Visuals are powerful and can engage an audience in ways text alone can't. In software user assistance, screenshots have been an easy go-to for visuals. But with that power comes great responsibility. In the face of localization, accessibility, and continuous deployment, screenshots may carry underestimated overhead that outweighs their contribution to the conversation with the user. Instead, consider other visuals — illustrations, infographics, simplified UI abstract representations — that may better support your message, contribute more to the conversation, and avoid some of the extra overhead. Originally given at Write the Docs Portland, 2018.
2. Hey! I’m Steve
At Blackbaud 13 years, full of
technical communication, content
strategy, and innovation
Focus on craftingcontentexperiencesto
engageand assistusers of Blackbaud
solutionsat nonprofitorganizations
Side-gigas editorialcartoonistat localalt-
weeklyCharlestonCityPaper for 14+ years
Apparentdeadlineaddict (pleasehelp!)
4. We’re wired to think visually.
• The brain takes 1/4 s to process visuals.
Source:Whyyourbrainlovesvisualcontent(www.columnfivemedia.com/why-your-brain-loves-visual-content-
loves-visual-content-infographic)
• When paired with a relevant image,
people retain 65% of content after 3
days, compared to 10% without.
Source:Ultimatelistofmarketingstatistics(www.hubspot.com/marketing-statistics)
• People follow directions with
text and illustrations 323%
better than text-only.
Source:Effectsoftextillustrations:Areviewofresearch(link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF02765184)
10. <div class=“content”>
<p><img src=“screenshot.png” alt=“This is
super important for accessibility. It’s
not just for SEO. Describe the screenshot
for those who can’t see it, or make sure
the content around the screenshot provides
that clarity. It’s also a good opportunity
to determine how much the screenshot
itself really contributes to your
conversation or message.” /> </p>
</div>
11. Agile Development: Classic Story of the Pig and Chicken, Juan lacruz
Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23997879