Investigating the Impact of Design Thinking, Content Strategy, and Artificial Intelligence: A “Streams” Approach for Technical Communication and User Experience

Abstract

Technical and professional communication (TPC) and user experience (UX) design are often seen as intertwined due to being user-centered. Yet, as widening industry positions combine TPC and UX, new streams enrich our understanding. This article looks at three such streams, namely, design thinking, content strategy, and artificial intelligence to uncover specific industry practices, skills, and ways to advocate for users. These streams foster a multistage user-centered methodology focused on a continuous designing process, strategic ways for developing content across different platforms and channels, and for developing in smart contexts where agentive products act for users. In this article, we synthesize these developments and draw out how these impact TPC.

Extending Design Thinking, Content Strategy, and Artificial Intelligence into Technical Communication and User Experience Design Programs: Further Pedagogical Implications

“…Verhulsdonck et al (2021) examined the ways in which design thinking, content strategy, and AI technologies are reshaping mainstream TPC practices. Their discussion was informed by observations Tharon Howard made in 1994 regarding the impacts early technological revolutions had on our field.…”

“…Verhulsdonck et al (2021) introduced these three areas as having nine specific practical implications for TPC; this article follows up with additional pedagogical and programmatic implications. Specifically, we focus more on how to introduce students to these areas as part of our discipline by suggesting ways to teach them in TPC courses.…”

“…Verhulsdonck et al (2021) noted three major implications of design thinking for TPC. First, design thinking forwards incremental and continuous improvement approaches in project development, which modify the workflow of TPC.…”

“…To follow up on Rose and Schreiber's call, our paper offers a response specific to pedagogical and programmatic development. We are concerned with three particular “streams” (Verhulsdonck et al, 2021) that can further enrich the relationship between UX and TPC––design thinking, content strategy, and artificial intelligence (AI). Our investigation of these streams for TPC and UX programs joins a robust research agenda set forth by scholars and program administrators who have demonstrated the importance of continual research in pedagogical design and programmatic innovations.…”

“…Rockley et al, 2015; Evia 2019; Duin and Pedersen, 2021). As such, this article follows up on Verhulsdonck et al's (2021) discussions about the three “streams” that are entering and diverging from mainstream TPC by focusing on the pedagogical effects they bring to our discipline as a response to Rose and Schreiber's (2021) call.…”