How to tell your story in a UX case study format

Mo Goltz
4 min readDec 27, 2023

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Writing a more effective case study is just one step away

If you are reading this article, chances are this is not your first rodeo — you’ve probably already read many articles on how to create the perfect case study. Though there is not just one correct approach, one thing almost all (if not all) UX professionals agree on is the importance and power of communicating via storytelling, especially when writing UX case studies.

Crafting a UX case study might initially feel overwhelming, particularly for newcomers stepping into the first several years of employment. It’s a pivotal opportunity, though — one that allows you to showcase your journey and accomplishments in a captivating and dynamic way. This isn’t just about presenting facts; it’s about weaving a narrative that draws your audience in.

The magic ingredient? Storytelling. It’s the art of narrating your adventure, sharing not just your achievements but the context and significance of your mission. While storytelling is often highlighted in UX, translating it into the structured format of a case study can pose challenges. But fear not!

It’s time to reconsider how we might communicate these stories. What’s needed is a detailed storytelling method that breathes life into our narratives. This approach can unlock doors to exciting opportunities like interviews, where we can passionately share even richer tales.

Let’s embark on this journey together, diving into these crucial considerations with the assistance of ChatGPT. It’s an experimental approach that promises to infuse a lighthearted and comprehensive perspective into the process of crafting your next UX case study.

How to tell your story

You are the bard, drawing your audience in by telling your tale in the form of a captivating story

A story explaining how to tell stories — things to think about before you start writing your next case study:

Once upon a time, in the realm of design narratives, there lived a group of storytellers who sought to craft compelling tales within their case studies.

In this enchanted land, they learned the art of structuring their stories like seasoned bards. They knew the importance of a clear beginning, middle, and end, detailing their design projects with exquisite specifics that brought life to their narratives.

These storytellers, aiming to captivate the attention of recruiters, wielded their storytelling magic to showcase how they conquered UX challenges. Their stories weren’t just tales; they were immersive experiences, engaging and captivating anyone who ventured into their narratives.

In their quest to weave enchanting tales, they learned the wisdom of focusing on simplicity. They understood the power of emphasizing one core aspect, using their stories as a conduit to share their beliefs and values, and connecting with their audience on a profound level.

But these talented storytellers knew that their magic lay not only in the end result but in the journey itself. They prioritized showcasing the collaborative design process over the final outcomes, using vivid visuals to paint the picture of their creative odysseys.

And so, armed with the wisdom of their craft, they embarked on each narrative like seasoned adventurers. They delved into the depths of project inception, introduced their fellow companions in the form of team members, and narrated their design journey with all its twists and turns.

Their stories weren’t stagnant; they were vibrant tapestries of progression. Visual showcases adorned their narratives, displaying the evolution of their projects and inviting readers into a world of transformation and growth.

These storytellers crafted their prose with finesse. They wielded active voices, employing concise language that resonated with their readers. Their tales bore personal imprints, each word a brushstroke painting the canvas of their experiences.

In their enchanting narratives, they didn’t merely list terms; they incorporated the magical language of UX, ensuring clarity through feedback and weaving these terms seamlessly into their stories.

Their secret lay in continuous documentation — a magical journal of visuals and notes that chronicled their design adventures. This record wasn’t just for their tales but also served as a guide, a map through the realms of presentations and client interactions.

And thus, with every turn of the page, their narratives became not just stories but gateways to understanding, magic carpets that carried readers through the wonders of their design journeys. These were not just case studies; they were epic sagas waiting to be discovered.

#casestudy #storytelling #ux #uxdesign #uxresearch

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Mo Goltz
Mo Goltz

Written by Mo Goltz

Mo Goltz, has worked in-house and at startups as a UX Designer in Silicon Valley, and is a Research and Design Strategy consultant living in the midwest.