Users can provide valuable insights and ideas through active participation in user experience (UX) research projects. Engaging users generates a variety of in-depth observations and results. Techniques like hands-on tasks, invoking imagination, and elements of surprise can help build user engagement. A UX study engaged users by asking them to record their interactions with a device over five days, resulting in more extensive recordings and new, unexpected ideas.

1. WWW.WITFLOW.COM DESIGN RESEARCH TRAININGS KNOW HOW 1
ENGAGING USERS IN UX RESEARCH
+48 530 837 629
contact@witflow.com

2. 2
CREATIVE ENERGY
40%
of the users engage actively in
modifying and improving
products that they use.
Why not to use their creative energy
and potential of their ideas?
ŹRÓDŁO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V1dWH4X9U0

3. 3
Why should we engage users
in the UX research?

4. 4
Users know much more
than they think they know
http://vsm.com--live.com/admin/uploads/epicsnaps.com/1338834266-brain-art.jpg

5. 5
Variety and diversity of the
in-depth observations and results

6. 6
Engagement enhances
reflection and discussion
Pleased respondents might
help in recruitment
to further projects

7. How can we build users’ engagement
in UX research projects?
7

8. 8
More action – less words.
Users will speak their mind
while DOING hands-on tasks

9. 9
Invoke imagination, recall
archetypes and commonly
shared symbols

10. 10
Use inspiring materials,
attractive forms,
visual elements

11. 11
Uncertainty and the element
of surprise foster curiosity

12. 12
Let the user be the one in
control of the situation

13. 13
How to persuade
13 people to do
something weird and
unusual for 5 days?
…and record
1h 8 min 22 sec
(instead of 25 min)
of their interactions
with the device

14. 14
18
TVs
29
participants
19
hours of recordings
75
envelopes with tasks
339,6
kilometers covered by the research team

15. 15
METHODOLOGY
User tests Diary studies Cultural probe

16. 16
EXAMPLES
What were the users engaged in
during 5 days of the study?

17. 17
Users were involved in discovering
the new features spontaneously
while recording the reportages

18. 18
(almost) everybody wants
to be a star for a while
Spontaneous reactions &
authentic emotions in the
short documentaries

19. 19
Clear role & clear
goal for the user
Task: Please record
a short movie telling
how to use your
Smart TV (…)

20. 20
http://helpwiththetoughquestions.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/freedom-in-the-shape-of-a-cross.jpg
Katharsis? Relief?
Eventually, frustration
and anger were revealed

21. 21
Provided materials were
accompanied by additional
notes and comments

22. 22
NEW, UNEXPECTED IDEAS
Task: Please take your remote control(s) and paper over all
the elements that are redundant in your opinion.
What I was given? What do I need?

23. 23
WRAP UP
Engaging users in the research
project is worh an extra effort
It will pay back with a variety of
in-depth observations and
results
Action, control, imagination and
curiosity enhance engagement

24. DESIGN RESEARCH TRAINING KNOW HOW 24
THANK YOU!
KATARZYNA
MAŁKIEWICZ
UX Researcher
km@witflow.com