This document summarizes a presentation on the relationship between technical communication and user experience (UX). It argues that UX is an important part of technical communication and that technical communicators need to make their role in UX more visible in both teaching and scholarship. The presentation provides background on how UX relates to technical communication and involves skills in process, applied rhetoric, and critical engagement. It urges technical communicators to reclaim their legacy in UX and recognize UX as the future of their field.

1. Yes,
UX is
Technical
Communication
…And other things we still need to explain
Emma J. Rose, PhD
University of Washington Tacoma
@emmarosephd

2. Image, by Juhan Sonin
Rose, E., & Tenenberg, J. (2016). Arguing about design: A taxonomy of rhetorical
strategies deployed by user experience practitioners. In Proceedings of the 34th ACM
International Conference on the Design of Communication. ACM.

3. Image, by Juhan Sonin
Rose, E., & Tenenberg, J. (2016). Arguing about design: A taxonomy of rhetorical
strategies deployed by user experience practitioners. In Proceedings of the 34th ACM
International Conference on the Design of Communication. ACM.

4. Rose, E., & Tenenberg, J. (2107) “Making practice-level struggles visible: Researching
UX practice to inform pedagogy” Communication Design Quarterly 5(1), 89-97.

5. Rose, E., & Tenenberg, J. (2107) “Making practice-level struggles visible: Researching
UX practice to inform pedagogy” Communication Design Quarterly 5(1), 89-97.

6. While your overall argument is solid, it is
predicated on the fact that readers accept
the need to teach usability in technical
communication curricula. To this end, you
need to first establish this factor
(the need to teach usability in technical
communication programs) before you
can present effective approaches to teaching
that topic.

7. While your overall argument is solid, it is
predicated on the fact that readers accept
the need to teach usability in technical
communication curricula. To this end, you
need to first establish this factor
(the need to teach usability in technical
communication programs) before you
can present effective approaches to teaching
that topic.

9. UXUsability

10. Once more…
for the people in the back
Tech
Comm
UX

11. technologies such as HTML and Adobe CS figure more Again, one of the most notable areas in which
Figure 12. The intersection of technical communication & UX
Lauer & Brumberger 2016

12. Image by Quesenbury, appearing in Redish

13. Look at these faces!
Redish Schriver Sullivan Ramey
Barnum Spryidakis Hackos Quesenbury
Johnson

14. Technical Communication is the
foundation of UX
Tech
Comm
UX

15. Who claims UX? Everyone
Computer Science
Information Science
Graphic and Visual Design
Business and marketing

16. Did we miss the UX boat?

17. Sound the alarm!
The new role of the technical
communicator is going to be much
more closely linked with that of
the product developer-and that if
we did not seek out this
relationship, our function may
become extinct.
(Giammona 2004)
Responsibilities traditionally
associated with TC are now
being included within UX
positions, often at the
expense of TC as we have
understood the profession for
the past several decades.
(Laroche & Traynor 2013)
UX provides the opportunity for TC’rs to more broadly
apply their strengths as advocates for users.
Lauer & Brumberger (2016)

18. How do we make UX visible within
technical communication teaching
and scholarship?

19. Let us reclaim our legacy
UX is Process
Applied rhetoric
Critical engagement

20. Let us reclaim our legacy
UX is the future

21. Thank you!
Emma J. Rose, PhD
University of Washington Tacoma
@emmarosephd