Roy West

Roy West is a prominent figure in the field of UX writing, currently serving as the Principal UX Writer at Apple since September 2020. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, he has built a robust career focused on crafting strategic language that enhances user experience and fosters relationships between products and users.12

Professional Background

• Apple: As Principal UX Writer, Roy leads design teams and focuses on creating effective user experiences through language.
• Uber: Prior to Apple, he worked as the Design Director for UX Writing from April 2018 to May 2020, where he contributed significantly to both rider and driver applications.
• Google: Roy spent nearly a decade at Google (2009-2018) as the Head of UX Writing, managing teams responsible for core products like Search and Maps, and was notably involved in developing terminology for Android during its early versions.
• Other Roles: His earlier positions include Director of Publications and UI Engineering at Scalent Systems, Director of Publications at Openwave, and various writing roles at NeXT Computer and Be, Inc..1

Education

Roy attended Princeton University, where he studied classics, biology, and philosophy but did not complete his degree.1

Interests and Philosophy

Roy is particularly passionate about inclusivity in design. He emphasizes the importance of building diverse teams and creating products that resonate with a broad audience. He believes that effective UX writing requires collaboration across various disciplines, including research and engineering.2 In his words:

“There’s something magical about the inflection point between the virtual and the real that fascinates me.”2

His approach combines a deep understanding of language with strategic thinking to ensure that UX writing not only serves user needs but also aligns with business goals.

Overall, Roy West's extensive experience and commitment to inclusive design make him a key player in shaping user experiences at one of the world's leading technology companies.