Welcome to our roundup of the best new fonts we’ve found online in the last month. This month, there are notably fewer revivals and serifs and a lot more chunky sans serifs than usual. Enjoy!
If you ask anyone working in the design or printing sector about the use of recycled paper, you will most likely receive a response that is somewhat different from this one: printing on recycled paper is beneficial to the environment. The discourse rarely moves beyond this point to discuss the myriad of ways in which the utilization of recycled paper in commercial printing benefits all parties concerned, including everything. This is even though this is undeniably true.
If you are interested in reducing your overall carbon footprint or aligning yourself more closely with the interests and values of your consumers, selecting recycled business cards for commercial print projects such as direct mail, catalogs, brochures, sales and marketing collateral, and other similar projects offers a range of benefits.
Let’s take a quick look at five benefits of choosing recycled paper for commercial printing to help you better understand how and why it is important.
Did you know that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies landfills as the single largest source of methane emissions into the atmosphere and that the breakdown of paper is the major source of methane produced by landfills?
Because methane can trap more than twenty times the amount of heat that carbon dioxide does, it is one of the primary contributors to climate change. Therefore, it is essential to take measures to reduce methane emissions to ensure the health of the ecosystem.
However, selecting a recycled business card helps slow the rate at which landfills are filling up, which in turn lessens the quantity of damaging greenhouse gases that are generated by them. About eighty percent of paper thrown ends up in a landfill without ever being recycled.
In addition, this highlights the significance of recycling used paper and paper goods rather than simply disposing of them in the garbage can closest to you.
When recycled paper is compared to virgin paper, it typically has a higher opacity, which offers up some fascinating opportunities for cost savings and increases the opportunity for creative expression. In other words, the opacity of business cards is its ability to block the passage of light from one side to the other, and it is essential to consider this ability when printing projects such as books or pamphlets.
Since recycled business cards have a better opacity than virgin paper, it is possible to print on a lighter paper stock without compromising the quality of the print. Both advantages are present here:
Additionally, recycled fibers have a higher opacity than virgin cards, making them a more versatile option for designers and printers.
The manufacture of recycled paper utilizes around 26% less energy than the creation of virgin fiber, even though you might believe that the recycling process requires more resources than the production of conventional cards due to operations such as de-inking, shredding, and pulping.
Selecting recycled business cards results in about forty percent less wastewater being produced compared to virgin paper. This helps alleviate the strain placed on water treatment facilities and decreases the environmental effects caused by the transportation and disposal of wastewater.
However, the trade-off is that recycled business cards can be a bit more expensive than conventional cards. That’s why partnering with a supplier that only harvests from sustainably managed forests—one that plants new trees to replace the ones that are harvested for card production—can be a happy medium between controlling costs and making responsible choices for the long-term health of our environment.
According to a recent article published in Forbes, an increasing number of consumer demographics are placing sustainability and environmental responsibility at the top of their priority list when it comes to purchasing items or connecting with brands.
Using recycled business cards for print projects can be a powerful differentiator and strong selling point, and partnering with a paper provider that recognizes and values this shift in consumer sentiment is essential to align with what consumers want. The continued development of a more environmentally conscious consumer means that recycled paper can be used for print projects.
Using recycled paper in commercial printing helps minimize the number of trees that are cut down, which in turn contributes to the preservation of our forests. This may be a clear explanation.
However, there is more to it than that. A healthy forest system that is not excessively harvested to produce paper results in less soil erosion, the preservation of biodiversity, the maintenance of habitats for wildlife, and a reduction in the amount of greenhouse gasses released into the environment during the harvesting process.
Additionally, recycled business cards created from post-consumer material can be reused numerous times, which increases the environmental value of selecting a recycled fiber and reduces the impact of forest degradation.
In this regard, purchasing business cards produced from trees that originate from a managed forest can also reduce forest degradation and preserve a vibrant and healthy environment. Working with a card provider that sources its products from managed forests not only helps to create employment opportunities but also promotes the economies of the communities in which managed forests are located.
Featured image by rivage on Unsplash
The post How Can Recycled Business Cards Boost Your Brand In 2024? appeared first on noupe.
AI has influenced all industries, and the creative realm is no exception, including writing. While AI tools promise efficiency and a break from the drudgery of repetitive tasks, they also bring up a big question: Are we sacrificing creativity for convenience?
It’s essential to explore how AI tools might reshape the writing craft, and not always for the better. There’s something special about a piece crafted by a human essay writer that AI can’t replicate. For students seeking help with their essays, a human writer’s personal touch, nuanced understanding, and creative flair are irreplaceable. AI might be able to generate a complete essay on a given topic rapidly, but can it engage a reader’s emotions or offer original ideas as effectively? Let’s dive into the heart of this discussion.
You’ve probably noticed how some content nowadays feels a bit… off. That’s because they’re crafted by AI, which only repeats what’s already out there. The reliability of information is another concern. A 2023 study revealed that heavy reliance on AI for writing tasks reduces the accuracy of the results by 25.1%. How does AI write? AI tools analyze huge chunks of existing texts to produce content. While this can make writing faster, it also means the content can end up looking and sounding the same. Where’s the fun in reading something that feels like deja vu?
When writers lean too much on AI, they risk dulling their ability to think originally and expressively. For students, this is particularly risky. This is why AI is bad for education. Schools are supposed to be playgrounds for the mind, places where you can experiment with ideas and find your voice. If AI does too much of the work, students might miss out on developing these crucial skills.
AI tools are gaining popularity fast. In early 2023, ChatGPT set a record by reaching over 100 million monthly users in just two months after launch. While it has some undeniable advantages, this surge in the popularity of AI tools has caused certain challenges as well.
AI is all about algorithms, which means it loves patterns. But great writing isn’t just about sticking to patterns—it’s about breaking them sometimes. AI’s tendency to standardize could mean your next essay sounds like everyone else’s. Remember, the most memorable pieces of writing are those that reflect a unique perspective, something that AI just can’t mimic.
And it’s not just your voice that’s at risk. As more people use AI tools, there’s a tendency for all writing to start sounding similar. Think about it: if everyone uses the same tool, doesn’t it make sense that everyone’s output might start to look the same? This doesn’t just stifle individuality; it could flatten the entire landscape of literary styles, turning vibrant variety into boring uniformity.
Here’s a not-so-fun fact: when AI takes over the brainy bits of writing, you might disengage from the process. How does AI affect writers? It’s easy to become passive, watching as the AI assembles your thoughts. This is especially bad news for students, who need to flex their mental muscles by tackling complex writing tasks. Critical thinking is like a muscle—if you don’t use it, you lose it.
When AI scripts the show, the range of voices in literature might begin to narrow. Diversity in writing isn’t just about different themes or genres; it’s about different ways of seeing the world. If AI keeps us locked into a certain way of writing, we might start missing out on those fresh, exciting perspectives that come from real human experiences.
Looking ahead, the impact of AI on professional writing careers looks equally concerning. How is AI affecting education? Will future writers need to conform to AI standards to succeed? If so, we might see a drop in the quality and variety of professional writing as the push for AI efficiency overtakes the need for human creativity and insight.
Let’s take a look at a real example. In some classrooms, AI is bad for education because students use AI to polish their essays. At first glance, these essays look perfect. However, over time, teachers notice something troubling—the students’ work begins to lack depth and originality. They’re not learning to craft arguments or express unique ideas. Instead, they’re just learning to edit what AI produces. It’s a bit like painting by numbers: the end result might look good, but the process isn’t creative.
For learners, the stakes are high. Why is AI bad for students? Learning to write creatively is not just an academic exercise—it’s a way to learn how to think, argue, and persuade. If AI starts doing too much of this work, students could end up with a cookie-cutter education that fails to inspire or challenge them. What’s the point of learning to write if you’re not learning to think?
To keep AI in its rightful place as a tool rather than a replacement, writers need to focus on developing their own skills alongside the technology. Use AI to handle the repetitive parts of writing, like checking grammar, but make sure the ideas and the voice are unmistakably yours.
Schools and colleges have a crucial role to play in combating the negative effects of AI in education. They should encourage curricula that value creativity and individuality over the ability to use tools. Besides, online essay writer services can also help, offering students nuanced writing support. It’s about teaching students how to use technology wisely, enhancing their skills without overshadowing them.
Lastly, never underestimate the importance of the human touch. Writers need to stay in the driver’s seat, using AI as a navigator rather than letting it take the wheel. This means always being ready to question, modify, and ultimately oversee the content that AI helps produce, ensuring that each piece of writing reflects true human thought and creativity.
As we look toward the future, it’s clear that AI will change many aspects of our lives, but here’s the good news: AI will not replace writers. The essence of writing—conveying emotion, capturing the human experience, and sparking imagination—is inherently human. No matter how advanced AI gets, the depth, emotion, and personal touch you bring to your writing are yours alone. So use AI, but make every piece you write your own.
Featured Image by Parker Byrd on Unsplash
The post Creativity Crisis: Why Is AI Bad for Original Thinking in Writing? appeared first on noupe.
The modern digital landscape continues to reshape due to new artificial intelligence technologies. Its usage is already quite common in the user experience: customers interact with chatbots and virtual assistants, receive personalized recommendations, etc. That is possible due to the effective UX design resulting from AI-driven analytics.
Artificial intelligence assists experts during different stages of design thinking. However, 97% of professionals used AI mainly to process information gathered from users.
You’ll find answers to the above-mentioned questions here. Thus, let’s get started!
Users of the digital world utilize various apps, software, and services on a regular basis. Customer satisfaction directly influences the company’s metrics, such as ROI, customer, retention, etc. AI-driven analytics can be very helpful in providing evidence-based solutions. However, that requires artificial intelligence to undergo several data-processing stages.
Analytics requires data for processing. Thus, initially collect useful information on users, which falls into different categories:
Such volumes of data a company accumulates from different sources are not just mobile apps and websites. The Internet of Things devices provide relevant information too.
With enough data on users, artificial intelligence processes it. The goal is to define any patterns, trends, correlations, and anomalies. Such activity can show specific behavioral tendencies that are common within the audience.
These are the insights that UX designers can use. They show what actions users perform the most and in what way. Meanwhile, experts can improve the existing user interface to deliver a better experience.
To enhance this process, UX designers often collaborate with experts in LLM data analytics to interpret complex user behaviors and interactions. Incorporating data analytics allows for a more sophisticated analysis of large datasets, leading to more effective and user-centric design improvements.
The audience consists of unique individuals who share some similar features. Their differentiation into separate categories makes it easier to match their needs. Such a task requires lots of processing hours for humans, but not for AI.
As a result, designers can bring new features and interface solutions for smartphone users. Meanwhile, computer owners’ with their issues won’t be missed, and experts can approach and solve them in a tailored manner.
Predicting a user’s behavior requires taking into account multiple parameters. That is what artificial intelligence can successfully deal with. Through data analysis, it develops predictive models that may forecast the way users will interact. Such insights are useful to designers as they can:
A/B testing is a common practice that allows comparing one UX design with another. Quite often, this is a long-term process that helps to understand user behavior better. AI optimization of testing saves company resources, allowing designers to focus on improving the user experience itself.
As artificial intelligence never sleeps, it can evaluate incoming data in real-time. That greatly benefits designers of UX in multiple ways:
Artificial intelligence greatly boosts the interaction between humans and computers. Natural language processing involves comprehension of written, spoken, and even sign languages. AI understands not just the meaning of words, but also their style, context, and emotions. Such data allows designers to reproduce human-like communication via virtual assistants and chatbots. As a result, users obtain an elevated experience with a personalized approach.
Experts come up with UX designs that are effective and convenient to use. Meanwhile, AI is capable of interpreting complex data and delivering new solutions that:
Artificial intelligence tackles aspects of user experience that have been less studied before. That results in new approaches to creating top-notch UX design.
AI-powered tools already exist and help with design tasks. They automated various minor processes and steps that made the entire process easier. With some time they will become even better at understanding goals and will provide more precise solutions.
Figma, Adobe Firefly and Illustrator, Sketch, Axure RP, and other software offer automated design assistance as built-in features or plugins. Thus, designers can deliver high-quality UX with less effort.
Modern user experience design focuses on the elevation of personalization. An AI-driven approach greatly enhances this process, and it is capable of understanding and covering most audience preferences. That is the result of data processing on user purchasing behavior, browsing history, demographic details, etc.
Besides a satisfactory experience, the personalized design enhances conversion rates, positive reviews, and brand recognition.
Digital products and services always face challenges in remaining accessible to every user. Common interfaces are easy to navigate, but not for individuals with disabilities. Their experience is completely different. Therefore, modern AI-driven UX design has become more inclusive.
Artificial intelligence tools recognize visual and audio content and then interpret it for a user. That leads to the creation of inclusive UX designs that are easy to navigate. They also assist users with visual, auditory, cognitive, or motor impairments to interact with interfaces in the most effective ways:
Most websites, applications, and services utilize a common graphical interface design. However, AI made it possible to successfully implement voice commands in navigation. It requires processing spoken language, to comprehend the meaning correctly, regardless of poor pronunciation, dialects, grammar mistakes, etc.
Machine learning algorithms facilitate the improvement of language recognition accuracy. You can already encounter VUI in smart speakers, IoT devices, automotive systems, and virtual assistants.
To ensure that VUIs are as intuitive and user-friendly as their graphical counterparts, businesses increasingly turn to specialized ui ux design services. These ui ux design services focus on creating seamless, engaging voice interactions that cater to diverse user needs and preferences.
Artificial intelligence successfully offers and implements its solutions to enhance the user experience via innovative designs. Nevertheless, it is still far from being perfect. The use of AI has various concerns and issues that require human intervention.
Teaching AI is a huge challenge that requires significant resources. First, you need enough professionals to provide valuable content for learning. Next, these designers must have some skills and understanding of machine learning. Then, with AI analytics, it is possible to obtain some results.
As for the quality of the final product, it may vary depending on algorithms, learning data, and implementation.
Artificial intelligence is still a new technology for many experts. Making a shift to unknown or poorly understood tools doesn’t provide confidence. It requires time to foster the mindset of collaboration between user experience designers and AI-driven solutions.
Another reason to resist changes is the fear of job displacement. That reduces the willingness among experts to cooperate and teach artificial intelligence how to solve different UX tasks.
Machine learning requires data to learn, which is collected from users. Therefore, companies that develop artificial intelligence solutions store large volumes of information, which requires strong protection. That leads to the lack of trust in privacy and security measures that AI-driven design tools utilize.
AI-driven UX design requires developing a completely different workflow. It requires time for experts to learn how to utilize the tool effectively. Moreover, it may lack compatibility with existing software. As the implementation of AI leads to reduced work efficiency for a while, companies are less interested in such technologies.
Creativity is a strength of the human mind. AI-driven analytics still struggle to produce creative outcomes of enough quality. That is due to the limits of machine learning algorithms. They can absorb professional techniques and methods of UX design, but they cannot come up with original ideas. Therefore, AI requires collaboration with humans to provide decent results.
The training process for AI is very complicated. It requires filtering the incoming information to avoid mimicking of inappropriate human experience. Thus, bias and discriminatory outcomes may occur as a result of artificial intelligence processing. To avoid that, designers need additional effort to teach AI about equity, fairness, diversity, etiquette, etc.
Artificial intelligence continues to evolve and become better. With its bulk analytics, it can highlight patterns in user behavior and address issues appropriately. That is what we humans may not notice. AI-driven user experience design allows experts to meet the needs of the audience, even though there are some challenges. As artificial intelligence will improve significantly in the future, let’s be prepared to use it in our favor.
Featured Image by Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels
The post AI-Driven Analytics for User Experience Design appeared first on noupe.
Container queries are often considered a modern approach to responsive web design where traditional media queries have long been the gold standard — the reason being that we can create layouts made with elements that respond to, say, the width of their containers rather than the width of the viewport.
.parent {
container-name: hero-banner;
container-type: inline-size;
/* or container: hero-banner / inline-size; */
}
}
.child {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
}
/* When the container is greater than 60 characters... */
@container hero-banner (width > 60ch) {
/* Change the flex direction of the .child element. */
.child {
flex-direction: row;
}
}.cards {
container-name: card-grid;
container-type: inline-size;
/* Shorthand */
container: card-grid / inline-size;
}This example registers a new container named card-grid that can be queried by its inline-size, which is a fancy way of saying its “width” when we’re working in a horizontal writing mode. It’s a logical property. Otherwise, “inline” would refer to the container’s “height” in a vertical writing mode.
container-name property is used to register an element as a container that applies styles to other elements based on the container’s size and styles.container-type property is used to register an element as a container that can apply styles to other elements when it meets certain conditions.container property is a shorthand that combines the container-name and container-type properties into a single declaration.container-name property is optional. An unnamed container will match any container query that does not target a specific container, meaning it could match multiple conditions.container-type property is required if we want to query a container by its size or inline-size. The size refers to the container’s inline or block direction, whichever is larger. The inline-size refers to the container’s width in the default horizontal writing mode.container-type property’s default value is normal. And by “normal” that means all elements are containers by default, only they are called Style Containers and can only be queried by their applied styles. For example, we can query a container’s background-color value and apply styles to other elements when the value is a certain color value.background-color when it is a certain size — but we can change the background-color of any element inside the container. “You cannot style what you query” is a way to think about it.@container my-container (width > 60ch) {
article {
flex-direction: row;
}
}@container at-rule property informs the browser that we are working with a container query rather than, say, a media query (i.e., @media).my-container part in there refers to the container’s name, as declared in the container’s container-name property.article element represents an item in the container, whether it’s a direct child of the container or a further ancestor. Either way, the element must be in the container and it will get styles applied to it when the queried condition is matched.width can be queried with when the container-type property is set to either size or inline-size. That’s because size can query the element’s width or height; meanwhile, inline-size can only refer to the width.width (i.e., inline-size), there’s an element’s aspect-ratio, block-size (i.e., height), and orientation (e.g. portrait and landscape).>) and “less than” (<), but there is also “equals” (=) and combinations of the three, such as “more than or equal to” (>=) and “less than or equal to” (<=).and, or, and not.container-namecontainer-name: none | <custom-ident>+;none: The element does not have a container name. This is true by default, so you will likely never use this value, as its purpose is purely to set the property’s default behavior.default, none, at, no, and or. Note that the names are not wrapped in quotes.none
none or an ordered list of identifierscontainer-typecontainer-type: normal | size | inline-size;normal: This indicates that the element is a container that can be queried by its styles rather than size. All elements are technically containers by default, so we don’t even need to explicitly assign a container-type to define a style container.size: This is if we want to query a container by its size, whether we’re talking about the inline or block direction.inline-size: This allows us to query a container by its inline size, which is equivalent to width in a standard horizontal writing mode. This is perhaps the most commonly used value, as we can establish responsive designs based on element size rather than the size of the viewport as we would normally do with media queries.normal
containercontainer: <'container-name'> [ / <'container-type'> ]?If is omitted, it is reset to its initial value of normalwhich defines a style container instead of a size container. In other words, all elements are style containers by default, unless we explicitly set the container-type property value to either size or inline-size which allows us to query a container’s size dimensions.
none / normal
| Unit | Name | Equivalent to… |
|---|---|---|
cqw |
Container query width | 1% of the queried container’s width |
cqh |
Container query height | 1% of the queried container’s height |
| Unit | Name | Equivalent to… |
|---|---|---|
cqi |
Container query inline size | 1% of the queried container’s inline size, which is its width in a horizontal writing mode. |
cqb |
Container query block size | 1% of the queried container’s inline size, which is its height in a horizontal writing mode. |
| Unit | Name | Equivalent to… |
|---|---|---|
cqmin |
Container query minimum size | The value of cqi or cqb, whichever is smaller. |
cqmax |
Container query maximum size | The value of cqi or cqb, whichever is larger. |
Container Style Queries is another piece of the CSS Container Queries puzzle. Instead of querying a container by its size or inline-size, we can query a container’s CSS styles. And when the container’s styles meet the queried condition, we can apply styles to other elements. This is the sort of “conditional” styling we’ve wanted on the web for a long time: If these styles match over here, then apply these other styles over there.
CSS Container Style Queries are only available as an experimental feature in modern web browsers at the time of this writing, and even then, style queries are only capable of evaluating CSS custom properties (i.e., variables).
The feature is still considered experimental at the time of this writing and is not supported by any browser, unless enabled through feature flags.
This browser support data is from Caniuse, which has more detail. A number indicates that browser supports the feature at that version and up.
| Chrome | Firefox | IE | Edge | Safari |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 128 | No | No | 125 | TP |
| Android Chrome | Android Firefox | Android | iOS Safari |
|---|---|---|---|
| 125 | No | 125 | No |
article {
container-name: card;
}That’s really it! Actually, we don’t even need the container-name property unless we need to target it specifically. Otherwise, we can skip registering a container altogether.
And if you’re wondering why there’s no container-type declaration, that’s because all elements are already considered containers. It’s a lot like how all elements are position: relative by default; there’s no need to declare it. The only reason we would declare a container-type is if we want a CSS Container Size Query instead of a CSS Container Style Query.
So, really, there is no need to register a container style query because all elements are already style containers right out of the box! The only reason we’d declare container-name, then, is simply to help select a specific container by name when writing a style query.
@container style(--bg-color: #000) {
p { color: #fff; }
}In this example, we’re querying any matching container (because all elements are style containers by default).
Notice how the syntax it’s a lot like a traditional media query? The biggest difference is that we are writing @container instead of @media. The other difference is that we’re calling a style() function that holds the matching style condition. This way, a style query is differentiated from a size query, although there is no corresponding size() function.
In this instance, we’re checking if a certain custom property named --bg-color is set to black (#000). If the variable’s value matches that condition, then we’re setting paragraph (p) text color to white (#fff).
.card-wrapper {
--bg-color: #000;
}
.card {
@container style(--bg-color: #000) {
/* Custom CSS */
}
}@container style(--featured: true) {
article {
grid-column: 1 / -1;
}
@container style(--theme: dark) {
article {
--bg-color: #000;
--text: #fff;
}
}
}CSS Container Queries are defined in the CSS Containment Module Level 3 specification, which is currently in Editor’s Draft status at the time of this writing.
Browser support for CSS Container Size Queries is great. It’s just style queries that are lacking support at the time of this writing.
This browser support data is from Caniuse, which has more detail. A number indicates that browser supports the feature at that version and up.
| Chrome | Firefox | IE | Edge | Safari |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 106 | 110 | No | 106 | 16.0 |
| Android Chrome | Android Firefox | Android | iOS Safari |
|---|---|---|---|
| 125 | 126 | 125 | 16.0 |
In this example, a “card” component changes its layout based on the amount of available space in its container.
This example is a lot like those little panels for signing up for an email newsletter. Notice how the layout changes three times according to how much available space is in the container. This is what makes CSS Container Queries so powerful: you can quite literally drop this panel into any project and the layout will respond as it should, as it’s based on the space it is in rather than the size of the browser’s viewport.
This component displays a series of “steps” much like a timeline. In wider containers, the stepper displays steps horizontally. But if the container becomes small enough, the stepper shifts things around so that the steps are vertically stacked.
Sometimes we like to decorate buttons with an icon to accentuate the button’s label with a little more meaning and context. And sometimes we don’t know just how wide that button will be in any given context, which makes it tough to know when exactly to hide the icon or re-arrange the button’s styles when space becomes limited. In this example, an icon is displayed to the right edge of the button as long as there’s room to fit it beside the button label. If room runs out, the button becomes a square tile that stacks the icons above the label. Notice how the border-radius is set in container query units, 4cqi, which is equal to 4% of the container’s inline-size (i.e. width) and results in rounder edges as the button grows in size.
Pagination is a great example of a component that benefits from CSS Container Queries because, depending on the amount of space we have, we can choose to display links to individual pages, or hide them in favor of only two buttons, one to paginate to older content and one to paginate to newer content.
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CSS Container Queries originally published on CSS-Tricks, which is part of the DigitalOcean family. You should get the newsletter.
Arranging content in an easily accessible way is the backbone of any user-friendly website. A good website will present that information well while conveying a coherent brand identity. A great site will go one step further to create an emotional response in the user.
For UX researchers and designers, our journey doesn’t end with meticulously gathered data or well-crafted design concepts saved on our laptops or in the cloud. Our true impact lies in effectively communicating research findings and design concepts to key stakeholders and securing their buy-in for implementing our user-centered solutions. This is where persuasion and communication theory become powerful tools, empowering UX practitioners to bridge the gap between research and action.
I shared a framework for conducting UX research in my previous article on infusing communication theory and UX. In this article, I’ll focus on communication and persuasion considerations for presenting our research and design concepts to key stakeholder groups.
A Word On Persuasion: Guiding Understanding, Not Manipulation
UX professionals can strategically use persuasion techniques to turn complex research results into clear, practical recommendations that stakeholders can understand and act on. It’s crucial to remember that persuasion is about helping people understand what to do, not tricking them. When stakeholders see the value of designing with the user in mind, they become strong partners in creating products and services that truly meet user needs. We’re not trying to manipulate anyone; we’re trying to make sure our ideas get the attention they deserve in a busy world.
The Hovland-Yale model, a framework for understanding how persuasion works, was developed by Carl Hovland and his team at Yale University in the 1950s. Their research was inspired by World War II propaganda, as they wanted to figure out what made some messages more convincing than others.
In the Hovland-Yale model, persuasion is understood as a process involving the Independent variables of Source, Message, and Audience. The elements of each factor then lead to the Audience having internal mediating processes around the topic, which, if independent variables are strong enough, can strengthen or change attitudes or behaviors. The interplay of the internal mediating processes leads to persuasion or not, which then leads to the observable effect of the communication (or not, if the message is ineffective). The model proposes that if these elements are carefully crafted and applied, the intended change in attitude or behavior (Effect) is more likely to be successful.
The diagram below helps identify the parts of persuasive communication. It shows what you can control as a presenter, how people think about the message and the impact it has. If done well, it can lead to change. I’ll focus exclusively on the independent variables in the far left side of the diagram in this article because, theoretically, this is what you, as the outside source creating a persuasive message, are in control of and, if done well, would lead to the appropriate mediating processes and desired observable effects.
Effective communication can reinforce currently held positions. You don’t always need to change minds when presenting research; much of what we find and present might align with currently held beliefs and support actions our stakeholders are already considering.
Over the years, researchers have explored the usefulness and limitations of this model in various contexts. I’ve provided a list of citations at the end of this article if you are interested in exploring academic literature on the Hovland-Yale model. Reflecting on some of the research findings can help shape how we create and deliver our persuasive communication. Some consistent from academia highlight that:
I’ll cover the impact of each of these bullets on UX research and design presentations in the relevant sections below.
It’s important to note that while the Hovland-Yale model provides valuable insight into persuasive communication, it remains a simplification of a complex process. Actual attitude change and decision-making can be influenced by a multitude of other factors not covered in this model, like emotional states, group dynamics, and more, necessitating a multi-faceted approach to persuasion. However, the model provides a manageable framework to strengthen the communication of UX research findings, with a focus on elements that are within the control of the researcher and product team. I’ll break down the process of presenting findings to various audiences in the following section.
Let’s move into applying the models to our work as UX practitioners with a focus on how the model applies to how we prepare and present our findings to various stakeholders. You can reference the diagram above as needed as we move through the Independent variables.
Applying The Hovland-Yale Model To Presenting Your UX Research Findings
Let’s break down the key parts of the Hovland-Yale model and see how we can use them when presenting our UX research and design ideas.
Source
Revised: The Hovland-Yale model stresses that where a message comes from greatly affects how believable and effective it is. Research shows that a convincing source needs to be seen as dependable, informed, and trustworthy. In UX research, this source is usually the researcher(s) and other UX team members who present findings, suggest actions, lead workshops, and share design ideas. It’s crucial for the UX team to build trust with their audience, which often includes users, stakeholders, and designers.
You can demonstrate and strengthen your credibility throughout the research process and once again when presenting your findings.
You should start building your expertise and credibility before you even finish your research. Often, stakeholders will have already formed an opinion about your work before you even walk into the room. Here are a couple of ways to boost your reputation before or at the beginning of a project:
Case Studies
A well-written case study about your past work can be a great way to show stakeholders the benefits of user-centered design. Make sure your case studies match what your stakeholders care about. Don’t just tell an interesting story; tell a story that matters to them. Understand their priorities and tailor your case study to show how your UX work has helped achieve goals like higher ROI, happier customers, or lower turnover. Share these case studies as a document before the project starts so stakeholders can review them and get a positive impression of your work.
Thought Leadership
Sharing insights and expertise that your UX team has developed is another way to build credibility. This kind of “thought leadership” can establish your team as the experts in your field. It can take many forms, like blog posts, articles in industry publications, white papers, presentations, podcasts, or videos. You can share this content on your website, social media, or directly with stakeholders.
For example, if you’re about to start a project on gathering customer feedback, share any relevant articles or guides your team has created with your stakeholders before the project kickoff. If you are about to start developing a voice of the customer program and you happen to have Victor or Dana on your team, share their article on creating a VoC to your group of stakeholders prior to the kickoff meeting. [Shameless self-promotion and a big smile emoji].
You can also build credibility and trust while discussing your research and design, both during the project and when you present your final results.
Business Goals Alignment
To really connect with stakeholders, make sure your UX goals and the company’s business goals work together. Always tie your research findings and design ideas back to the bigger picture. This means showing how your work can affect things like customer happiness, more sales, lower costs, or other important business measures. You can even work with stakeholders to figure out which measures matter most to them. When you present your designs, point out how they’ll help the company reach its goals through good UX.
Industry Benchmarks
These days, it’s easier to find data on how other companies in your industry are doing. Use this to your advantage! Compare your findings to these benchmarks or even to your competitors. This can help stakeholders feel more confident in your work. Show them how your research fits in with industry trends or how it uncovers new ways to stand out. When you talk about your designs, highlight how you’ve used industry best practices or made changes based on what you’ve learned from users.
Methodological Transparency
Be open and honest about how you did your research. This shows you know what you’re doing and that you can be trusted. For example, if you were looking into why fewer people are renewing their subscriptions to a fitness app, explain how you planned your research, who you talked to, how you analyzed the data, and any challenges you faced. This transparency helps people accept your research results and builds trust.
Here are some specific ways to make your design concepts more believable and trustworthy to stakeholders:
Ground Yourself in Research. You’ve done the research, so use it! Make sure your design decisions are based on your findings and user data. When you present, highlight the data that supports your choices.
Go Beyond Mockups. It’s helpful for stakeholders to see your designs in action. Static mockups are a good start, but try creating interactive prototypes that show how users will move through and use your design. This is especially important if you’re creating something new that stakeholders might have trouble visualizing.
User Quotes and Testimonials. Include quotes or stories from users in your presentation. This makes the process more personal and shows that you’re focused on user needs. You can use these quotes to explain specific design choices.
Before & After Impact. Use visuals or user journey maps to show how your design solution improves the user experience. If you’ve mapped out the current user journey or documented existing problems, show how your new design fixes those problems. Don’t leave stakeholders guessing about your design choices. Briefly explain why you made key decisions and how they help users or achieve business goals. You should have research and stakeholder input to back up your decisions.
Show Your Process. When presenting a more developed concept, show the work that led up to it. Don’t just share the final product. Include early sketches, wireframes, or simple prototypes to show how the design evolved and the reasoning behind your choices. This is especially helpful for executives or stakeholders who haven’t been involved in the whole process.
Be Open to Feedback and Iteration. Work together with stakeholders. Show that you’re open to their feedback and explain how their input can help you improve your designs.
Much of what I’ve covered above are also general best practices for presenting. Remember, these are just suggestions. You don’t have to use every single one to make your presentations more persuasive. Try different things, see what works best for you and your stakeholders, and have fun with it! The goal is to build trust and credibility with your UX team.
Message
The Hovland-Yale model, along with most other communication models, suggests that what you communicate is just as important as how you communicate it. In UX research, your message is usually your insights, data analysis, findings, and recommendations.
I’ve touched on this in the previous section because it’s hard to separate the source (who’s talking) from the message (what they’re saying). For example, building trust involves being transparent about your research methods, which is part of your message. So, some of what I’m about to say might sound familiar.
For this article, let’s define the message as your research findings and everything that goes with them (e.g., what you say in your presentation, the slides you use, other media), as well as your design concepts (how you show your design solutions, including drawings, wireframes, prototypes, and so on).
The Hovland-Yale model says it’s important to make your message easy to understand, relevant, and impactful. For example, instead of just saying,
“30% of users found the signup process difficult.”
you could say,
“30% of users struggled to sign up because the process was too complicated. This could lead to fewer renewals. Making the signup process easier could increase renewals and improve the overall experience.”
Storytelling is also a powerful way to get your message across. Weaving your findings into a narrative helps people connect with your data on a human level and remember your key points. Using real quotes or stories from users makes your presentation even more compelling.
Here are some other tips for delivering a persuasive message:
When presenting design concepts, it’s important to tell, not just show, what you’re proposing. Stakeholders might not have a deep understanding of UX, so just showing them screenshots might not be enough. Use user stories to walk them through the redesigned experience. This helps them understand how users will interact with your design and what benefits it will bring. Static screens show the “what,” but user stories reveal the “why” and “how.” By focusing on the user journey, you can demonstrate how your design solves problems and improves the overall experience.
For example, if you’re suggesting changes to the search bar and adding tooltips, you could say:
“Imagine a user lands on the homepage and sees the new, larger search bar. They enter their search term and get results. If they see an unfamiliar tool or a new action, they can hover over it to see a brief description.”
Here are some other ways to make your design concepts clearer and more persuasive:
One final note on the message is that research has found the likelihood of an audience’s attitude change is also dependent on the channel of communication. Mass media is found to be less effective in changing attitudes than face-to-face communication. Distributed teams and remote employees can employ several strategies to compensate for any potential impact reduction of asynchronous communication:
The way you frame an issue can greatly influence how stakeholders see it. Framing is a persuasion technique that can help your message resonate more deeply with specific stakeholders. Essentially, you want to frame your message in a way that aligns with your stakeholders’ attitudes and values and presents your solution as the next logical step. There are many resources on how to frame messages, as this technique has been used often in public safety and public health research to encourage behavior change. This article discusses applying framing techniques for digital design.
You can also frame issues in a way that motivates your stakeholders. For example, instead of calling usability issues “problems,” I like to call them “opportunities.” This emphasizes the potential for improvement. Let’s say your research on a hospital website finds that the appointment booking process is confusing. You could frame this as an opportunity to improve patient satisfaction and maybe even reduce call center volume by creating a simpler online booking system. This way, your solution is a win-win for both patients and the hospital. Highlighting the positive outcomes of your proposed changes and using language that focuses on business benefits and user satisfaction can make a big difference.
Audience
Understanding your audience’s goals is essential before embarking on any research or design project. It serves as the foundation for tailoring content, supporting decision-making processes, ensuring clarity and focus, enhancing communication effectiveness, and establishing metrics for evaluation.
One specific aspect to consider is securing buy-in from the product and delivery teams prior to beginning any research or design. Without their investment in the outcomes and input on the process, it can be challenging to find stakeholders who see value in a project you created in a vacuum. Engaging with these teams early on helps align expectations, foster collaboration, and ensure that the research and design efforts are informed by the organization’s objectives.
Once you’ve identified your key stakeholders and secured buy-in, you should then Map the Decision-Making Process or understand the decision-making process your audience goes through, including the pain points, considerations, and influencing factors.
Understanding the decision-making process will enable you to provide the necessary information and support at each stage.
Finally, prior to engaging in any work, set clear objectives with your key stakeholders. Your UX team needs to collaborate with the product and delivery teams to establish clear objectives for the research or design project. These objectives should align with the organization’s goals and the audience’s needs.
By understanding your audience’s goals and involving the product and delivery teams from the outset, you can create research and design outcomes that are relevant, impactful, and aligned with the organization’s objectives.
As the source of your message, it’s your job to understand who you’re talking to and how they see the issue. Different stakeholders have different interests, goals, and levels of knowledge. It’s important to tailor your communication to each of these perspectives. Adjust your language, what you emphasize, and the complexity of your message to suit your audience. Technical jargon might be fine for technical stakeholders, but it could alienate those without a technical background.
Remember, your audience’s existing opinions, intelligence, and self-esteem play a big role in how persuasive you can be. Research suggests that people with higher intelligence tend to be more resistant to persuasion, while those with moderate self-esteem are easier to persuade than those with very low or very high self-esteem. Understanding your audience is key to giving a persuasive presentation of your UX research and design concepts. Tailoring your communication to address the specific concerns and interests of your stakeholders can significantly increase the impact of your findings.
To truly know your audience, you need information about who you’ll be presenting to, and the more you know, the better. At the very least, you should identify the different groups of stakeholders in your audience. This could include designers, developers, product managers, and executives. If possible, try to learn more about your key stakeholders. You could interview them at the beginning of your process, or you could give them a short survey to gauge their attitudes and behaviors toward the area your UX team is exploring.
Then, your UX team needs to decide the following:
Your answers to the previous questions will help you focus on what matters most to each stakeholder group. For example, designers might be more interested in usability issues, while executives might care more about the business impact. If you’re presenting to a mixed audience, include a mix of information and be ready to highlight what’s relevant to each group in a way that grabs their attention. Adapt your communication style to match each group’s preferences. Provide technical details for developers and emphasize user experience benefits for executives.
Let’s say you did UX research for a mobile banking app, and your audience includes designers, developers, and product managers.
Designers:
Developers:
Product Managers:
By tailoring your presentation to each group, you make sure your message really hits home. This makes it more likely that they’ll support your UX research findings and work together to make decisions.
The end goal of presenting your findings and design concepts is to get key stakeholders to take action based on what you learned from users. Make sure the impact of your research is crystal clear. Talk about how your findings relate to business goals, customer happiness, and market success (if those are relevant to your product). Suggest clear, actionable next steps in the form of design concepts and encourage feedback and collaboration from stakeholders. This builds excitement and gets people invested. Make sure to answer any questions and ask for more feedback to show that you value their input. Remember, stakeholders play a big role in the product’s future, so getting them involved increases the value of your research.
Your audience needs to know what you want them to do. End your presentation with a strong call to action (CTA). But to do this well, you need to be clear on what you want them to do and understand any limitations they might have.
For example, if you’re presenting to the CEO, tailor your CTA to their priorities. Focus on the return on investment (ROI) of user-centered design. Show how your recommendations can increase sales, improve customer satisfaction, or give the company a competitive edge. Use clear visuals and explain how user needs translate into business benefits. End with a strong, action-oriented statement, like
“Let’s set up a meeting to discuss how we can implement these user-centered design recommendations to reach your strategic goals.”
If you’re presenting to product managers and business unit leaders, focus on the business goals they care about, like increasing revenue or reducing customer churn. Explain your research findings in terms of ROI. For example, a strong CTA could be:
“Let’s try out the redesigned checkout process and aim for a 10% increase in conversion rates next quarter.”
Remember, the effects of persuasive messages can fade over time, especially if the source isn’t seen as credible. This means you need to keep reinforcing your message to maintain its impact.
Persuasion is about guiding understanding, not tricking people. Be upfront about any limitations your audience might have, like budget constraints or limited development resources. Anticipate their concerns and address them in your CTA. For example, you could say,
“I know implementing the entire redesign might need more resources, so let’s prioritize the high-impact changes we found in our research to improve the checkout process within our current budget.”
By considering both your desired outcome and your audience’s perspective, you can create a clear, compelling, and actionable CTA that resonates with stakeholders and drives user-centered design decisions.
Finally, remember that presenting your research findings and design concepts isn’t the end of the road. The effects of persuasive messages can fade over time. Your team should keep looking for ways to reinforce key messages and decisions as you move forward with implementing solutions. Keep your presentations and concepts in a shared folder, remind people of the reasoning behind decisions, and be flexible if there are multiple ways to achieve the desired outcome. Showing how you’ve addressed stakeholder goals and concerns in your solution will go a long way in maintaining credibility and trust for future projects.
You and your UX team are likely already incorporating elements of persuasion into your work. It might be helpful to track how you are doing this to reflect on what works, what doesn’t, and where there are gaps. I’ve provided a spreadsheet in Figure 3 below for you to modify and use as you might see fit. I’ve included sample data to provide an example of what type of information you might want to record. You can set up the structure of a spreadsheet like this as you think about kicking off your next project, or you can fill it in with information from a recently completed project and reflect on what you can incorporate more in the future.
Please use the spreadsheet below as a suggestion and make additions, deletions, or changes as best suited to meet your needs. You don’t need to be dogmatic in adhering to what I’ve covered here. Experiment, find what works best for you, and have fun.
| Project Phase | Persuasion Element | Topic | Description | Example | Notes/ Reflection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Presentation | Audience | Stakeholder Group | Identify the specific audience segment (e.g., executives, product managers, marketing team) | Executives | |
| Message | Message Objectives | What specific goals do you aim to achieve with each group? (e.g., garner funding, secure buy-in for specific features) | Secure funding for continued app redesign | ||
| Source | Source Credibility | How will you establish your expertise and trustworthiness to each group? (e.g., past projects, relevant data) | Highlighted successful previous UX research projects & strong user data analysis skills | ||
| Message | Message Clarity & Relevance | Tailor your presentation language and content to resonate with each audience’s interests and knowledge level | Presented a concise summary of key findings with a focus on potential ROI and revenue growth for executives | ||
| Presentation & Feedback | Source | Attention Techniques | How did you grab each group’s interest? (e.g., visuals, personal anecdotes, surprising data) | Opened presentation with a dramatic statistic about mobile banking app usage | |
| Message | Comprehension Strategies | Did you ensure understanding of key information? (e.g., analogies, visuals, Q&A) | Used relatable real-world examples and interactive charts to explain user research findings | ||
| Message | Emotional Appeals | Did you evoke relevant emotions to motivate action? (e.g., fear of missing out, excitement for potential) | Highlighted potential revenue growth and improved customer satisfaction with app redesign | ||
| Message | Retention & Application | What steps did you take to solidify key takeaways and encourage action? (e.g., clear call to action, follow-up materials) | Ended with a concise call to action for funding approval and provided detailed research reports for further reference | ||
| Audience | Stakeholder Feedback | Record their reactions, questions, and feedback during and after the presentation | Executives impressed with user insights, product managers requested specific data breakdowns | ||
| Analysis & Reflection | Effect | Effective Strategies & Outcomes | Identify techniques that worked well and their impact on each group | Executives responded well to the emphasis on business impact, leading to conditional funding approval | |
| Feedback | Improvements for Future Presentations | Note areas for improvement in tailoring messages and engaging each stakeholder group | Consider incorporating more interactive elements for product managers and diversifying data visualizations for wider appeal | ||
| Analysis | Quantitative Metrics | Track changes in stakeholder attitudes | Conducted a follow-up survey to measure stakeholder agreement with design recommendations before and after the presentation | Assess effectiveness of the presentation |
Figure 3: Example of spreadsheet categories to track the application of the Hovland-Yale model to your presentation of UX Research findings.
Foundational Works
Contemporary Applications
As companies scale and their customer base expands, the demand for managing clients and meeting growth targets intensifies exponentially.
Enter client management tools that simplify task and activity workflows. This software empowers teams to channel their energies where it truly counts: delivering unparalleled customer service.
With client management software, businesses can confidently navigate the complexities of scaling, ensuring that each interaction with their valued clientele remains exceptional.
With so many market options, it can be difficult to make the right choice. But don’t fret—we’ve done the leg work for you and created a list of the 8 best client management tools for 2024. Let’s get started!
Client management tools are designed to streamline and enhance managing customer relationships. These tools typically offer features like contact management, communication tracking, task automation, and analytics features.
These tools enable businesses to provide exceptional customer service, optimize workflows, and drive growth and profitability by centralizing client data and facilitating efficient communication and task management.
We followed a four-step selection criteria—
Jotform sets itself apart from other client management tools by offering users a unique workflow automation capability with its form builder, tables, approvals, and teams products.
Jotform’s lead generation templates are customizable based on your business type, nature, and purpose, allowing you to enlarge your database in an automated way. You can confidently strengthen your team’s communication with clients with the forms you create. You can also use your data offline, download it, or utilize Jotform’s no-code app builder to develop a mobile application.
Jotform is available on the free plan with a limit of 100 monthly submissions and 5 forms. Additionally, Jotform offers discounts to non-profit organizations and educational institutions.
Pros
Cons
TechRadar ranked Salesforce the #1 client management tool in 2024. Salesforce Customer 360 is an intelligent, proactive, and AI-powered platform that helps customers make the best business decisions.
It’s an all-around sales pipeline management tool that integrates with software like Slack, Mulesoft, Tableau, etc.
When it comes to contact management, Salesforce gives you a clear picture of your clients, their activity history, key contacts, customer communication, and internal account discussions.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of this platform—
Pros
Cons
Most customers state that Salesforce’s expensive prices are one of the biggest reasons they don’t choose it. However, if the price point is not an issue for your organization, go for it!
Hubspot’s CRM is a well-known client management tool for SMBs and enterprises. Its flexible, easy-to-use interface makes it easy to track emails, track sales lead, schedule meetings, and live chat to stay connected with your clients on the go.
It can help you centralize your sales activities, making it easy to track leads, manage contacts, and stay organized. You can identify the most promising leads based on their engagement level and behavior, enabling you to focus your efforts on customers with the highest likelihood of conversion.
Its integration with Pipedrive, Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Clearbit, etc, makes it easy for customers to maintain and navigate through data on a single platform.
Pros
Cons
Hubspot offers the perfect alternative to Salesforce’s higher price point. The free plan provides good features like shared inbox space and live chat. However, a word of caution would be that it is very expensive, especially if you’re looking for small businesses or startups tools. The monthly sales seat costs start from $100 and require a mandatory onboarding service.
Nifty isn’t just for project management—it’s your all-in-one client management software. Designed to streamline client interactions, boost team productivity, and ensure deadlines are met, Nifty is a game-changer for client-centric businesses.
Key Features:
Client Communication: Seamless client communication with real-time chat, file sharing, and discussion threads.
Task Management: Intuitive task management system with due dates, priorities, and dependencies for efficient project execution.
Project Tracking: Milestones, deadlines, and task progress tracking for a clear overview of project status.
Time Tracking: Log billable hours and track team productivity for accurate client billing.
Integrations: Connect with Google Drive, Slack, Zoom, and more to enhance collaboration.
Pros:
Cons:
Bitrix is much more than a CRM. It’s a useful tool for customer support, and it comes with its own Customer Contact Center so you can solve customer queries in real-time.
It also helps businesses set up automated support, create websites, or set up a chat network for their websites. They come with task and project management tools, CRM, chats, video calls, a website builder, telephony, CRM marketing and analytics, and more.
Bitrix24’s cloud-based nature empowers a modern, distributed workforce. Team members can collaborate and access the platform from anywhere there’s an internet connection.
Bitrix24 offers a free plan with a surprising amount of functionality which is a huge plus. It lets smaller businesses and teams experiment extensively before committing to a paid plan.
Pros
Cons
Zoho CRM acts as an all-in-one platform. It allows you to monitor leads behavior and customer buyer preferences and view price lists of documents without changing applications.
One of the biggest differentiators between Zoho CRM and others on the list is its omnichannel approach. This allows businesses to engage with clients via whichever medium they prefer, whether email or telephone, etc.
It also offers its own AI assistance. Zia Voice can help retrieve information, update accounts, and generate reports. It is the perfect combination of usability, customization, functionality, and extensibility to help different-sized industries manage client relationships.
Pros
Cons
ClickUp is a hub where teams come together to make client management easy and collaborative. The well-organized layout allows users to find what they need quickly without any confusion.
It provides robust task management capabilities, allowing users to organize, prioritize, and track tasks effortlessly.
One of ClickUp’s standout features is its automation functionality.
You can automate repetitive tasks, notifications, and workflows, saving time and reducing manual effort. The automation options are highly customizable, allowing users to tailor them to their specific workflow requirements.
Pros
Cons
Using Freshsales Suite, your marketing virtual assistants teams can organize customer information, personalize and automate emails, and find the right sales opportunities.
With Freshworks’ CRM, Freshsales, sales managers can guide leads through the sales process from first contact to closing.
The built-in email, phone, chat, and telephone give sales teams more time to sell and increase efficiency and productivity in their daily tasks. With Freddy AI, salespeople can get insights into the best deals to go after and what actions to take, as well as predict revenue with sales forecasting.
Pros
Cons
Monday.com is best suited for small—to medium-sized organizations, helping them manage the entire sales cycle, from pre- to post-sales.
It supports contact management, and its templates allow you to create personalized emails that are automatically complete with contact information, sync emails sent and received, record meeting notes, and view all communication in a single timeline.
You can automate workflows to reduce administrative and repetitive tasks and streamline communication. However, remember that the number of actions is limited to 250 per seat per month unless you upgrade to a higher plan.
Pros
Cons
Note that this list is not exhaustive and that more tools are available.
Moving on—
If there’s one thing we’ve noticed about these tools, they are quite expensive and require a learning curve. However, many resources on the tool’s website can educate you on the inside out.
Client management tools are essential to your workflow if you want to build a steady and positive relationship with your clients. Remember to choose the one tool that matches your business objectives and goals.
Featured Image by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash
The post Client Management Tools Unleashed: 9 Best Picks for 2024 appeared first on noupe.
With a staggering 954 data breaches reported in the U.S. schooling system, 2023 smashed all the records—nearly seven times the previous year’s figures.
This trend uncovers a harsh reality: educational institutions’ data is in danger. According to the Comparitech Report, since 2005, a total of 2,691 data breaches have rocked the U.S. education sector, putting millions of student records at risk.
From the massive Illuminate Education breach in 2021, which affected over 605 institutions, to misconfigured cloud storage leaks at McGraw Hill, which affected over 100,000 students, the vulnerabilities are real, and the consequences are severe.
FERPA compliance has never been more critical. But what exactly does it mean for your school or college?
This guide will help you understand your obligations under the FERPA – Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, identify potential pitfalls and implement practical strategies to protect your students, your institution, and the trust of your community.
FERPA is a cornerstone of US education privacy law. It grants important rights to parents and eligible students.
It also sets the standards that educational institutions must follow. Here’s a breakdown of the key aspects:
But FERPA doesn’t only grant rights. The Act also orders robust data security practices for schools that receive federal funds.
This protection extends to FERPA-specific data and all sensitive student information.
Here’s what schools must do to protect data:
When it comes to FERPA, even seemingly minor mistakes can have major consequences. Here are some common pitfalls and how to steer clear of them:
Neglecting Security Basics
Unfortunately, lost laptops, weak passwords, and phishing scams are common ways student data is compromised.
Don’t underestimate the importance of basic security practices.
Mishandling Record Requests
Establish a transparent, well-documented process for handling requests from parents and students to view or modify their records.
Ambiguity Around Directory Information
Clearly define what constitutes directory information and make the opt-out process easy and transparent for parents.
FERPA violations carry significant consequences for educational institutions. Failing to follow these regulations can result in various penalties, impacting the institution and its personnel.
These consequences include:
FERPA compliance is a fundamental responsibility of educational institutions to their students and the broader community. By prioritizing data protection and privacy, institutions safeguard student information and uphold the trust essential for a thriving learning environment.
The digital age presents unique hurdles for FERPA compliance:
Don’t let these challenges overwhelm you. Here’s your roadmap to proactive FERPA compliance:
FERPA compliance is an ongoing commitment to safeguarding student privacy and building trust within your educational community.
By embracing a proactive, holistic approach, you can achieve compliance and create a safe and secure learning environment for your students.
Featured image by Elisa Calvet B. on Unsplash
The post FERPA Compliance in the Digital Age: A Guide for Educational Institutions appeared first on noupe.
In this month’s roundup of the best tools for web designers and developers, we’ll explore a range of new and noteworthy tools designed to enhance various aspects of your daily tasks. Whether you’re looking to balance your work and life more effectively, find inspiration for web interactions, or streamline your development process, there’s something here for everyone. Enjoy!
