A Year in Review (2019) — 5 things I’ve learnt as a Design Researcher
2019 was a great year for Heist. We had the opportunity to take on many big projects and conduct fieldwork in several new cities. While the year saw us hustling from project to project, we were also blessed with many new experiences and opportunities to learn and improve as individuals. As the team is gearing up for more exciting opportunities in 2020, it is perfect to reflect on the year that has gone by and share some of my personal takeaways.
1. You are not just a Design Researcher
Being a Design Researcher in a young innovation consultancy means wearing many hats. In my day-to-day role, I juggle several different responsibilities, such as being a researcher, project manager and storyteller. Besides conducting fieldwork and unearthing key insights from data, I am constantly looking for new ways to showcase our research and convey the value of the work we do. Through the lifecycle of a project, I liaise with various stakeholder and clients involved in the project to make sure the schedules are sync and everything is running smoothly.
I personally value the opportunity to work beyond my job scope. A good Design Researcher should not only be able to conduct research. They should also be familiar with all aspects of the project, including planning, logistics and managing key clients. In this increasingly complex and connected world, it is important that, as designers, we remain versatile and continuously look for ways in which we can add value to our skills and expertise.
2. Always Look for New Ways of Working
Design Thinking is an iterative process. We gather data, conduct observations and constantly look for ways to improve a product or service. A client’s internal processes and ways of working should be viewed with the same mindset as well. At Heist, every time a project is completed, the team works together on a retrospective. This is where we discuss aspects we have done well and areas that we can do better. We often look at how we can improve as individuals and how Heist can continuously do great work while keeping our physical and mental well-being in check. These learnings and new ideas are applied to our next project and subjected to another round of honest evaluation once the project is completed.
Over the course of my time at Heist, I’ve had the opportunity to see our project set-up process continuously being streamlined. While we have a comfortable framework for managing our projects after many iterations across countries and cultures, we never settle for doing things just as expected — and are constantly looking for ways to do better work. This can include challenging a project brief, refining nuances for recruitment and of course, looking for sharp insights that directly impact our clients’ innovation and design processes.
3. Design Research is a Team Sport
At Heist, we value people who are comfortable speaking up and offering a new perspective to problems. Ethnography is a collaborative process, and I’m thankful to have the opportunity to work with many talented researchers who are never afraid to challenge my perceptions and push me to think deeper and broader. Having a solo researcher working on a project might result in insights that are particular to their own experiences and mindset. However, working with a dynamic team of designers with different backgrounds and experiences often results in impactful and insightful opportunities. As much as we want to build onto existing ideas, it is also important to challenge existing assumptions and strive to continuously sharpen an insight. It is also important to recognize and lean into each other’s strengths along the way.
4. Have Faith in the Process
Starting a new project can be quite daunting. As design researchers, we are often expected to leave preconceived notions behind and start every project with a fresh outlook. However, this always means that you cannot anticipate the insights that come out of each project. Learning to be comfortable with ambiguity — this is a key skill for everyone involved in the design process.
Over the last two years, I’ve learnt that it is important to have faith in the process. Even while the sheer amount of raw data deters you or you cannot seem to make sense of it all, believe that as long as you work through the process methodically, you will see the light at the end of the tunnel. As you are moving through each phase of the research, try to keep yourself focused and not worry about the next one. Some projects might require more time for the team to relook at what has been done to provide sharper insight and opportunity. Anytime I have rushed through the synthesis process, I have been asked to review and rework. This has taught me that after fieldwork is over, and all the photographs and notes have been neatly organized — we need to give ourselves time and space to absorb, review and make sense of everything we have learnt.
5. Make Time for Inspiration
While our projects, often conducted overseas can get hectic, it is also important to take time out to feel inspired. As designers, we are often expected to always have creative ideas, but this does not mean cramming articles about innovative products before an ideation session. It is imperative to feel constantly inspired by the things around us and keep on top of the newest trends and discussions in design. One of the ways I’ve sought to stay inspired is by subscribing to a daily newsletter that sends interesting stories and creations from all over the world. At Heist, we have team tools in place for frequent sharing sessions — from the books we are reading, to art and films down to the apps we love or are itching to redesign. Many of our recommendations have made it onto our monthly newsletter. When the team is in Singapore, we do an interesting activity every month to keep our brain juices flowing. This could be visiting a museum exhibit or a beautiful cafe with an interesting concept and doing a team reflection at the end of the trip to share our thoughts.
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2019 has been a great year of growth for me as a Design Researcher. I am ready to embrace all the opportunities and challenges that come with 2020. Looking forward to all the new adventures!
