Doctoral research
My research explores structured ways to implement UX metric standardization, from subjective and objective measurements, to inform the direction of new interaction models and strategies in the early stages of the project. Applying mix method research to analyze and correlate emerging UX variables with the most common models from behavioral and social sciences.
Tailoring the concept of provocative prototypes - called provotypes- to design new information technologies, I proposed guided heuristics to unveil hidden assumptions inside cross-functional teams through early data collected from the actors involved in the system.
Meaning Framing & Interaction attributes
Most projects begin from internal business opportunities exploring how to apply technologies that are new for the company or are already expanding fast in the market. To balance this early framing, the four levels of complexity characterized in the HCI pyramid situate the discussion towards the UX complexity and the design value for people around a problem; this initial discussion can guide the design of prototypes in the early phases of the project collecting feedback from the actors involved in the system.
The design of these provocative early prototypes – called provotypes, is facilitated by exploring intersubjective variables about how people experience time, space, and information. These variables, known as interaction attributes, can be used to create different versions of prototypes that can solve the same problem differently.
We can study how people experience these prototypes under the lenses of behavioral and social sciences models, especially in complex problems like behavior change or value-driven design. The synergy between the decisions embedded in the prototype and the resulting experience is what we call good design.
The model offers an overall route for UX researchers to structure the initial project research phase and unveil hidden assumptions, usually coming from the project framing, and create meaningful interactions that people not only enjoy but are aligned to their goals and values.
One size doesn’t fit all
The fast-paced UX research in industry demands a flexible and open mindset without losing the academic rigor to produce new knowledge. Balancing these two requirements, speed and rigor, can only be reinforced within a comprehensive understanding of how the research methods selected are the right ones for the research question and the desired outcomes.
As we can imagine, one set of methods cannot explain the complexity of today’s problems. In this sense, UX research is an open field of study without exclusivity to a particular research paradigm. It is the responsibility of the researcher to go beyond their comfort zone and articulate multiple research traditions and emerging approaches to engage interdisciplinary teams.
As John Maeda mentioned in his year design presentations, “In reality, design is not that important,” As a UX researcher and design advocate, my vision is not to position design research at the center of the project. On the contrary, it is to empower the cross-functional teams involved, challenging our assumptions about the role of technology and how it can facilitate meaningful interactions. My goal is to distribute the power we have as decision-makers to be equal actors in building a better society.
Below are some visualizations of research approaches developed with my team at Harman International. We used them to discuss the multiple options with clients and find the best fit for the project.
