UX research - Toolbox

Here I cover: Quantitative Research methods Usability testing

Quantitative Research methods

Portfolio Highlight: UX Design for a Premier Investment App

Role:

As the sole product designer for a top-tier investment app, I led a data-driven procedure to ensure the user interface (UI) aligned with current financial UI trends and user preferences.

Objective:

The main task was to leverage insights from a comprehensive competitor analysis I conducted to make informed decisions about our app's UI design.

Task Description:

I conducted a quantitative survey focusing on two critical aspects:

Display Mode Preference: Assessing if the apps' users prefer the dark mode, a common feature in leading investment apps, or if there's an interest in switching to a light mode.

Resolution Preference for Mobile Access: Determining whether the apps' users opt for tablet resolution or mobile resolution when accessing the app on the move.

Results:

The survey findings were clear-cut, revealing a strong preference for dark mode and tablet resolutions. This data was instrumental in guiding our UI design choices, ensuring they resonate with our users' preferences.

Usability testing - heatmaps

I use hotJar heat maps (Click, scroll, and move heatmaps) for:

Usability testing: Identifying confusing layouts, navigation issues, and areas of user frustration.
Accessibility evaluation: Understanding how users with disabilities interact with the interface, pinpointing potential barriers.
A/B testing: Comparing the effectiveness of different design variations by observing interaction differences.
Information architecture planning: Visualizing how users navigate content, informing structure and hierarchy.
Personalization: Understanding user preferences based on interaction patterns and tailoring experiences accordingly.

User Interviews

As an example, read the whole story.

I gained critical insights from interviewing members of the classical music community, who were the target audience for a project to revamp their online community.
Based on my interviews and previous interviews with potential users, I revealed the critical needs and desires of the targeted audience for this classical musician community redesign project.

A structured plan to interview stakeholders

Define Objectives and Hypotheses

Objective: To refine the business goal and craft a UX strategy for a social platform that attracts little traction.
Hypotheses:
The current product may only partially meet the specific needs of young aspiring musicians.
There may be unmet logistical needs for musicians performing internationally.

Stakeholder Identification

Internal Stakeholders: Classical musicians and career managers.
External Stakeholders: Musicians, music educators, concert organizers, music industry professionals.

Qualitative Research Best practices for team collaboration:

Direct and Systematic User Engagement: Involve the entire team in user interactions to build empathy and gather diverse insights.
Structured Research Approach: Conduct systematic observations and interviews, focusing on users' past experiences to uncover deeper insights.
Experimentation and Reflection: Test ideas using MVPs, POCs, and cognitive walkthroughs. Encourage reflection to identify and challenge assumptions.
Empathetic Understanding: Emphasize cognitive and emotional empathy to understand users' perspectives and needs accurately.
Behavioral Focus: Prioritize user behavior observations over verbal preferences for deeper insights into user needs.
Effective Data Handling: Avoid guiding user conversations, summarize sessions immediately, and organize insights through coding and categorization for analysis.
Insight Integration: Enrich quantitative data with qualitative insights for a holistic understanding of user experiences.
Inclusive Feedback Process: Share research findings broadly within the team and invite feedback to make research more accessible and actionable.
Continuous Improvement Mindset: Accept imperfections and focus on continuous improvement based on user feedback and research findings.
Evaluation Over Validation: Evaluate ideas based on user needs fulfillment rather than seeking validation for pre-existing assumptions.

Quantitative Research

Surveys

Participants: Wider musician community.
Content:
Satisfaction with current platform features.
Frequency of international performances.
Logistical challenges faced.

Data Analysis

Metrics: Usage patterns, feature popularity, demographic data.
Tools: Analytics software for user interaction data.

Synthesis and Persona Development

Data Integration

Approach: Combine insights from qualitative and quantitative data.
Outcome: Identification of key user needs and pain points.

Persona Creation

The YAM Persona: Define characteristics based on research findings, focusing on logistical needs for international performances.

Strategy Formulation

Workshop and Toolkit Development

Focus: Addressing the needs of the YAM persona.
Activities: Ideation sessions, user journey mapping.

Mental Model Crafting

Approach: Design a new mental model for the app based on the needs of the YAM personas.
Tools: User flow diagrams, wireframes, prototypes.

Feedback and Iteration

Stakeholder Reviews

Process: Present findings and proposed changes to stakeholders.
Feedback: Gather input for refinement.

Pilot Testing

Method: Implement changes in a controlled environment.
Assessment: Monitor usage and satisfaction.

Final Reporting

Documentation

Content: Comprehensive report including research findings, persona details, new mental model, and strategy recommendations.
Presentation: To all relevant stakeholders for final approval and implementation.

This plan ensures a thorough understanding of the users' needs and crafts a tailored UX strategy to enhance engagement and support the unique requirements of young aspiring classical musicians on the global stage.

UX strategy

As a senior UX designer, the primary task in writing this document was to conduct an in-depth analysis and synthesis of the current challenges and trends within the museum industry, focusing on visitor engagement, technology integration, and market dynamics. This involved:

Identifying Pain Points and Challenges: The first step was to thoroughly understand and articulate the challenges museums face, such as competing with digital entertainment platforms, adapting to demographic changes, and the necessity of evolving their visitor experiences. This required analyzing market research, existing studies, and industry reports to gather insights about the shifting landscape of museum attendance and engagement.
Evaluating Museum Responses and Innovations: This involved investigating how museums currently respond to these challenges, such as incorporating VR and AR technologies, diversifying their activities (like hosting yoga classes and themed parties), and rethinking their roles in the community. The goal was to highlight successful strategies and areas needing improvement, offering a comprehensive view of the current state of museum innovation.
Exploring Opportunities with Augmented Reality: As part of the focus on technology integration, the document needed to delve into specific areas like augmented reality, examining its potential to enhance visitor experiences. This included reviewing projects like MeLa and assessing how AR can be used to create more engaging, interactive, and educational museum experiences.
Analyzing Museum Funding Issues: Understanding the financial aspect was crucial. This meant examining how changes in government funding, the impacts of economic recessions, and shifts in philanthropic trends (especially among millennials) influence museum operations and strategies.
Market Research and Competitor Analysis: A key component was conducting market research to understand the potential for new technologies in museums, identifying different types of museums, and analyzing visitor statistics. Additionally, evaluating both direct and indirect competitors in the AR space was essential to understand the market landscape and position the proposed solution effectively.
Proposing Solutions and Recommendations: Based on these insights, the task was to propose innovative solutions that align with contemporary museum challenges. This involved suggesting new communication strategies, exhibition tools, and engagement methods that museums could adopt to enhance visitor experiences and address demographic shifts.
Documenting Current and Potential AR Implementations: This included detailing various AR experiences in museums, both current and past, to provide a context for how AR is being used and its effectiveness.
Developing a Business Model and Strategy: Finally, the document needed to outline a viable business model and strategy for the proposed AR solutions, considering factors like renting AR devices to museums, staying updated with technological advancements, and respecting the unique needs and sensibilities of museums.

The overarching goal was to combine these elements into a comprehensive document that addresses the current state of museums and provides actionable insights and strategies for leveraging technology to enhance visitor experiences and adapt to the evolving cultural landscape.

UX Audit Methodology

A Framework for Enhancing User Experience

a new diagram encompassing the day to day practice of UX audit from a bird's view perspective. It is a tool I created and helps streamline a complex process in an efficient way.