The story about my initial UX Research journey
I used to be a graphic designer then have been manoeuvring my ship to UX world since 3 years ago. There is a lot of developments on how designers creating solutions for humans, for digital product design especially. But for me, it is all about our understanding how humans interact with their surroundings.
From that moment, I just realised that whenever or wherever I go, I must observe humans’ behaviour. It is simply because in UX design, the emotions and the empathy are the triggers.
I love snapping photos around. I really enjoy how people behave. From these following pictures, we could make tons of stories behind. But how we validate our assumptions, really?
This post is just for sharing how important to be able to allow empathy and emotions to understand human process completely. I will mention about emotions and empathy for million times. Not only to deal with our works, but also to interact with people around your design process.
I work closely to designers, and of course to users. Being a UX researcher might be hard at first. Again, I will mention about emotions and empathy. For several projects, researchers would go to the field, immerse in users’ environment, be part of them. To get users’ the real insight, darkest secrets, guilty pleasures; a role playing is essentially needed. Actually, there are at least two challenges for us:
1. Blending and un-blending with the users should be as easy as ABC.
Oops! It’s just a text. In the real field, it was sometimes like disasters. The more researchers are too blended with user, the harder they un-blend. Some fellows still remind me that sometimes ignorance is a bliss. No offence!
But the point is, to get the real user insights, we are our users. But when it’s done, we should act back as a researcher, part of problem solver team. Researchers need to make sure that all of the findings cover the user problem area and ready to be analysed-synthesised.
2. Researchers are mediator. We got the result, then how we deliver the ideas to designers or other stakeholders?
Yep, communication. It is our responsibility to transfer the findings as clear as possible. Reporting skills is a must. Reporting media are tons out there. You can host a workshop, set a casual meeting in the park, or even treat a coffee at your nearest coffee shop and have a talk. Researchers should be aware of how important visuals is on their report to help others understand. Be empathic. Our stakeholders are also our report’s user.
When you work as designer or researcher in Product Design team, some people might not consider your idea. Yes it hurts sometimes! But don’t worry. From my experience, those kind of things are part of successful and working UX.
Communication is a key. Relax, take a sip of your coffee or tea, and talk. It is essential for UX designers or researchers to be a representative of the users, who are humans are using our product solution. Last but not least, again, emotions and empathy are essential for UX practitioners.
This story is a part of my journey as UX researcher, any feedbacks, advice or even critiques are welcome! Thank you so much for reading through!
