User Research for Interface Designers
Designers who skip research tend to redesign the same screen three times. This course is about avoiding that cycle.
The research gap in most design teams
Many companies have no UX researcher on staff. The designer is expected to handle discovery, testing, and analysis alongside visual work. This program teaches you how to do that without it taking over your entire schedule.
Methods covered in this course
User interviews, moderated usability testing, card sorting, and survey design. Each method comes with templates, a recording of a real session, and a breakdown of what the designer did well and what went wrong.
From raw data to design decisions
Collecting data is the easier part. We spend a full module on synthesis: affinity diagrams, insight statements, and how to present findings to a product manager who has 10 minutes for your presentation.
A note on sample sizes
You do not need 200 participants to learn something useful. Five well-recruited users in a moderated session will surface the majority of critical usability problems. We explain why and when that logic applies.
What you will produce
A research report based on a real brief. You recruit participants, run two sessions, analyze findings, and write a one-page summary with design recommendations. The brief is provided — the research is yours to conduct.
Participants are recruited from a shared pool provided by the program. You can also recruit from your own network.Learning Program
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Module 1 — Research planning
Defining a research question. Choosing the right method for the right question. Writing a discussion guide.
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Module 2 — Conducting interviews
How to ask questions that get honest answers. Recording, note-taking, and managing session flow.
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Module 3 — Usability testing
Setting up tasks, moderating sessions, and spotting the difference between a preference and a real usability issue.
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Module 4 — Surveys and card sorting
When quantitative data helps. Designing questions that produce usable results rather than noise.
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Module 5 — Synthesis and reporting
Building an affinity map, writing insight statements, presenting findings without overwhelming your audience.
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Module 6 — Independent research project
Full research cycle from planning to report. Two rounds of feedback from the instructor.