I’ve worked as a slashie for most of my career life. As a content designer with my extensive background in web development and digital systems, one thing I’ve noticed in my career is navigating the delicate balance between art and functionality in content design.

It’s a delicate dance, as creative artistry and functionality are often at odds with each other.

One one hand, as a content designer, you want your content to be engaging and pleasing to read, drawing in users with the various types of copy on the given interface.

On the other hand, you need your content to be functional, meet users need on a technical level, while also providing users with the information they are looking for in a clear and easily accessible way.

It’s like trying to say content design is like a beautiful painting that also serves a practical purpose.

As a painting may be visually stunning it must also fulfil a specific function, such as conveying a message or evoking emotion. Similarly, content design must strike a balance between engaging users and providing them with the information they need in a clear and accessible way. In both cases, beauty and functionality must work together harmoniously to create an effective end result.

So how do you navigate the tense tango between art and functionality in content design?

Here are some of the nuances I’ve learned and ways I managed to make the dance between art and functionality in content design work.

Functionality Wins

Your content and work can be the most beautifully striking, but it won’t be worth much if it is not functional. Before diving into designing the content, there are various parameters to consider to meet the purpose of your content, and the goal of your users. This comes down to user research and figuring out what they’re trying to accomplish.

Good content design in which instills self-directed learning and actions from the end user, as they are interacting with their digital application.

• What information are they looking for?
• How may they look for information for the tasks they need to accomplish?

Once establishing a clear understanding of the functionality of your content, you can think about how to design it in a way that is concise and engaging.

Designing with digital parameters in mind

Unlike print design, digital design has some specific parameters you need to keep in mind.

For example, you need to consider the size and resolution of the screen your content will be viewed on, as well as the limitations of different web browsers and devices.

Additionally, you need to consider how your content will adapt to different screen sizes and orientations, from desktop to mobile. By designing with these digital parameters in mind, you can ensure that your content is not only engaging but also functional and accessible across a range of devices and platforms.

Using creativity to enhance, not distract

Creativity is a powerful tool in content design, but it’s important to use it in a way that enhances the functionality of your content, rather than distracting from it. For example, using creative typography can be used to draw attention to key information, while still maintaining readability.

Similarly, images and graphics can be used to break up text and make content more visually engaging, while still supporting the overall message of the content. When using creativity in content design, it’s important to keep in mind the purpose and functionality of your content, and use creativity in a way that supports these goals.

Finding the sweet intersection

Ultimately, the key to navigating the tension between art and functionality in content design is to find the sweet spot where the two intersect. This requires a deep understanding of your audience, their goals, and the purpose of your content.

This may often take the form of ideating, various goal settings and presenting your content to many people, using data-driven insights and improving on the feedback as you.

By conducting content design with these factors in mind, you can create content that not only looks great, but also functions effectively, providing users with the information they need in a way that’s engaging and easy to navigate.

Content design is an ever-growing field that requires a delicate balance between art and functionality. By prioritising functionality, designing with digital parameters in mind, using creativity to enhance rather than distract, and finding the sweet intersection where art and functionality meet, you can create content that not only is engaging, but also functions effectively, providing users with the information they need.