Design is nothing without the user, and the best way to find out what the user wants is to talk to them face-to-face. In this class, we will cover everything you need to get started with conducting user interviews to collect valuable qualitative data that will help you humanize your designs. You’ll learn how to write a script...and how/when to veer off the script. You’ll learn how to listen to the user’s stories, and how to respond on the fly to a constantly adapting conversation.
We will also discuss how to make your interview an inclusive and ethical experience so that your data represents the diversity of your users. I will also share some tips and tricks that I picked up during my time as an actor on how to (gasp) talk to strangers!
This class is intended for designers of all levels who are looking to inject their process with a healthy dose of empathy—all you will need is something to write on and something to write with!
Although semi-structured interviews and feel suspiciously like conversations, we have to keep in mind that at the end of the day, we are looking for qualitative data to fuel our design process. Therefore, a script or outline (however basic) is necessary for getting the most out of an user interview.
For our class project, you'll get the chance to work on a simple interview script from a template provided for reference. If you're stuck or don't have a specific project to use as a reference, try writing your script with an existing product in mind!
After you're done, feel free to post the fruits of your labor in our gallery! Bonus points if you use your script to conduct a real interview! (Hint: leave enough space in your script for handwritten notes).
