User research

User research is essential to a design method grounded in the needs of your users. It tests your assumptions, increases your understanding and helps you validate your decisions.  When numbers help tell a story, user research can end indecisiveness and get projects back on track.

If you want to design with the user in mind,
get into the mind of the user.

surveys

Surveys are a useful method when more quantifiable results are warranted and are best used alongside qualitative research. Online questionnaire services includes experience in succinct question copywriting, appropriate rating scale selection, logical progression and piping and much more. A good survey is similar to a good moderator - neither should lead their participants.

field research & shop-a-longs

Mobile technology continues to change what 'the field' means in digital contextual inquiries. From corporate offices to supermarkets checkout lines, users are interacting with digital products in a variety of contexts.  Shadowing a participant as they use your product in their own environment yields valuable insights into real-world scenarios that influence your product's ease-of-use.

card sorting

When deciding how to organize your product, you want to make sure to create an information architecture that reflects how the majority of your users think about the content.  The classic way to determine this type of mental model is to conduct a card sort study.  Card sorting helps you organize and name your content.

Open or closed, card sorts can be smaller moderated, in-person studies producing more qualitative reports, or larger online quantitative studies with similarity matrices and dendrograms. 

preference testing

Preference testing is a within-studies test approach where the same set of users is shown two different designs and asked to select the one they prefer.  We've found this type of test is best when combined with measurable usability data, like first-click or standard task completion testing, to inform and support the user's stated preference. Preference testing gives product teams the data and confidence they need to move forward with design and development.

first-click testing

Research has shown that a user's first click can predict their chances of success.  87% of users whose first click is correct successfully complete their tasks. Conversely, if their first click is wrong, only 46% go on to achieve their goal.* First click testing is a great way to test your navigation and can be done at any point in the design process - with wireframes or design comps.