Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Oct 2021

Investigating the Impact of Design Thinking, Content Strategy, and Artificial Intelligence: A “Streams” Approach for Technical Communication and User Experience

Gustav Verhulsdonck Central Michigan University ; Tharon Howard Clemson University ; Jason Tham Texas Tech University

Abstract

Technical and professional communication (TPC) and user experience (UX) design are often seen as intertwined due to being user-centered. Yet, as widening industry positions combine TPC and UX, new streams enrich our understanding. This article looks at three such streams, namely, design thinking, content strategy, and artificial intelligence to uncover specific industry practices, skills, and ways to advocate for users. These streams foster a multistage user-centered methodology focused on a continuous designing process, strategic ways for developing content across different platforms and channels, and for developing in smart contexts where agentive products act for users. In this article, we synthesize these developments and draw out how these impact TPC.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2021-10-01
DOI
10.1177/00472816211041951
Open Access
Closed
Topics
writing across the curriculum multimodality artificial intelligence technical communication professional writing multilingual writers

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (12)

  1. Getto et al. (2026)
    How to Write With GenAI: A Framework for Using Generative AI to Automate Writin…
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  2. Jiang et al. (2026)
    Designing experience: Multimodal UX in the expanding field of composition
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  3. Braun et al. (2026)
    AI Competencies in Technical Communication: A Study of Hiring Trends and Educat…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  4. Tham (2026)
    Evolving Information Design: Insights from Senior Experts in Technical and Prof…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Robledo et al. (2025)
    Critical and Creative Quantum Literacies
    Technical Communication Quarterly
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  1. Weber et al. (2025)
    Perspectives on UX Practices for American Entrepreneurs: A Survey of User Engag…
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  2. Jiang et al. (2025)
    Augmenting User Experience Design with Multimodal Generative Artificial Intelli…
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  3. Cagle (2024)
    “A Proficiency in What We Call Rhetoric”: A Role for Community-Engaged Technica…
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  4. Hunter (2024)
    Toward TPC-UX: UX Topics in TPC Journals 2013–2022
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. St.Amant (2024)
    ARCO Mapping the Cognitive Dynamics of Communication Expectations: An Approach …
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  6. Howard (2023)
    Focusing on Governance for a Real Client in a Content Strategy Course
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  7. Tham et al. (2022)
    Extending Design Thinking, Content Strategy, and Artificial Intelligence into T…
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

Cites in this index (11)

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    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
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    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
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CrossRef global citation count: 44 View in citation network →

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