The UX Life Chose Me Newsletter #48
October 2024
Hello.
Another month and another set of interesting links and events to get you thinking about how to improve your research.
I hope there’s at least one link that really makes you think!
Enjoy.
Penny
From the Editors Keyboard
I am currently enrolled on the Manager Training Program at work and this month attended Module 7. It’s been really interesting and insightful so far and every module has given me something to take away and use as a new manager.
The same happened this month. I won’t share all of it, but the one that stood out for me was when the tutor said that when people we work with do odd things, we should remember ‘it makes sense to them’.
That totally resonated with me, I am forever wondering why people have done things.
Why did the neighbors block the road with their bins? Cos they wanted to load up their car before going on holiday.
Why did the guy who nearly hit me with his car when I was running, shout at me (it wasn’t my fault)? Cos he’d scared himself and that was the way to let it out.
And why do our customers do this or that? Well that’s the million dollar question.
I love it when I speak to participants and something they say or do gives me an insight into their world that helps me learn more about how we can help them.
For instance, talking to postmasters about ordering leaflets for their branches, no one could work out why they weren’t selecting one of the images for the leaflet. Talking to them I realised they thought we wanted them to include an image of their actual store, but none of them had photos like this on the devices they were using.
As soon as you understand that you understand why they aren’t adding an image. It makes sense to them.
This isn’t new, this is what I do as a researcher and as a people watcher, but I love that phrase ‘it makes sense to them’. It really encapsulates what I do — try to make sense of what/why people do things.
Have you found a phrase or word that helps to explain what you do when speaking to other people? Do share, I love anything that helps me to explain to others what I do day-to-day.
Interesting Stuff
Two Useful Prompts To Explore Intent & Behaviour
Adrian Howard, September 2024, 8 min read
We all know we need to be careful about the assumptions we make. Adrian gives us two great questions to help us push past our assumptions. Perfect for work and real life.
The Inclusive UX Research Playbook From CVS Health Inclusive Design
Greg Weinstein, August 2024, 12 min read
Wondering how to be more inclusive in your research practice? This playbook will get you started and help you and your team adapt your approach.
Reframing UX Research For GenAI
Katie Schmidt, Hayley Mortin and Jessa Anderson, September 2024, 10 min read
The start of a series looking at researching AI experiences. I’m interested to see how it compares to conducting research for non-AI experiences.
Strategic Storytelling For Designers
Saielle Montgomery, December 2017, 8 min read
Don’t let the title put you off, there is a lot here for researchers who need to present their work back to stakeholders.
8 Maxims To Help You Think Straight about UX Research
Lawton Pybus, December 2023, 10 min read
“A well-worded turn of phrase can capture the essence of a challenging topic and stick in your mind for decades.” And hopefully make you a better researcher.
The Truth About Research Insights
Dave Tang, December 2023, 11 min read
Have you ever presented research to be met with a big fat ‘so what?’? Then you should have a read of this — spoiler: insights are different for everyone.
Magnetic Methods: Your Ultimate Innovation Kit
Magnetic, 2 min read
These cards look like they might be useful and fun! Not sure what’s included in the free sample but who doesn’t love a new way to look at innovation methods?
Book of the Month
This months book is Validating Product Ideas by Tomer Sharon. Aimed more at product people or developers it’s still a good resource if you want to learn more about how to validate ideas in a lean environment.
Events
Managing What We Know: Lessons From The Atlassian Research Library
UXinsights, 29 October 2024
An online webinar looking at how we can make our research easy to reference in the future. This session looks great for people just starting to build their library or those who have one but wish to get more from it.
World Usability Day
14 November 2024
It’s a shame we still need a day like this. This years theme is ‘Designing for a better world’. Visit their website to find an event near you.
And Finally
We’ve just started to work with Askable to recruit participants for research. Of course it’s a whole bunch more than that, as I find out each time I speak with the team. The tote bag I was gifted when we had our induction made me laugh!
(totally unsponsored post — I just wanted to share the tote with you)
Seen something out in the wild you think other UX Researchers would be interested in or a new research related book perhaps? Send me the link and maybe I’ll include it in my next newsletter.
