Can I Have It In Blue?

Unveiling the Power of User Research in Product Design (Part 2)

Episode Summary

In this episode of 'Can I Have It In Blue', Joana Gomes, a product designer at Subvisual, and João Ferreira, Subvisual's CPO, share their experiences and insights on planning and presenting user research. They explore how to create effective research plans and conduct interviews in a way that feels natural and engaging. João talks about his intuitive approach, using flexible conversation guides that allow room for curiosity and adaptability, while Joana explains her more structured method, inspired by frameworks and articles like the People Nerds blog piece, "Not Sure Which User Research Methodology To Use? Start Here." Together, they reflect on the importance of balancing preparation with spontaneity and the value of recording interviews to capture insights effectively. The episode dives into some of the trickier aspects of user research, such as avoiding bias, recruiting participants (with tools like userinterviews.com), and presenting findings in ways that resonate, including the use of video clips. They also share a unique perspective on conducting research in the Web3 space, where engaging communities and navigating biases can present additional challenges. For anyone starting out, Joana and João stress the importance of simply jumping in and practicing interviews, even if things aren’t perfect at first. They recommend useful resources like "Rocket Surgery Made Easy" and "Don't Make Me Think" by Steve Krug to help sharpen your skills and confidence. Links: People Nerds article: Not Sure Which User Research Methodology To Use? Start Here Books: Rocket Surgery Made Easy by Steve Krug Don't Make Me Think by Steve Krug Whether you're new to user research or looking to refine your approach, this episode is packed with actionable tips and inspiring stories to guide you on your journey!

Episode Notes

In this episode of 'Can I Have It In Blue,' Joana Gomes and João Ferreira from Subvisual delve into the intricacies of planning and presenting user research. They discuss their approaches to creating research plans and conducting interviews without over-relying on scripts, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and adaptability. João highlights his intuitive method of using structured yet flexible conversation guides, while Joana shares a more systematic approach informed by specific articles and frameworks. Both underscore the value of conducting interviews, the challenges of avoiding bias, and the necessity of presenting research findings effectively. They also touch on the unique difficulties of conducting research in the Web3 space and the importance of engaging with community feedback while being wary of inherent biases. Concluding with practical advice for newcomers, Joana and João stress the importance of practice and genuine curiosity in making user research insightful and impactful.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:23 Starting the User Research Discussion

00:40 Planning User Research

01:43 Executing User Research Interviews

05:38 Structuring the Research Process

09:01 Adapting and Personalizing Interviews

14:29 Challenges in User Research

21:05 Recruiting Participants for Research

22:24 Filtering and Evaluating Profiles

22:51 Insights from User Interviews

23:23 Case Study: Renting Project in Boston

24:14 Challenges in Web3 Projects

25:59 Importance of Community in Web3

28:57 Presenting Research Findings

33:36 Tips for Effective User Research

38:46 The Value of Interviews in Early-Stage Projects

42:56 Conclusion and Next Steps

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