Research
Observe, listen, and test to understand your users and their pain points.
All articles in Research
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The Question Block: Level Up with Better Questions
February 17, 2018 — While playing a game of Mario, I learned a thing or two about framing better questions from those iconic question blocks our intrepid hero loves to bash.
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9 Rules for Observing Remote Research
February 17, 2017 — Congratulations! You've been invited to observe a research session. Here are some basic rules of etiquette to help make your session a success.
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14 Great Mac Apps to Expand Your Design Toolbox
January 10, 2017 — You know the usual suspects already: Photoshop, Sketch, Axure, Invision. Explore these other hidden gems that can help improve your design process on the Mac.
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Use Diverse Personas and Better Scenarios to Light Dark Alleys
November 6, 2015 — Let’s stray from the happy path, light up the dark alleys, and design a better experience even for those times when things go wrong.
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Get Out of the Coffee Shop
November 5, 2015 — Thinking inclusively starts with your research. Take the time to seek out current or potential users who don’t fit your demographic norms.
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Conversational Design: How to Craft a System that Listens
November 1, 2015 — How do you distill a complex series of context-dependent questions and make it seem easy? Have a conversation with your users!
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Notes from “Customers Included” by Mark Hurst
July 17, 2014 — I attended Mark Hurst’s presentation of Customers Included. He covered several fascinating case studies of companies that listened to customers and companies that didn’t.
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The Job Hunt: Checking Your Impact
April 25, 2014 — The job application process can be long and drawn out, taking weeks to months to make headway. While there’s little you can do to speed the process up, there are things you can do to keep informed and continue making a great impression.
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How Anthropologists Are Helping Companies Know Their Customers
April 14, 2014 — One of the key tenets of a great user experience is understanding your customers on a basic level. Increasingly, large companies are turning to anthropologists and psychologists to understand the underlying hidden motivations of their customers.