Hi, I'm Brick! I'm a writer, editor, and designer based in Seattle. I'm passionate about creating great experiences for humans, by humans. I'm a microcopy wizard who understands the crucial impact of great buttons, headlines, and descriptions. I bring my expertise, passion, and perspective to websites, software, graphics, print publications, and anything else with words that matter.
Download my resumeI spent over 10 years as a content designer in the Microsoft Developer Division. I contributed to a number of experiences, crafting thoughtful and seamless UI text in products like Visual Studio, VS Code, and the Azure portal.
I wrote and edited trivia questions for 1 vs. 100, a unique massively multiplayer offering on Xbox 360. I helped to pack every episode of this live, interactive game show with tons of humor, wit, and pop culture knowledge.
I thrived under constant deadline pressure as a copy editor and page designer in newsrooms around the Northwest, earning recognition from readers, peers, and colleagues for feature design and headline writing.
Some of my favorite design gigs have been pro bono for nonprofits, from large arts orgs to small military veteran groups. I've donated my time and skills to produce event websites, newsletters, T-shirts, stickers, and more.
Copy editing, proofreading, and content development
Publications, websites, and slide decks
Public speaking, workshops, and training
Audience, business goals, and overall impact
Chicago, Associated Press, and Microsoft style guides
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Microsoft PowerPoint, Figma
Microsoft (Office, Teams, SharePoint), Google Docs, FigJam, Zoom
HTML, CSS, XML, Markdown, Azure DevOps, GitHub, VS Code
1. What action does a developer want to take here?
Context dictates content. Think about the most likely actions that a developer would expect to take in your UI, and where they would expect to take those actions. Group similar concepts and choices.
A developer might want to:
2. What action do we want developers to take here?
Determine the shortest, most obvious path to success. Remove distractions. Make the most important, most likely actions the most prominent. Provide any necessary details that will help a developer take action with confidence.
We might want a developer to:
3. How will developers take this action?
UI text is situational and contextual. Most UI actions will involve some combination of typing, selection, and confirmation. Break down the final action into its logical individual steps. Place controls where developers will expect to take action.
Developers might take action by:
4. What other information about this action does a developer need?
Label the commands, controls, and objects that a developer will need to take their action. Be honest about limitations and consequences. For example, signing in to one service might sign a customer out of another.
Developers might need to know:
5. What's the best way to say it?
Good UI text is unremarkable. Use simple words and don't invent new ones. Rely on standard verbs and commonly understood nouns. Be consistent with the names of things. Be friendly, encouraging, and helpful. Use positive phrasing that matches the action that the developer expects to take. Confirm correct spelling and capitalization with your team's recommended style guide or dictionary.
Examples of good UI text:
UX design guidance, Microsoft Developer Division Design Studios (2023)
What's the fancy medical name for "writer's cramp"?
Which word first appeared in print in 1593?
Which of these things is NOT named for a British earl?
What winning pep squad does Sue Sylvester coach on "Glee"?
What famous fossil is one of the earliest found examples of homo erectus?
What was the name of Food Network chef Paula Deen's lunch catering service?
What frequent crossword puzzle answer means "a fever with chills"?
Ernest Vincent Wright's 1939 novel "Gadsby" is notable for its lack of what?
What popular outdoor dessert was introduced in a 1927 Girl Scouts guidebook?
"Divorced, beheaded, died; divorced, beheaded, survived" is a way to remember what?
Trivia questions for 1 vs. 100 on Xbox LIVE, Microsoft Game Studios (2008-09)
'Emily, I just had the strangest dream ... I was a statue in Chicago' — A&E story about Bob Newhart being honored (July 30, 2004)
Dancing partner has two left feet and one tail — Newsfeature about canine companions in dance classes (August 28, 2004)
Brother, can you spare $850,000?: If the city doesn't pick up an $850,000 bill for security at the Tall Ships Festival, the public might be asked to contribute. (October 28, 2004)
Ambience: *, cuisine: *, dining companion: **** — Newsfeature on Martha Stewart adjusting to life behind bars (November 29, 2004)
Where the streets are paved with Golden Arches: Fast food and a relative life of leisure are linked to obesity among immigrants who have been in the U.S. more than 10 years. (December 15, 2004)
Shameless Jezebels everywhere will rejoice: A state senator wants to repeal a 1909 law making it illegal to question a woman's virtue. (January 26, 2005)
hi :) do U want a low-rate mortgage?: Federal prosecutors charge a young man with sending 'spim,' or spam via instant messaging. He faces 18 years in prison. (February 19, 2005)
'Charm offensive' hits Europe: Bush meets with French leader, chides Russia for slipping on democracy (February 22, 2005)
Willard Scott will wish a 'Happy Birthday' to only one in 10,000: Scientists uncover three genes that will help people live past 100. Only one in 10,000 will reach that age. Many centenarians seem to be unaffected by environmental risks. (March 12, 2005)
It was the best of times, it was the worst (more): Cell phone owners in Japan use a new feature that puts full-length books on their phones. The service might come to the U.S. soon. (March 19, 2005)
Would you like an unknown band with that? — Newsfeature on music sold at Starbucks (May 11, 2005)
Headlines written for The News Tribune (2004-05).
Special recognition: First Place, Headline Writing (American Copy Editors Society, shared/team award); Second Place, Headline Writing (Best in the West)
