Airbnb’s recent move to change the conventional PM function has sparked conversations in the tech world. Coupled with recent layoffs, the uncontrolled democratization of research, and the fascination with generative AI, it’s a crucial juncture for UX Researchers to reassess their role. — If you’ve been following the tech scene, you’ve likely heard about the Config 2023 Figma design conference. Brian Chesky, Airbnb’s CEO, made waves by asserting that they got rid of the traditional product management function. He said (see further details in this article):

Real-life examples of how to find a healthy work-life balance that fits you. And how to communicate it to your team. — One afternoon in Barcelona’s Poblenou neighborhood, I found myself torn between work obligations and family time. While strolling with my partner and toddler by the beach, my phone and watch buzzed incessantly with email notifications. Although I knew from the titles of those emails that they could wait until I…

I couldn't even whisper for an entire week full of meetings. Looking back, my interactions from this period provide lessons for all those who want to improve their engagements with research participants — About four months ago, I woke up to start what was going to be my first day at work after my maternity leave. Even before opening my eyes, however, I noticed that something was wrong. I couldn’t even whisper to my 5-month-old daughter that was laying right beside me.

This is golden!

Research starts with asking open questions and patiently listening before creating solutions. And even seemingly harmless closed-ended questions have negative consequences. — There is an Italian restaurant nearby my home in Barcelona, in the Sant Andreu district. As its logo and name show, this bistro is dedicated to the grandma of the owner. As you step into the restaurant, you see the pictures of this memorable woman through different episodes of her…

My parallel roles in parenting and UX Research provide me with an angle where experiences in one area help me gain clarity and reinterpret the other. — When Lázaro Corral Sánchez left Barcelona to spend a week in California for Life360 circle-up, I was left to parent alone our two kids. Beyond the physical hardships of the task, I found mentally challenging to be a caregiver 24/7, especially for our toddler.

It's not about knowing how to use a sophisticated design tool, making fancy-looking presentations, or coding — The other day I got a LinkedIn message from someone who wants to break into UX. They were saying that they were learning how to code and taking online courses on front-end web development to be a competitive candidate. I frequently hear similar stories. Both aspiring UX professionals and those…

What questions should we ask ourselves to create the right UX Research setup in the post-Covid era? — Today, some companies shifted to a remote-first set-up (e.g., Meta, Spotify, Life360). But others are back to the hybrid model where they ask their employees to work at least some days from the office. From what I’ve experienced, in the last two years, the UX Research community has adjusted decently…

Noticing the patterns that trigger second-guessing is the first step toward a satisfying professional journey in UX — In the past quarter, I've onboarded and mentored 5 UX Researchers at Glovo. Through this experience, I've observed that there seem to be certain patterns and ways of framing that can trigger second-guessing for anyone regardless of their seniority and responsibilities within their respective UX teams.