This post is a part of our Moments of Delight series where we share product (and other) experiences that surprise, inspire, and enchant us. I’m Jason, Head of Design at Plain Sight Ventures, and your friendly neighborhood DesignMan. Feel free to reach out to me at jason@plainsightventures.co if you want to connect about design things or coffee or running or really just anything!
If you’re new to the Browser Wars, Arc is the mind-blowing browser from The Browser Company that "doesn’t just meet your needs — it anticipates them.” For the first time in I don’t even know how long, a browser actually changed the way that I interact with websites. That’s no small thing. I could turn this post into a 10-part series to cover all the things I love about Arc, but for today I just wanted to focus on one little thing they do incredibly well: release notes.
What’s the first thought that comes to mind when you hear “release notes”? I’m going to guess that it’s either “close notification” or “please spare me”. In the realm of software updates, where mundane release notes often read like a dry technical manual, the Arc Browser team has rewritten the script on engaging communication. With every new update, they manage to turn what might be considered a routine announcement into a source of surprising joy and pure delight for their users. I’ve tried to boil the experience down into a few things they’re doing differently:
1. The Art of Storytelling
Imagine opening a software update and being welcomed into a world of storytelling. Arc Browser's release notes aren’t just bullet points; they're narratives. They take users on a journey, weaving a tale of each update's conception, development, and ultimate realization. This approach transcends the mere technical and invites users into the creative process behind each enhancement. Suddenly, what could be a mundane task becomes an invitation to explore and appreciate the dedication of the team. They also do some incredible “behind the scenes” working sessions that have inspired my day-to-day approach to product design.
2. Humanizing the Process
Arc Browser's release notes have an uncanny ability to humanize the development process. They shed light on the team's challenges, eureka moments, and even occasional goof-ups. By openly sharing the ups and downs of their journey, the team breaks down the barriers between developers and users. This transparency not only fosters a sense of connection but also builds trust. Users are no longer just passive recipients of updates; they are part of the narrative, invested in the product's evolution.
3. A Touch of Humor
In a landscape often dominated by technical jargon, Arc Browser's release notes introduce an element of surprise with their humor. Embedded jokes, pop culture references (see Sonic the Hedgehog), and witty anecdotes sprinkle a dose of light-heartedness into what can often be a serious arena. Users find themselves chuckling amidst the patch notes, turning what might be a brief encounter into a memorable moment of genuine amusement.
4. Celebrating the User
The Arc team knows how to make their users feel like heroes. By framing updates as solutions to user pain points and needs, the team shifts the focus from what's new for them to what's improved for the user. This approach elevates the user's role in the product's evolution, making them an integral part of the story rather than a passive observer. Arc often attributes product updates to a user or group of users that reached out to recommend the feature. And when they officially launched, they included each and every beta user’s name in their appreciation credits - you actually felt like you had a hand in building Arc.
5. Visual Delights
Release notes often suffer from a lack of visual appeal, but not when it comes to Arc’s style. Each update is accompanied by vibrant visuals that resonate with the theme of the release. These visuals not only enhance the user's understanding of the changes but also contribute to the overall sense of joy that the release notes evoke. The product shots are real while polished, helpful while engaging, and a mini-source of inspiration for aspiring and working designers.
In the oftentimes vanilla landscape of software development, where updates are frequent and often overlooked, Arc Browser's release notes shine as beacons of exceptional communication and a knowing nod to their user base. They remind us that even in the world of bits and bytes, there's room for creativity, empathy, and genuine human connection. So the next time you see the little updates notification in Arc, take a moment to relish the experience, for you're not just updating software — you're being treated to a delightful chapter in a captivating story.
