Unlocking the Desk Research: How We Do Research for Websites and Apps
July 10, 2024
Inha Tolochenko
3 min
Desk research is a standard first step in starting a new UX/UI project at Obriy Design Büro. In this article, our team will explain why desk research is important when we design websites and applications.
Research in UX/UI design refers to gathering information and conducting research using existing, publicly available sources and materials, typically without direct interaction with users or stakeholders.
The research-driven approach is fundamental to creating stand-out, user-friendly, and competitive digital products and interfaces.
Here are some reasons why is desk research is vital for designing solutions:
– Valuable insights into user preferences, behaviors, and requirements.
– Research helps align design decisions with business goals and user needs.
– Use research results to refine the site’s structure, content, and tone of voice, or even explore unexpected experimental ideas.
– Staying ahead of the market trends to create sustainable solutions.
This step is essential for understanding the client’s goals, expectations, and requirements, which in turn, informs the design process.
Ask the client if they have any information about competitors, target audience and industry benchmarks that could inform the design process.
Understanding the audience’s needs is important for ensuring that design effectively meets the needs and preferences of the intended users.
In Art de Vivre, we shaped the target audience’s needs, improved actual functionality, and generated and implemented a new one. Also, we considered the target audience’s lifestyle when designing Art de Vivre online magazine cause there is a specific group of Old Money people.
Obriy designers suggest up to 3 visual directions based on the market insights and target audience. The client makes their choice, we clarify, and then proceed to the UI concept phase for alignment.
When regular research falls short, we add extra methods, like interviews, to gather more insights.
Working on the Customertimes project (CT), we encountered a challenge: CT has 10 different applications, but users had trouble finding the right fit for their industry.
Our solution: In-depth research involving interviews with key stakeholders like sales managers, product owners, designers, and CT decision-makers.
Interviews yielded valuable insights and feedback, enhancing our understanding of the system. We restructured the layout, introduced new pages, and added a subscription section, along with clear explanations of how payment plans function. To further simplify the user experience, we introduced a “user cases” section, providing tailored program recommendations for specific professions.
Desk research is an essential part of the website and application design process. If you want to be sure that your design approach is in sync with the needs of the business, don't ignore this stage. Research activities ensure that the design solution is aligned with the target audience and business objectives, and ultimately meets the client's expectations.
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