Thinking about becoming a Conversation Designer❓

I did some analysis and these are the common skills and attributes they ask for in job descriptions for Conversation Designers along with my thoughts.

1. Mastering Conversational Flows

As you might expect, a conversational designer should be adept at crafting engaging and effective scripts and flows for AI-driven interactions. This skill is paramount in creating seamless and intuitive conversational experiences.

💡This is the primary skill that you, as a competent Conversation Designer need. Your ability to map out conversational journeys with all of the opportunities and threats that become apparent when designing is what makes the user experience the best it can be.

2. Collaboration is Key

You'll be expected to work closely with diverse teams – from product development to engineering and UI/UX design. Effective teamwork and the ability to collaborate across various departments are crucial.

💡Most, but not all, Conversation Designers will have to work with people outside their teams - it's critical to the success of projects you are involved in. It's about knowing when to educate, when to advise and sometimes when to shut up.

3. User-Centered Approach

The ability to understand the user's needs and behaviours is at the heart of #conversationdesign . This includes conducting user research and employing user-centric design principles to ensure that the AI's conversation is as natural and helpful as possible.

💡Here's a superb book recommendation to help develop this skill.

4. Linguistic and Technical Know-How

A strong understanding of linguistics, coupled with knowledge of #NLP, #machinelearning , and #AI technologies, enables designers to enhance the conversational capabilities of AI applications.

💡What's fascinating here is that roles for Conversational Designer can have very few technical requirements and at the other end of the spectrum, they expect you to almost be a Computer Scientist.

5. Project Management Prowess

As a conversational designer, you'll manage multiple aspects of AI development, from content strategy to technical implementation. This often requires strong organisational and management skills.

💡The fundamentals of a conversational AI project remain the same but it can become challenging when involved in multiple projects concurrently, at different stages.

6. Data-driven decision-making

Analysing user feedback and conversational data is key to refining AI interactions. Your ability to optimise based on this data ensures the AI is both culturally and linguistically appropriate.

💡This is a critical skill for every conversational designer. Using your experience, knowledge of the user and some assumptions is the starting point. Being able to interpret user behaviour and mindset based on their conversational actions is a skill you develop over time.

7. Creativity and Problem-Solving

The field demands creative solutions and rapid prototyping abilities to overcome design challenges and innovate conversational experiences. The demand for creative solutions stems from the diverse challenges that arise when designing interactions that feel natural to users. Each project presents its own set of complexities, whether it's understanding the nuances of human speech, ensuring the AI can handle unexpected user inputs, or creating a conversational flow that feels natural yet serves the functional requirements of the application. Your ability to think outside the box is crucial in addressing these challenges.

💡For me, this is the most attractive element of being a Conversation Designer. It's sometimes challenging, as it should be. But in the end, it can be immensely satisfying for the right person.

8. Communication Excellence

Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential, especially for dialogue writing and effective stakeholder engagement, both of which are critical skills.

For dialogue writing, this means creating conversational scripts that are not only grammatically correct but also resonate with the intended audience. A Conversational Designer must be adept at crafting dialogues that reflect the personality of the AI and align with the user's expectations and needs. This requires a deep understanding of tone, style, and the subtleties of language that can make or break the user's experience.

Beyond the user interface, Communication Excellence is crucial in collaborating with cross-functional teams. As a Conversational Designer, you'll need to articulate your vision and design rationale clearly to stakeholders, who may range from technical team members to non-technical business leaders.

💡If you are in a junior role, less so but as you develop as a Conversation Designer this skill will become more valuable. Watch those around you to identify good examples of this - learn from the best.

9. Tech Tool Proficiency

Familiarity with various conversational AI platforms and design tools will be part of your toolkit. This includes platforms like Dialogflow, Rasa, and design software like InVision or Sketch.

💡Be careful to pick your tools carefully or you'll spend time developing skills in a product you are never going to use.

10. Educational Foundation

A background in HCI (Human Computer Interface), Design, Linguistics, Psychology, or Computer Science provides a solid foundation for a career in conversational design.

💡There's no denying that an educational foundation can open doors but this is far from the only route to a Conversation Design role. Learn products, take courses and build a blog/portfolio.

11. Adaptability

In this fast-paced field, being able to manage multiple projects and adapt to evolving technologies and user needs is key. the field of conversational AI is marked by rapid technological advancements. New tools, platforms, and updates to existing technologies are continually reshaping what is possible. An adaptable Conversational Designer stays abreast of these changes, eagerly learning new skills and integrating them into their work. This continuous learning approach is vital for staying relevant and innovative in the field.

💡Far too many Conversation Designers end up using the same tech stack day in, day out and when they need to get a new role, find that they can't adapt quickly enough.

Still want to be a Conversation Designer?

The role of a Conversational Designer is both complex and exhilarating, blending creative artistry with technical acumen. At its heart, this role demands a deep understanding of how people communicate and interact with AI. From mastering the intricacies of conversational flows to collaborating effectively across diverse teams, each skill plays a pivotal role in crafting experiences that resonate with users.

I have some great resources to help you explore a career in Conversation Design which you can find at https://everythingconversational.ai