Conduct a Full User Research Study
Part of the UI/UX Design Roadmap
In short
This project puts the whole phase together: plan, recruit, interview, test, synthesise and share. Done well, it's the strongest case study a junior designer can show.
The practice project for this phase — take a real problem or product from research plan through interviews and synthesis to a set of clear, actionable findings.
Think of it like this
Solving a detective case
A good detective starts with a clear question, talks to witnesses, visits the scene, pins clues on a board and connects them. Finally they present the answer with evidence. Your study follows the same path.
Watch it happen
Your study plan
1/5Write the research question, the methods you'll use, who you need and the timeline.
The big ideas
What you need to know
One clear question
A focused question like 'why do students stop using budget apps?' beats a vague 'understand students'.
Recruit the right people
A screener form makes sure participants actually have the problem you're studying.
Evidence in every finding
Back each insight with quotes or observations, so readers trust your conclusions.
End with actions
Turn insights into 'How might we...' questions or recommendations the team can act on.
See it in code
Walk through the code
1Research question:2 Why do college students stop using budgeting apps?3Goals:4 1. Understand how students track money today5 2. Find why they drop budgeting apps6Methods: 6 interviews (30 min), 1 survey (50+ replies)7Participants: students who tried a budget app and quit8Timeline: Week 1 recruit, Week 2 interview, Week 3 synthesise9Output: 3-5 insights, 1 persona, 1 journey map1/4The single question the study answers. Everything else serves it.
A one-page research plan. Writing it first keeps the whole study focused and makes your case study easy to follow.
Save yourself the pain
Common mistakes
Oops
Starting interviews without a written plan.
Do this instead
Write a one-page plan first. It keeps questions focused and makes synthesis easier.
Oops
Presenting a pile of raw quotes as findings.
Do this instead
Synthesise into a few insights with evidence and recommendations. Quotes support the story; they aren't the story.
Your mission
Milestone 1: plan and recruit
Quick check
Why use a screener form before booking interviews?
Go deeper
- 1Pick a product or problem space you have genuine access to talk to users about.
- 2Combine at least 2 methods (e.g. interviews plus a survey) for richer signal.
- 3Synthesize with affinity mapping and write a short findings report with 3-5 clear insights.
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