Writing Alt Text Without Overthinking It

Alt text doesn’t have to be intimidating, overly technical, or perfect to be effective. It just needs to be clear, intentional, and written by someone who understands the content.

In this session, Dax Castro breaks down alt text in a way that feels practical, human, and doable. You’ll learn how to describe images with confidence, make smart decisions about what matters most, and stop second-guessing every word. Dax focuses on real-world scenarios designers face every day, replacing anxiety and guesswork with clarity and purpose.

Key takeaways:

• Build confidence by understanding what good alt text is—and what it doesn’t need to be
• Decide what to describe and what to skip based on context and intent
• Leverage AI for alt text support while recognizing its limits and avoiding common pitfalls
• Apply a simple mental framework to everyday design scenarios
• Treat alt text as a communication skill that improves real user experiences