oneux | designing experiences

user observations. getting ready: Getting recruitment right

#1 Recruiters need to know the research question and what you try to achieve. They can then take the initiative to make adjustments to the screener as they are familiar with the culture and understand the general area you will be researching

#2 Confirm details with participants before visit. Call them on the day of the session to confirm it is all happening

#3 Ensure local partner has all details, including directions, maps, etc.

#4 Opt for public transport than taxis or hired cars. It will give you the opportunity to observe local attitudes

#5 Release forms is local responsibility

#5 Incentives to be paid at the end of the session not later

#6 Brief participants before sessions. Let them know what the visits are all about without revealing end goal of the project. Informed participants will be more than happy to help. Visits with badly briefed participants are less productive and more stressful for all parties

user observations made easy

 I know, unimaginative title, but I am afraid that is it until I come up with something more intelligent. I thought I’ll share my experiences of running international user research, mainly observations and contextual interviews. What I am listing in following posts is a series of guidelines. In the future I aim to expand the list with examples and other evidence. I am dividing my posts into three groups:

• Getting Ready: notes on preparing for the user sessions
• With the User: what to look out for during the user sessions
• Manking sese of it all: how to best manage all the finding and coming up with a clear message for the client.

I will also post ideas on how to overcome potential challenges when running the sessions.

the Monocle urban recovery recipe + 2

Monocle's issue 15 (July/August 2008)  is all about urban living. It ranks the 25 most liveable cities, by the way, London is nowhere to be found!. The Monocle staff propose a 10 step recipe for aspiring cities around the world. A short version of the recipe sounds something like this:

• Get together those who can affect change and get them to experience the city.
• Get them to sample great cities around the world
• Come up with a top priority list
• Get working

All seems good and definitely inspiring, but somehow I feel that something is missing. How about:

1. Spend some time observing the city’s residents, its different tribes. Discover, how they experience their city. How far do they have to walk / ride / run to get some milk? Do they venture out after dark? If so, at what cost?  Can they take their pram out for a spin without risking lumbago? What do they think about they new neighbours? What are they proud of? What is it that they rather keep quite about?  Observer and discover insight that will enrich the experts’ opinion and plans.
2. Do the same with the city’s visitors, what is it that surprises them, will they come back? To see what?  Will they just wipe the entire trip off their memory? What would they improve, why?

Ask questions, but above all, observe and learn, after all cities are for living in, so get those who live there to contribute to the process.