How was your weekend ? Yea, I could use another day too! I cannot believe my daughter is starting kindergarten this week and summer is almost over. ARRRGGG! Anyway, here is some exciting user research-related news and inspiration. Might as well jump back into the saddle, eh?
CONVERSATIONS FROM THE CLASSROOM
Last week someone asked me the difference between design thinking and ethnography. Earlier I had a fascinating conversation with two very senior practitioners about whether Journey Mapping was a user research method or not and this sparked a heated debate about whether "gathering" data is required criteria to be considered a UXR method? What do you think? Talk to me people.
The bottom line is that almost everyone I know, regardless of level, is perplexed by some UX/UI/Design/User research-related lingo.
So I compiled a list of nearly 100 terms! This week I solicited micro-volunteers to help define them through crowdsourcing. I posted in my google group and on LinkedIn. The response was terrific. I’ll host one more kick off call today at 3pm and then release this puppy into the wild. Talk about prototyping, iterating and dogfooding! (Yep, dogfooding is on the list too!) I’ve never crowdsourced anything. It's exciting though! Not a LinkedIn fan? You can read about the effort, and see my other posts, on my website too.
SO MUCH TO LEARN, SO LITTLE TIME
WOOT WOOT! In September I’ll start teaching user research classes in UC Berkeley’s UX Design program. My class will run on Monday nights, in downtown San Francisco, for 10 weeks. You do not have to be enrolled in the certificate program to take it. Here is the existing course overview. I’ll be tweaking it but it will be jammed packed with actionable goodies for people who want to go both deep and wide. We’ll be building UXR portfolio pieces along the way too.
WAHOO! General Assembly will also feature two new classes of mine this fall (in addition to my existing User Research 3 hour Intro workshop and Conducting User Research day-long bootcamp). Please continue to refer your friends and colleagues to those foundations. After 25 classes year to date (yep, seriously) they are REALLY TIGHT NOW! Drum roll please…. My new classes are:
A Mixed Methods session called “Conducting User Research Intermediate Bootcamp”. This is where you can really roll up your sleeves and get hands-on with a variety of generative and evaluative methods. Learn which ones best inform specific types of research questions and phases. The first session is October 4th. >> Register here.
The Art of the Interview (not yet posted but slated to launch October 3rd.) Here, you’ll see, practice, and get feedback on how to successfully begin an interview, develop rapport with participants, dig deeper, create sound bites, get out of difficult situations, and wrap up while leaving the door open for future correspondence. We’ll also discuss when it’s appropriate to deviate from your guide (gasp!) and why.
NOTE: All General Assembly details (about my class sessions, dates and times) are always listed on my website. Shortly after you land on the homepage, a pop up will appear with all the deets. I update this regularly.
FORMER GA STUDENTS: The offer still stands. If you completed one of my User Research Workshops or Bootcamps prior to June 1st, you are invited to audit an upcoming class of the same type. I’d be thrilled to have you back in the saddle and reap the benefits of the feedback you provided to help improve the class materials and tools. They've evolved tremendously thanks to you! Just email me when you'd like to come.
OUR TERMS CAN BE SUPER CONFUSING
Heads up. I’m on a warpath to bring some definition sanity to terminology in our space. Do you know the difference between UI, UX, CX, UXR? If you don't, look ‘em up. There’s a very big difference. I can tell immediately how seasoned you are by the way you use our terms. Precision is extremely important.
Here’s a term for you to ponder this week. Prototype: A concept or idea turned into form (a storyboard, video, 2D or 3D mock up, a blurb, interaction design, etc.) that allows us to gather constructive and timely feedback during the concept and development phases. You can learn more about prototyping in this article I authored for Autodesk Academy. And check out the accompanying practice assignments to improve your prototyping skills.
COMING SOON!
I’ll share an update about the “Defining our Confusing Terms” crowdsourcing project.
A new course and article called “How to Break into User Research”. Eventually I’ll be looking for a few beta participants so keep an eye out!
SPEAK UP, GET INVOLVED, SHARE THE LOVE
Have questions that relate to user research. Seriously, bad research keeps me up at night!
Want to provide feedback on the Checklist to Access Your Readiness to Launch a Study. Email me. There’s still time.
Choose to provide a testimonial to support the promotion of the new classes in this 10 question “in hindsight” survey.’ Share what you learned, what was most memorable or helpful, something about the vibe, other takeaways, you name it. I’d be so appreciative. It will also give me a chance to get to know you better so I can tailor the samples I share in class and new activities I create around your interests!
Know someone who might enjoy this email please pass it onto them. Better yet, sign them up here. It will be the gift that keeps on giving.
And that’s a wrap! My second official communication! I promise I’ll stop counting. Soon. Regardless, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
