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         A few weeks ago we explored the concept of Design Thinking and how that can be carried out in order to better understand a users pain points and learn how to effectively address them. During the design thinking process, there is a brainstorming phase in which all the ideas surrounding user opinions, user needs, and design issues are brought to light. This can be a pretty overwhelming portion of the design phase, and brainstorming is something that can occur even outside of the design context. However, brainstorming can often become cluttered and overwhelming if there are too many ideas being thrown around. So, how do we organize all the great ideas we have so that we can figure out the best ones?

Experts can be very helpful during initial design efforts for a product, sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience with a development team to guide their understanding of user requirements. After all, they understand everything in the domain so well and know a ton of skills, some of which they can perform without breaking a sweat. But what if we told you that expert influence on early design decisions can also introduce biases if not adequately checked?

      Good research does not have to be a super in-depth, complicated process. UX research that can garner a great deal of valuable insight can oftentimes be done in a simple, cost-effective manner. As seen through the 5-Second Test, some UX tests can be administered in basically five seconds which then allows for many people to complete the test in a short period of time. The more people who can complete a test or a study automatically means a greater response rate, and therefore, a greater yield of results. Quick and easy UX tests are not only effective in terms of the qualitative and quantitative data they can yield, but they are also cost-effective due to the quick and easy way in which they can be carried out. So, what are some other quick yet effective forms of UX tests that we can easily carry out?

One of the most effective ways to connect with your customer base is using online survey tools. Market research statistics can provide meaningful insight into details about a market, strategies, and customers.

An online survey can help customer relationship representatives gauge customer satisfaction, solicit information from existing or prospective customers, or help human resources professionals learn what matters to employees.

The idea of biometrics in XR isn’t a terribly new one. Methods like heart rate and eye tracking are pretty popular in the research community. Academic researchers have been using physiological signals to measure changes in user states for decades and some AR applications have begun integrating biosignals to inform changes to the system. What is a newer idea is using biosignals as a user controlled input method.

  Biometrical Authorization, while something that sounds like it would be straight out of a sci-fi film, is basically a security process that relies on certain key biological features in order for an individual to verify themselves. No more complicated login processes; with biometrical authorization, all that is needed is the specific physiological or behavioral characteristic required such as facial recognition, fingerprint identification, or voice recognition. Nor is this concept necessarily a new one; a wide variety of industries use biometrical authorization as a means to bypass traditional username and password verifications or logins. We already see an implementation of biometrical authorization in a wide variety of devices, such as fingerprint login for mobile phone and devices. So, why are we talking about it?

Over the last year, smart assistants like the Amazon Echo and Google Home have become some of the top tech devices. The evolution from early voice assistants, only capable of simple commands, to multi-featured smart assistants has attracted a wider audience. As these constantly-learning smart AIs are becoming more deeply integrated into our world, it is important for our research team to know and understand the average customer journey; from when they unbox the device to usage.

2017 was an amazing year filled with so many exciting new projects, people, knowledge, and experiences. As we move into a brand new year, it is always nice to look back on all that was accomplished in the past year to help gear up for the new one. We at Key Lime Interactive are very excited to see all that 2018 has to offer!

“User Experience designers and researchers can impact the course of events by creating technology, products and services that are inclusive at their core.”- WUD2017

    This past Thursday, November 9th, was the Puget Sound World Usability Day 2017 event, which focused on the theme of inclusion through user experience. This theme addressed the power of technology as a medium that brings people together and helps us to embrace our similarities. This powerful theme attracted a wide range of industry members, from Google to Amazon, to two Key Limers. This WUD 2017 was extra special for us because our amazing VP of Client Insights, Steve Foster, gave a presentation on Biometrics in UX Research.

In collaboration with Mindy Eng.

Products created in the digital era are products that reach global audiences. In crafting meaningful experiences for these products, product teams need to consider both the individual and collective experiences of these products across all cultures. Global usability addresses the cultural, ethnographic, and linguistic implications of designing user-friendly products for users around the world.