[IxDA Discuss] Questioning User Research (was Eyetrackingarticle on UXMatters)

[Robert Barlow-Busch]

On 13-Jul-06, at 10:23 AM, Sabine Junginger wrote:
> If research is not integrated into the design process and designers  
> do not actively take part in it, findings and discoveries are  
> easily taken out of context and misinterpreted.

A terrific point, Sabine. I submit that up-front in-context  
"research" with customers is not in fact research at all -- it's  
simply part of the design process. It informs and inspires.

Quick example: I've recently designed a desktop app used in factories  
for building roof trusses (those pre-fab wooden things that hold up  
your house's roof). Round 1 of design resulted in a damn solid  
interface that got the stamp of approval from customers in a  
usability test. Then we entered round 2 -- this time with the benefit  
of spending time on-site at truss plants. I tell you: the interface  
sure changed as a result of our appreciation of the context in which  
these people work and the factors that motivate them.

With respect to the discussion around common sense: I'm totally on  
board with the observation that common sense alone can guide us well.  
Even in a vacuum of customer insight, a skilled interaction designer  
should be able to come up with a fairly elegant, well-behaved  
product. But is it the right product? Does it behave in the best way  
for the target customers? Is it nuanced to a degree that people will  
not simply use it, they'll delight in using it?

-- 
Robert Barlow-Busch
Practice Director, Interaction Design
Quarry Integrated Communications Inc.
rbarlowbusch at quarry.com
(519) 570-2020

This e-mail message (including any attachments) is intended only for  
the use of the individual to whom it is addressed and may contain  
information that is privileged, proprietary, confidential or subject  
to copyright.  If you are not the intended recipient, you are  
notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or reproduction of  
this communication is strictly prohibited.  If you have received this  
communication in error, please notify the sender and delete this e- 
mail message immediately.