Designing HTTP Error States
Lyearn | September 2021
Lyearn used to be a Learning Management System (LMS) software for giant corporates. Our primary users were team leads in charge of training employees. Their first job on the platform was to create content for the team in the form of courses and assessments.
Naturally, the product’s tone of voice was simple, straightforward and actionable. We avoided jargon or unnecessary wordplay so that admins could set up their team’s training program without trouble.
My contribution
I was tasked with designing the HTTP error states for product.
My first step was to understand the meaning of each error code, given that we would likely be communicating that to our users as well.
Error states are tricky. Users are not amused if they run into one, so the following things becomes crucial while designing them:
Communicating the cause of the error.
Communicating the possible actionable step.
Using the right tone while doing so.
While iterating, we tried to see what tone could work the best in this case. Unlike other errors where the user might be able to resolve the issue by themselves, HTTP errors don’t have much to resolve except going back or refreshing.
We tried to keep a rather friendlier and playful tone here so the disappointment doesn’t seem as big as it is.
Copy Iterations
Below are some of the copies I wrote for each error. Together with the team, we finalised the copies before moving to designing the layouts for them.
Design Iterations
Iteration #1
Iteration #2
Iteration #3
Iteration #4
Handoff
We chose to rather dump the idea of using GIFS even though how fancy and alluring they seemed. Our primary focus was to be more informative rather than trying to make the user laugh. We dialed it down by merging heading copy into the description as well.
Handoff state
Takeaway
I have always considered humour to be an interesting tool. In moments of joy, it can bring even more delight, in moments of tension, it can lighten the mood and tell us to take it easy.
Using humour in Design can be helpful too. Even if your witty jokes don’t make it to the final copy, humour helps you remind that you are a human, writing for humans and help you lead to a better copy while iterating.
I was a little hesitant to put some of those iterations up there. But it’s a great reminder that we must throw out our worst ideas in the stages of ideation. Constraining yourself too early limits your width of thinking and therefore your creativity.
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