Humanizing Design with User Experience Research
Chris is a seasoned UX Researcher in the NYC area.
His responsibilities typically include:
Planning Research to support product design.
Collecting Data, primarily utilizing qualitative methods.
Synthesizing Data into insights and forward-looking strategies.
Aligning Teams across collected data.
Experience
In his 9-year career, Chris has completed over 100 projects.
He's gained valuable experience working with diverse teams and organizations, large and small, in agency, embedded team, and in-house settings.
Past Clients
ICF
Nulab
Capital Group
Wolters Kluwer
Verizon
Merrill Lynch
JP Morgan Chase
IBM
McKinsey
American Express
Goldman Sachs
FIA Tech
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB)
Project Scopes
The scope of Chris’ past and current work typically lies with B2B contexts along complex products and services.
The following are common project types he’s typically involved in.
Common Project Types
Usability Testing: Design testing evaluating user experience.
Generative / User Research: Data collection around user flows, use cases, mental models, behaviors, motivations, preferences, needs, context, etc.
Information Architecture / Card Sorting: Evaluation and improvements for taxonomy structures (Content structure, menus, product portfolios, etc.)
Content Strategy: Evaluation and alignment of content to meet customer needs and preferences.
Marketing Strategy: Identification of key marketing content that resonates with users.
Competitive Intelligence: Evaluation of competitor platforms and identification of competitor/industry trends.
Research Toolbox
Chris leverages a variety of methodologies to develop and enhance products, adapting his approach based on specific business goals and project requirements. Each method offers unique advantages that he strategically employs.
Commonly Leveraged Methods
User Interviews
Usability Testing & A/B Testing
Focus Groups
Journey Mapping
Card Sorting
Stakeholder Interviews & Workshops
Expert Reviews & Consistency/Standards Inspections
Personas
Surveys
Process
Inexperienced teams often struggle with the many complexities of research. Chris effectively manages these challenges through a defined, goal-driven research process.
Clear goals keep projects focused, while Chris’ strong understanding of the process allows for flexibility when needed.
The following six key aspects define his general approach.
1. Defining Project Goals
Well-defined project goals and research questions are crucial for providing direction and purpose to any research project. Chris prioritizes establishing these upfront, ensuring that data collection aligns with each and propels the team towards its desired outcome.
Common Considerations for Defining Project Goals
What needs to be better understood?
The target users?
The context of a problem?
A design’s effectiveness?
All of the above?
2. Recruiting Research Participants
The foundation of any successful research lies in credible and relevant data, which is directly dependent on recruiting the right respondents. Chris ensures that participants are appropriately targeted and screened, resulting in high-quality data.
Common Considerations for Recruitment
Do research participants possess the qualities of the target audience?
Do they include variations in your target audience?
Where can potential participants be found? and how can they be contacted?
3. Selecting Research Method(s)
Recognizing that each research method carries its own set of advantages and disadvantages, Chris selects the optimal approach based on project goals and circumstances.
Common Considerations for Selecting Method(s)
What type of data is being collected?
From which sources is data being collected?
Are there any obstacles with accessing data sources?
4. Fielding Research
Following thorough preparation in the preceding steps, the stage is set for collecting rich data. Chris ensures a positive and engaging research experience for participants while simultaneously guiding them to provide high-quality data.
Common Considerations for Fielding Research
How can smooth and natural conversation be facilitated?
How can research participants be encouraged to verbalize their thoughts and feelings?
How can forces driving user responses and behaviors be identified?
5. Distilling & Organizing Captured Data
Newly collected data is often vast and unorganized, requiring refinement before it can be effectively shared with a wider team. Chris transforms this raw data into concise research findings, highlighting key takeaways, implications, and actionable recommendations.
Common Considerations for Distilling and Organizing Data
How can data be best organized to:
Answer key project questions?
Show interesting trends?
Easily reference in the future?
6. Reporting & Aligning Stakeholders / Team Members
Recognizing that alignment across valuable data is crucial yet not automatic, Chris actively fosters it among team members and stakeholders. He understands that differing perspectives on new data can lead to divergent project directions.
Through findings presentations and facilitated discussions, Chris creates a platform for stakeholders and team members to learn, express their viewpoints, and consider the opinions of others.
This process encourages thoughtful dialogue about the problem space, allows for a thorough exploration of future strategies, promotes unified team movement, and preemptively addresses potential conflicts arising from differing opinions.
Common Considerations for Reporting & Aligning Stakeholders / Team Members
How can consensus be achieved across stakeholders / a team?
How can varying stakeholders / team member perspectives be cross-pollinated across the team?
How can differing stakeholder / team member opinions be reconciled?
Reach out!
If you’d like to get in touch with Chris, please feel free to contact him via email, LinkedIn, or through the following form.