What does a good research lab look like?
We’ve recently gone through a lab refresh at Foolproof, during the process we discovered some key elements that should be thought about when designing your own research lab. If you’re unsure of whether or not you should be designing your own lab you should read my post on the topic.
If you are ready to start thinking about what a good research lab should look like keep reading…
In an ideal world
You’d have multiple rooms, set up for different scenarios and types of testing (e.g. focus groups or 1:1 depth interviews), purpose built and set up with the latest kit. But that’s expensive and often totally un-feasible.
Design the experience from the moment they walk in…
Start from the beginning, what do they see when they arrive at the venue?
Seeing any branding could influence users and their expectations going into the session. Keep things neutral, but welcoming. The space should also not be too clinical so look to add some points of interest by using artwork or muted colours.
Also, consider where your participants sit and wait for the session. Is it comfortable? Do they have a drink or any snacks to welcome them? Making them feel “at home” will help them to relax and feel more comfortable walking into the session.
Comfort can come from a sense of familiarity, but also from physical factors such as light and temperature. We are naturally sensitive to the environment and so ensuring aspects such as these are adjustable is important to relax users.
Top tip: Avoid the use of hard flooring outside of the research labs. Hearing footsteps back and forth whilst you are trying to conduct a session can be distracting and detrimental to recordings.
Plan for flexibility
Budget and space have a big impact on what you can do. You might be focused on one type of research now, but insight should come from a range of sources, and a range of methodologies so the space needs to reflect this. In addition, you need to think about the different scenarios in which someone might use your product. How can these scenarios be simulated using the space you have? For example, would they be using it in an office or home environment? Are they likely to be sitting or standing to use it? An effective space needs to accommodate as much of a customer’s natural behaviour as possible.
If you’re not lucky enough to have multiple spaces available to you. Consider a room layout like the one pictured below:
This layout incorporates a range of scenarios. The desk should be height adjustable, this helps to make things comfortable for the user. It can also become a standing desk if required. Standing can help to prompt action and is great if you’re looking for users to ideate and become creative. A workspace such as a white board is also recommended and can be used for card sorts or exercises. Importantly, all of the furniture should be light and moveable allowing for different research methodologies e.g. focus groups to be run in the space.
Of course, all of this is based on what you’re testing. You should always consider ways to replicate the true context in which something would be used.
Top Tip: It’s best if users can always see the door. Being able to see the exit to the room instils a level of comfort so try to accommodate this into your room layout.
The room — comfortable, secure, familiar
Just as the experience leading up to the research lab should be non-clinical, the research room should be welcoming and comfortable. Avoid white walls and a complete lack of colour. Keep the palette neutral, non-branded, and non-gendered and remember, colours which are too dark or too bright can overwhelm participants and have negative influences on testing.
The space and furniture should be comfortable, encouraging users to relax. Soft furnishings can support soundproofing and improve acoustics, both of which are important factors for any recording or viewing. Comfy chairs that are adjustable are also recommended.
As noted previously, lighting and temperature are important and should be adjustable in the room. There should be no direct lighting above desks or workspaces, it causes reflections on screens which can impact the quality of recordings. The same goes for avoiding glossy materials or surfaces, including desks.
Top tip: Clocks should not be visible to participants as they can cause distraction and unsettle them.
Accessibility should be accommodated for across all aspects of the lab design and construction. To ensure you are not excluding any user base you should consider how access to the building and technical aspects work.
Viewing experience
As noted in my previous blog, observing research helps to engage stakeholders. It is therefore worth spending some time thinking about how to make this experience both comfortable and productive.
Avoid the use of two-way mirrors. They are old fashioned, can make the participants uncomfortable and mean the viewers have to sit in darkness. At Foolproof we have TV screens in the viewing rooms to stream the session to clients. This means the viewing rooms do not have to be next to the research labs and that the live stream can also be viewed remotely. If the rooms are next door to each other, good soundproofing should be in place, so the viewers don’t have to worry about whispering.
The viewing room should be a productive space. Encourage collaboration by having whiteboards, post-its and pens. Giving viewers space to work and share ideas during the sessions is a great way to engage them.
As well as the viewing room, if you have the space to do so, provide a quiet space for viewers to step out and take calls or have meetings. This is a ‘nice to have’, but it can save distractions in the viewing room and ensure the focus is on the research.
Consider making the viewers feel comfortable. This can be encouraged through the choice of furniture. Avoid sofas and chairs that are too comfy, you don’t want the viewers to relax too much and become unengaged. Drinks and snacks are a nice touch which also add to comfort levels.
Top tip: Make sure the viewing room (and the lab) have plenty of plug sockets for all of the tech. These things are a faff to add at a later date.
Summary
What your lab will look like depends on your own business needs and goals. The type of research you’ll be conducting and of course, the funds you have available. Many of the aspects noted above are nice to have and are not necessarily required on day 1. It is possible to do all of this on a budget if you plan both the participant and viewing experience carefully.
