Empowering Designers to do Good Research
Summary
Designers are not just interested in research; they're the driving force in today's research landscape. In this workshop, Hannah Hudson, Director of Design and Research at Twilio, and Prayag Narula, CEO & Co-Founder of Marvin, will discuss how good design is a competitive advantage and can impact the customer experience when research is done often and well by everyone on the team. Learn how design teams can use the tools and methodologies of trained researchers so the whole company can get the maximum impact from the investment in design.
Key Insights
-
•
Empathy is the foundation of effective UX design, enabling creators to anticipate true user needs.
-
•
Qualitative research methods like interviews reveal user pain points often missed by analytics.
-
•
Iterative user testing allows teams to refine features pragmatically, preventing overcomplication.
-
•
Balancing quantitative data with qualitative insights leads to better product decisions.
-
•
Understanding the psychological triggers of users can boost engagement and retention.
-
•
Feature bloat often results from ignoring core user motivations and desires.
-
•
Cross-functional collaboration between UX research and product management strengthens outcomes.
-
•
Designing for emotional impact can make products more memorable and satisfying.
-
•
Users often cannot articulate latent needs, requiring skilled observation to uncover.
-
•
Embedding psychology in product strategy helps align development with user behavior patterns.
Notable Quotes
"Empathy isn't just kindness, it's the lens through which we see users' true motivations."
"Data tells you what happens; qualitative research tells you why it happens."
"If you skip iterative testing, you risk building features nobody really wants."
"The best products come from marrying analytics with human stories."
"Most users don't know what they want until you show it to them."
"Feature bloat kills usability because it clouds the core value proposition."
"When UX researchers and product managers collaborate, the product speaks to users’ hearts."
"Design for emotion to create experiences that resonate beyond functionality."
"Observation reveals needs users themselves haven’t recognized yet."
"Integrating psychology into product strategy isn't optional; it's essential for success."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"We actively reduced jargon to make our process accessible for non-designers."
Alexia Cohen Adriane AckermanIncreasing Health Equity and Improving the Service Experience for Under-Served Latine Communities in Arizona
December 4, 2024
"You want to separate out those distractions from the actual tasks."
Marc Majers Tony TurnerInterrupted UX - Add A Dose of Reality To Usability Testing
March 11, 2022
"VUCA stands for volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity."
Jorge ArangoDesign as an Antidote to VUCA
May 9, 2019
"Design your processes around learning. Celebrate especially when you fail—you often learn the most then."
Brenna FallonLearning Over Outcomes
October 24, 2019
"The Shakers’ artifacts allowed moments of silence and moments of song—balancing rationality with spirit in design."
Daniel GloydWarming the User Experience: Lessons from America's first and most radical human-centered designers
May 9, 2024
"Confidence is critical in online shopping because nobody wants to spend money they’re unsure about losing due to unclear controls."
Sam ProulxOnline Shopping: Designing an Accessible Experience
October 3, 2023
"Every student has unique strengths that should be recognized and nurtured."
Kristin SkinnerFive Years of DesignOps
September 29, 2021
"When we start changing our behavior, we start changing the voices and behavior around us."
Denise Jacobs Nancy Douyon Renee Reid Lisa WelchmanInteractive Keynote: Social Change by Design
January 8, 2024
"If you're not doing recruitment in-house and have to outsource three different agencies, managing timelines becomes a nightmare."
Roberta Dombrowski Lianna Aduana5 Reasons to Bring your Recruiting in House
September 30, 2021