The better conversational UIs can do this as well.

Imagine a world where your website can adapt to the user’s input on the fly, making it easier for them to find things they want. It already exists to some extent, with algorithms, big data, curated timelines (ugh), and recommended products (meh), and even some innovative apps that do their best to offer help when a user seems lost (thanks!), but this is a concept we’ve barely begun to explore. And it’s exciting.

adapt

5. Just Use Semantic HTML Already

We already know we need proper, semantic HTML for better SEO. And we need it for people who can’t rely on their eyes to browse the Internet. But if that’s not enough for you, consider poor Siri, Alexa, and their long-suffering siblings. The artificial assistants we talk to sometimes have to read through your markup—that’s right, your markup—to figure out where and what in the seven hells your phone number is, for example.

Listen, I’m not saying that improperly formatted data is what’s going to set off the AI rebellion, but I’m pretty sure that people who write bad HTML will be pretty high on “The List”.

semantic

Featured image via DepositPhotos.

148 comments

  4. Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve visited your blog before but
    after going through a few of the posts I realized it’s new to
    me. Regardless, I’m definitely pleased I found it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back regularly!

  6. I wish to show thanks to you for rescuing me from this particular matter.
    Right after scouting throughout the the net and coming across views which were not helpful, I
    assumed my life was well over. Living without the approaches to the difficulties you’ve resolved all through
    your review is a serious case, as well as ones that would
    have adversely affected my entire career if I had not encountered your website.
    Your own knowledge and kindness in controlling all the pieces
    was valuable. I am not sure what I would have done
    if I hadn’t encountered such a stuff like this.
    It’s possible to now look forward to my future. Thanks a lot so much for this expert and sensible help.
    I won’t be reluctant to propose the website to any individual
    who will need care on this subject.

    Review my web-site :: vip5.moisait2021.ru

  8. I’m extremely impressed along with your writing skills as smartly as with the layout to
    your blog. Is that this a paid subject or did you customize it your self?
    Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it is rare
    to look a great blog like this one these days.

    Look into my web-site :: Keto LeanX Reviews

  9. Thanks for your personal marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you may be
    a great author.I will make certain to bookmark your
    blog and will come back sometime soon. I want to encourage yourself
    to continue your great writing, have a nice holiday weekend!

    Here is my web-site :: Glacier Air Cooler

  14. Right here is the right web site for anyone who really wants to understand this topic.
    You understand so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually would
    want to?HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a subject that has been discussed for
    years. Great stuff, just excellent!

    Feel free to surf to my web blog: IQ SuperCharged Reviews

  16. Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem with your web site in internet explorer,
    would test this? IE still is the marketplace chief and a
    big part of other folks will pass over your magnificent writing due to this problem.

    Here is my homepage :: Amellia Cream Reviews (http://khoquet.com/)

  20. Hiya very cool blog!! Man .. Excellent .. Amazing ..
    I’ll bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally?
    I’m happy to seek out numerous useful info here
    in the put up, we need work out extra strategies on this regard, thank you for
    sharing. . . . . .

    My blog post – Spore Mens Vitality Mix Reviews (web.jmjh.tn.edu.tw)

  21. I like the valuable info you provide for your articles. I’ll bookmark your weblog and
    check again right here regularly. I’m somewhat certain I’ll be
    informed many new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

    Here is my website: Fast Dash Keto

  28. An intriguing discussion is definitely worth comment. I do believe that you need to publish more on this subject, it may not be
    a taboo subject but typically folks don’t talk about these issues.
    To the next! Many thanks!!

    Visit my page: WifiLift Wifi Extender (vip5.moisait2021.ru)

  33. The next time I read a blog, Hopefully it doesn’t fail me just as much
    as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to
    read, however I really believed you would have something interesting
    to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of complaining about something you could fix if you were
    not too busy seeking attention.

    Here is my web-site :: Evo Naturals Hemp Gummy Bears Price [Robin#]

  42. Howdy! I know this is kinda off topic but I’d figured I’d ask.
    Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest writing
    a blog post or vice-versa? My website discusses
    a lot of the same subjects as yours and I feel we could greatly
    benefit from each other. If you might be interested feel free to send
    me an email. I look forward to hearing from you! Great blog by the way!

    my web blog Spore Mens Vitality Mix Reviews

  43. Admiring the time and energy you put into your website and in depth information you present.
    It’s awesome to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same outdated rehashed material.
    Excellent read! I’ve saved your site and I’m including your RSS
    feeds to my Google account.

    Review my page … Bio Wellness CBD Gummies Review (163.30.42.16)

  48. Having read this I thought it was extremely enlightening.
    I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this information together.
    I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading and posting comments.
    But so what, it was still worth it!

  49. Currently it sounds like WordPress is the top blogging platform available right now.
    (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?

  50. I am not sure where you are getting your info, but good topic.
    I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.
    Thanks for excellent info I was looking for this information for my mission.

  52. Hi I am so thrilled I found your weblog, I really found you by accident, while
    I was researching on Google for something else, Regardless I am here
    now and would just like to say cheers for a marvelous post and a all round interesting blog
    (I also love the theme/design), I don?t have time to read
    it all at the moment but I have book-marked it and also added in your RSS feeds,
    so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up
    the great work.

    Feel free to visit my webpage – Summer Valley CBD Gummies Review

  55. I wanted to draft you a little bit of remark to be able to
    thank you as before for all the marvelous strategies you have featured here.
    This is really extremely open-handed with you to make easily what exactly a few
    individuals could possibly have advertised for an ebook to help with making some money on their own,
    most notably given that you could have tried it in the event you wanted.
    Those suggestions as well acted to be a easy way to
    be certain that other people have a similar interest like my
    very own to know a good deal more on the subject of this
    issue. I am certain there are millions of more enjoyable periods ahead for
    individuals that go through your blog post.

    Feel free to visit my homepage http://www.koan.at

  58. Hello, i believe that i saw you visited my blog
    so i came to ?go back the desire?.I am trying to in finding things to enhance my website!I suppose its good
    enough to make use of some of your concepts!!

    My web page; Dario

  59. Your mode of explaining the whole thing in this article is in fact fastidious, every one can without difficulty understand it, Thanks a lot.

  60. I am just commenting to make you understand of the wonderful experience my wife’s daughter obtained going through your web page.
    She learned many details, most notably what it is like to have an amazing teaching nature to let others
    very easily know just exactly several very confusing things.
    You undoubtedly exceeded our expected results. Thank you for delivering those effective, safe, educational and even cool guidance on your topic to Tanya.

    Here is my blog post … forum.adm-tolka.ru

  64. Hi, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar
    one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam remarks?
    If so how do you reduce it, any plugin or anything you can advise?
    I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any help is very much appreciated.

    Also visit my web blog Virgo FX

  69. Good day I am so thrilled I found your website, I really found you by accident, while I was looking on Aol for something else, Regardless I am here now and would just like to say
    many thanks for a remarkable post and a all round thrilling blog (I also love the
    theme/design), I don?t have time to browse it all at the moment
    but I have book-marked it and also added in your
    RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great
    deal more, Please do keep up the fantastic b.

    Feel free to visit my web blog … Vigalix Ingredients

  71. Howdy! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate!

    He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this article to him.
    Fairly certain he will have a good read.
    Thanks for sharing!

  72. Normally I do not learn post on blogs, but I would like to say
    that this write-up very forced me to check out and
    do so! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thank you, quite
    nice article.

  73. Aw, this was a very nice post. Taking a few minutes and actual effort to produce
    a top notch article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and don’t seem to get nearly anything done.

  75. Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and
    found that it’s truly informative. I am gonna watch out for brussels.
    I will be grateful if you continue this in future. Many people will be benefited from your writing.
    Cheers!

    Here is my homepage … Renew Brite

  76. Having read this I thought it was rather enlightening. I appreciate you spending some time
    and energy to put this short article together. I
    once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of
    time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  77. Excellent post. Keep posting such kind of information on your page.
    Im really impressed by your site.
    Hello there, You have performed an incredible job. I will certainly digg it and for my part suggest
    to my friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this site.

  82. When I initially commented I seem to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox
    and now whenever a comment is added I get 4 emails with the exact same comment.
    There has to be a means you can remove me from that service?
    Many thanks!

    Feel free to visit my homepage http://www.stwx.net

  83. It’s a pity you don’t have a donate button! I’d certainly donate to
    this excellent blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and
    adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and will share this site with my Facebook group.
    Talk soon!

    Also visit my homepage Luiresse Skin Care

  95. Hmm it seems like your site ate my first comment (it was super long) so I
    guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say,
    I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring
    blog blogger but I’m still new to the whole thing.
    Do you have any tips and hints for rookie blog writers?
    I’d genuinely appreciate it. ps4 https://j.mp/3nkdKIi ps4 games

  99. I was recommended this website by my cousin. I am not sure whether
    this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my difficulty.
    You’re wonderful! Thanks!

    Take a look at my web page – healthy tips

  100. I don’t even know how I stopped up right here, but I believed this submit was once great.
    I do not understand who you are but certainly you’re going to a well-known blogger if you happen to aren’t already 😉 Cheers!

    Take a look at my page sushichat.com

  102. Wonderful blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo
    News. Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed
    in Yahoo News? I’ve been trying for a while but I never seem
    to get there! Thanks

    Also visit my website :: balanced diet

  108. Unquestionably imagine that that you stated. Your favorite reason appeared to be at the internet the easiest factor to be mindful of.
    I say to you, I definitely get irked while other folks think
    about worries that they plainly don’t understand about.
    You managed to hit the nail upon the highest
    and also outlined out the entire thing with no need
    side-effects , people can take a signal. Will probably be back to
    get more. Thanks

    My web-site https://casualvalueinvestor.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;u=54857

  109. Thank you for all of your efforts on this site. My mom loves engaging in research and
    it’s simple to grasp why. A lot of people notice all concerning
    the powerful ways you render good tricks via your web site and inspire participation from visitors on that concept while our
    own girl is undoubtedly learning so much.
    Have fun with the remaining portion of the new year.
    Your conducting a powerful job.

    Here is my web page :: cannabis license

  110. Hi would you mind stating which blog platform you’re using?
    I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m having a tough time selecting between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your design and style
    seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something unique.
    P.S Apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!

    My web blog: robert atkins

  116. I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme.
    Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for
    you? Plz respond as I’m looking to construct my own blog and would like
    to find out where u got this from. many thanks

    My homepage … lose weight

  118. I am really impressed with your writing abilities as neatly as with the structure in your weblog.
    Is this a paid subject matter or did you modify it your self?
    Either way stay up the nice quality writing, it is uncommon to look a great weblog like this one nowadays.

    Here is my site: fast crash diet

  124. I enjoy you because of all of the efforts on this blog.
    Kate enjoys making time for investigation and it’s
    easy to see why. My partner and i know all relating to the
    compelling method you render sensible solutions on the web site and as well increase
    participation from website visitors on the content
    plus our favorite child has been discovering
    so much. Enjoy the remaining portion of the year. You are carrying out a powerful
    job.

    Look at my website – drug crime attorney

  125. I and also my friends came following the great solutions located on your site and
    then before long came up with an awful suspicion I never thanked the web blog owner for those tips.
    These guys appeared to be passionate to study them and have now in reality been tapping into these things.
    Many thanks for genuinely considerably thoughtful and for making a choice on varieties of superb things millions of individuals are really eager to be aware of.
    My honest regret for not saying thanks to earlier.

    my homepage; blast belly fat

  127. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something that I think I would
    never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad
    for me. I’m looking forward for your next post, I’ll try to get the hang of it!

    Here is my webpage :: acne treatment

  132. I seriously love your blog.. Pleasant colors & theme. Did you make this
    amazing site yourself? Please reply back as I’m trying to create my
    own personal site and would love to know where you
    got this from or just what the theme is named. Thanks!

  133. Howdy I am so happy I found your web site, I really found you by mistake, while I was looking on Yahoo for something else, Nonetheless I am here now and would just
    like to say cheers for a marvelous post and a all round enjoyable blog (I
    also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to read through
    it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also added
    in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back
    to read much more, Please do keep up the great work.

  135. It’s really very complicated in this active life to listen news on Television, therefore I just use world wide web for that reason, and take the latest news.

  137. Hi, Neat post. There’s an issue with your site in web explorer, might test this?
    IE nonetheless is the marketplace chief and a good portion of other folks will miss your great writing because of this problem.

  138. I absolutely love your blog and find the majority of your post’s to be
    just what I’m looking for. Do you offer guest writers to write content in your case?
    I wouldn’t mind producing a post or elaborating
    on most of the subjects you write related to here.
    Again, awesome blog!

  139. I used to be recommended this blog by way of my cousin.
    I’m not certain whether or not this submit is written through him as no one else recognise
    such exact approximately my problem. You are amazing! Thank
    you!

  140. Hello just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the images
    aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think
    its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different internet browsers and both
    show the same outcome.

  142. Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles?
    I mean, what you say is important and everything.
    But imagine if you added some great pictures or video clips
    to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but
    with pics and video clips, this blog could certainly be
    one of the most beneficial in its niche. Wonderful
    blog!

  145. Spot on with this write-up, I actually believe this amazing
    site needs a great deal more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read
    through more, thanks for the advice!

  146. Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared
    to be on the web the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly
    get annoyed while people think about worries that they
    plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top
    as well as defined out the whole thing without having side-effects
    , people could take a signal. Will likely be back to get more.

    Thanks

  147. BBDoll クリスマスとそれを超えて素晴らしい特別なカスタムプレゼントなぜ賢明なダッチワイフを大切にすることは恥の対象ではないのですか？朝に性交することの利点は何ですか？身長と体重に応じてダッチワイフを選ぶためのヒントは何ですか？

  148. Pingback: clean keto diet

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.