Author: Andrew Linscott

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overview

The short-form report is the place to rely on the story of your findings. Create compelling visuals that quickly communicate the research outcomes and build empathy by taking a closer look at individual insights that really stuck out for you. Bring it all together in a format that is easily shareable.

Pro tip: if you’re using PowerPoint, be sure to utilize the notes section for each slide to provide additional context. This will help drive consistency in messaging if the deck gets passed around to someone who may have missed the presentation and will also help keep your slides clean.

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overview

The long-form report is more a traditional research report document. This is a much more exhaustive format that can be provided as a follow-up to a research presentation. As you prepare your report, be sure to:

1. Start with a summary and then include findings in a categorical order that makes sense (ex: by user role).
2. Include visual representations of the data…it should be visually interesting for your readers.
3. Provide clear and concise insight statements and supporting quotes.
4. Draw relationships between insights and recommendations.
5. Address any research gaps, additional considerations, and next steps.

Pro tip: a long-form should never be provided as the sole deliverable, there should always be some sort of brief overview or presentation that precedes it.

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Overview

Synthesis is the process of sensemaking, sharing stories and prioritizing, creating a coherent summary of your design research, and considering actions for the client or design team based on clear evidence.

Start by looking for common insights across observations that speak to underlying behaviors. Next, group your insights into emerging themes and define the key drivers. Finally, prioritize and ideate recommendations for how we might design a new pathway that directly addresses underlying behavior.

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overview

Persona development t is a process in which user archetypes grounded in ethnographic data are developed in alignment with the goals, behaviors, and pain points of real users.

Participants

Design team

Duration

1 week

Result

Research-based archetypes that drive user-centered design

Output

Images, biography, quotes, motivations, goals

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Overview

Journey mapping is a holistic view of an experience that exposes opportunities for design by illustrating the user’s interactions, pain points, and emotions from end to end

Participants

The design team, stakeholders

Duration

1 week

Result

Understanding of the key moments of a user’s experience

Output

Journey map diagram

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Overview

Ecosystem maps are used to visualize the types of relationships between people, places, devices/products, and information. They help paint the bigger picture and can be really useful for highlighting innovation opportunities. Once you’ve completed the ecosystem map, you can identify the biggest overarching pain points and define the desired user experience. The output of this exercise can be done with pen and paper or digitally.

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Overview

Mind mapping is a visual thinking tool that structures information and supports lateral thinking through rapid diagramming of thought process.

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overview

Unlike personas, archetypes are modeled on behavioral perspectives…the who, what, and why. Archetypes can help us understand behavioral patterns and validate interactive design choices. The concept of an archetype contains three fundamental components:

1. They tell a universal human story
2. They represent an aspirational pursuit
3. They can be perceived at the conscious and subconscious level

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