UI Breakfast: UI/UX Design and Product Strategy
Episode 280: User Interviewing Techniques with Steve Portigal
Mar 8, 2024
In this discussion, Steve Portigal, a seasoned user research consultant and author of "Interviewing Users," shares invaluable insights into effective user interviewing techniques. He emphasizes the importance of preparation, including crafting insightful interview guides and understanding participant dynamics. Steve highlights the duality of excitement and anxiety in interviews and offers tips on reading non-verbal cues. He also compares the roles of a podcast host and a research interviewer, and stresses the need for ethical sensitivity while building meaningful connections with users.
50:30
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Quick takeaways
- Preparing for user interviews with clear objectives and a flexible guide is essential to adapt and gather valuable insights.
- Recognizing behavior cues and varying response styles enhances engagement, allowing researchers to facilitate deeper discussions and understanding.
Deep dives
The Evolution of User Research
The guest shares his journey into user research dating back before the web, highlighting the initial lack of established concepts such as UX. He describes the innovative approach taken by his early consultancy, focused on understanding user needs before product development. This involved observing users in various scenarios, such as meal preparation and technology setups, to derive insights that could inform design processes. His extensive experience, accumulated over 25 years, has shaped his understanding of user research's critical role in product development despite the evolving landscape of the field.
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