IDF Course:
Using personal experience and generative research for a new product concept
Context
This research project is a course assignment. The goal of this study was to understand and discover how people approach the process of generating a functional and novel solution to problems in their everyday lives and work.
The insights on this process were used to construct a digital solution that can help users find inspiration for their work and build new ideas by making unexpected connections with various concepts.
I conducted all research activities as this was an individual project.
IDF - Researching a new product proposition
Project Overview
Goal
Create a solution that fosters and inspires its users to reach the “Aha!“ moment. A highly sought-after experience resulting in a sudden realization, inspiration, insight, or recognition, helping people who are on the lookout for a novel solution.
Task
Research the subject and identify problems, aims, and processes that people looking to generate new, creative, and functional solutions to their problems perform.
Collect primary and secondary data to build an understanding and solution.
Build a concept and test the design and function of the solution.
Key results
For each person the “Aha!“ moment is very unique, and most specifically, the way to get there. Some people take walks, and others cook, but in the end, people want to find the missing link that will help them solve a problem. That could mean just ” switching off” their brain or getting to see what others did.
Role
My role as a UX researcher in this study included the tasks of (1) writing a research plan; (2) performing secondary analysis; (3) organizing and conducting exploratory interviews; (4) conducting synthesis and analysis of the collected data; (5) designing and building a lo-fi prototype following the uncovered insights.
Methods & tools
▪ Conducting remote exploratory interviews through Zoom.
▪ Using Notion & Miro for data analysis and performing a scenario mapping.
▪ Utilizing Marver for lo-fi product testing & combining Procreate with Photoshop to generate the products’ UI.
IDF - Researching a new product proposition
Stage One
Conducting secondary research
I started this generative research project with the topic of creative problem-solving in mind. I chose this domain based on my personal experiences and observations of my colleagues involved in the design field.
With a defined subject area, I initiated this preliminary phase with a research plan that included a stage for researching the domain, then framing the identified problem(s) that could be solved, and gathering enough evidence for an initial product direction.
Identifying a direction and buildign a reserch plan
A discovery research project should start with a broad objective, which is why I did not constrain myself with technology or current solutions. Instead, I focused on finding out more about creativity and problem-solving through secondary research. I studied books and research papers to see just how big the topic is, what the opportunities might be there, and understand what people are doing now on to achieve certain outcomes.
IDF - Researching a new product proposition
Stage Two
Conducting a primary research
Through secondary research, I was able to uncover the topics and activities involved in creative problem-solving. I then need to understand better how people choose and apply such methods, and if they even consider creativity to be a part of this process. To get such insights, I conducted ten unstructured remote exploratory interviews with participants involved in creative jobs or hobbies.
It was crucial to ask questions that would not restrict the answers of the interviewees, so I used the TEDW approach. I formed open-ended statements to induce conversation and entice the participants to tell their honest stories. Some of the statements included “Talk me through.../Tell me…”; “Explain…”; “Describe…”; “Walk me through…”.
Analyzing data and making sense of it
Once I had transcribed the interviews and collected the observational notes, I applied deductive coding to make sense of the data. The generated codes were based on the interview guide and the key topics from the studied literature.
During the analysis, I looked for commonalities and differences between the interviewee’s problem-solving approaches, pain points, and solutions they have applied to solve personal and professional obstacles. This deductive approach saved me time and helped me focus on my areas of interest.
After sorting and synthesizing the data, I used the uncovered insights to define a unified problem-solving process that I used during the product design stage.
IDF - Researching a new product proposition
Stage Three
Building a the product
I used the scenario mapping process, so I could outline all the steps a user would take to perform a problem-solving task. These steps were defined earlier in the research synthesis and they were the foundation of the new product architecture.
The map was built with the research insights and includes notes about what people are thinking and feeling at each step. I used some raw data such as interviewee comments and information I felt was important for each step, as it will be used for the design of the product's UX and UI
Scenario mapping was the best choice for this task as it can be used to outline the intended or ideal scenario, and also what currently happens when a person tries to solve a problem.
I finally visualized the user’s pathway on the app through lo-fi sketches. After several ideation sessions on the products’ UX and three usability tests through Marvel, I finalised the app’s UI.
IDF - Researching a new product proposition
Research Results
Creating a new product
This research project concluded with the concept of a new app called Fuse. The product strives to inspire and help people seeking inspired and functional solutions to their problems. Fuse offers its users a space to post personal methods, inspirations, or ideas that could inspire people to reach an “Aha!“ moment and figure out a solution to their task.
By collecting scientific data on the subject of creative problem-solving and combining it with primary data from my qualitative interviews, I build the product in a way that people subconsciously or intentionally come up with ideas for solutions.
The saying “putting two and two together“ has never made more sense. Fuse is based on this exact principle making it possible for people to spot new opportunities and train their creative side.
Lessons
◼ Do not think about the analysis stage as the last task to be completed. Valuable information may appear at the very beginning of the research project. That is why observational notes must be done as soon as the data as it rolls in.
Bookmarking reviews or research papers, and lightly tagging while note-taking can also improve greatly the speed and time for collecting and analysing data.
◼ Some subjects can be very individual and unique for each person, which is why interviews can be conducted very differently from one person to another. When an interviewee hesitates or seems unsure of how to answer a question, waiting for them to reflect and continue speaking in a way that makes sense to them is crucial to conducting a successful interview. Silence, reading the questions from the participant, or mimicking the tone of the response can be helpful tools for the researcher when navigating a more complex interview process.
◼ The biggest error during exploratory interviews is for the researcher to jump in during an interviewee’s response and provide prompts or suggestions as a way to “help out“ the participant's answer or understand a question better. This interference from the researcher can lead to biased responses that do not accurately reflect the participant's actual perceptions. In addition, it will influence the behaviour of the interviewee by making them feel misunderstood or uncomfortable.