How to become An UX Researcher

UX (user experience) Researchers dig up valuable data on user behaviour, motives, needs and pain-points to enhance the design of trendy and profit-making products and services.

• User Researcher
• User Experience Researcher 
• Design Researcher

What do UX Researchers do?

A UX Researcher would typically need to:

• Give businesses, product designers and product developers rewarding insights into user behavior and psychology to inform the product design process
• Work with design, product and marketing colleagues to understand business needs; develop suitable research studies to yield user-centric insights
• Design and execute customer research to promote the organisational objectives; create user journeys and personas
• Conceive and undertake research studies such as user testing, field studies, usability tests, concept tests and group discussions
• Recruit targeted end-users, moderate one-on-one usability sessions, devise research scripts and conduct the research
• Combine, organise and analyse quantitative and qualitative data to help drive product and design decisions; present reports
• Collaborate with UI (user interface)/UX designers, engineers, programmers and product and project managers to establish the intent, creation, testing and betterment of simple and appealing prototypes
• Ensure websites adhere to the legal rules and regulations

UX Researchers typically work from an office at a desk and computer, from home or at a client’s business. You may travel to attend client meetings at their offices. You will work closely with UI/UX designers, data analysts, developers, engineers, programmers, product managers,  project managers, and clients.

Barring some weekend and evening work to meet deadlines, UX Researchers enjoy a standard 40-hour workweek with regular office hours from 9-5, Monday to Friday.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. UX researchers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, accessing job search platforms and specialist game publications, leveraging social media and inquiring at staffing agencies. Jobs can also be obtained on a short-term contract, part-time or freelance basis. Employment opportunities abound in almost all industries, in the public and private sectors, multinational companies, and SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises). 

UX Researchers are generally employed by:

• Media Companies
• Digital Marketing Agencies
• Telecommunications Organisations
• Banks
• Web Development Agencies
• Retail Firms

Professional associations and organizations, such as The Association of Software Professionals, are crucial for UX Researchers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• Locating and scheduling interviews with customers for user research; making sure participants show up for the actual interview
• Technical issues involving the phone or Webex during remote research sessions
• Bias stemming from multiple participants in a group interview as opposed to a one-on-one session
• The high likelihood that the scheduled user research may be a very low priority for the customer who may be easily distracted by other environmental factors
• Occasional absence from home at night when travelling to meet clients

A year in industry, an internship, or work placement included in your bachelor’s program will help you acquire invaluable experience in launching and iterating quickly, using data and conducting user research. 

Some educational institutions offer an advanced UX professional integrated degree apprenticeship with industry stalwarts; it combines paid work with part-time study. UX Researcher Internships are a viable option, even after completing one’s degree.

Speculative applications to organisations seeking work experience or shadowing will also allow prospective UX Researchers to understand the role while building useful contacts in the industry, especially if their degree is not directly related to the role.

Take the time to invest in your own user research on websites and extracurricular activities such as hackathons or company competitions, meet-ups, conferences and workshops aimed at the UX community. These are alternate options to understand UI design, qualitative and user-centred design methodologies, and quantitative, behavioural analysis and statistics.

You can also invest about two hours to create an A/B test (split test) for a web page, analyse UX survey data or communicate research results through empathy maps. Blogs and podcasts will further help you learn industry-specific vocabulary and stay abreast of the latest developments in the field.

In the absence of a bonafide UX research degree, reading about the discipline, networking with people in the field and shadowing/volunteering on projects to build a portfolio will facilitate your entry into the field. 

Most individuals find the path leading to UX research is a circuitous one. More than one route will help you become one. However, most aspiring UX Researchers begin with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, cognitive science, statistics, psychology, economics, anthropology or information systems. 

Digital design/media, computer science, digital marketing, media technology, graphic design and web design are other subjects that can help you become a successful UX Researcher.

Applicants whose undergraduate degree does not include computing, digital technology or design may take a short accredited course in UX to enhance their knowledge or complete a master’s in UX design or human-computer design/interaction.

Non-degree applicants with a keen interest in web and applications design may find UX boot camps, UX research certificates and specialisations that will help pave the way for a career in this field.

One can also pursue an accredited UX design certificate that includes around 200 hours of instruction and practice-based activities focused on the foundations of UX design and research, wireframes, prototypes and testing.

Certification demonstrates a UX Researcher’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination.

Certification in usability experience, interaction design, UX management, design thinking and UX research from an objective and reputed organisation can help you stand out in a competitive job market and allow you to become an independent consultant.

The courses may help build your knowledge of guiding principles, user research, illustrating the context of use, measuring usability, information architecture, interaction design, visual design, user interface prototyping and usability evaluation.

Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive the career progression of UX researchers who may choose between management, specialisation or related roles. 

The management path is straightforward and includes consecutive promotions as Team Lead, Manager and Director before a successful UX researcher becomes Vice President.

A wish to specialise will take the UX Researcher from Staff Researcher to Principal survey Scientist, UX Business Researcher or Principal/Senior/Lead User Researcher.

The movement to related roles such as Head of UX, Chief Experience Officer or Vice President of Product is becoming increasingly common for UX Researchers who have advanced to the top research positions in an organisation.

It is also possible to become a Business Analyst or UX Consultant after gaining considerable expertise and experience in the field.

Candidates with expertise and experience in UX and strong communication and collaborative skills will have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active UX Researcher build personal skills and proficiency through online courses, independent research, self-directed learning and learning from experienced colleagues.

Beneficial online and offline courses include analysis frameworks, concept development, human-computer interaction, interaction design, product prototyping, project management, qualitative and quantitative user research methods and usability testing. 

Enhance your knowledge of UX methodologies and expertise in Adobe Creative Cloud, Sketch and Azure RP. You may also want to take courses in or self-learn technical skills such as HTML and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets). Pay special attention to relevant studies in psychology if you are keen to pursue usability testing.

You must stay abreast of the latest software and devices in this constantly evolving field. Conferences and meet-ups within the larger UX community allow you to increase your awareness about emerging trends in design practice and user experience and gain access to wholesome mentorship.

Employers often pay for training and attending conferences or hold technology hack days to encourage CPD in their employees.

UX Researchers can expect support and additional training from the academic institution or from Vitae, a non-profit global leader with over 50 years of experience in enhancing the skills of researchers.

In partnership with governments, funders of research, professional bodies, trusts & foundations, universities, and research institutes, Vitae offers training, resources, events, consultancy, and membership.

Essential Traits

High-performance UX Researchers have in common a valuable set of skills that help them gain the requisite insight into current and prospective users. They can lay claim to empathy, curiosity, data analysis as well as effective communication, analytical and design thinking, problem-solving and collaborative skills.

Intriguing Trivia

Common UX mistakes include a slow-loading website, non-intuitive navigation, poorly structured content and outdated design.

Only 1% of e-commerce websites meet the expectations of online shoppers in three seconds or less. 73% abandon their carts because of poor UX. Almost 90% do not bother to return to websites with bad UX. Improving customer experience can raise KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) by over 80%.

A well-designed UX can increase website conversion rates by up to 400%. With around 73% of people attesting that they can be persuaded to buy a service or product if they watch a related video, using videos on sites is one of the best UX strategies.

Over 20% of online shoppers will share a positive experience they had on a website with 10+ people. On the other hand, around 13% will tell 15 or more people about a negative interaction on a website.

Although 80% of internet users would gladly pay extra for a good website UX, only around 55% of companies get to know their target audience and conduct UX testing.

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Freelancing UX Researchers have more flexible work schedules and locations. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.

On the other hand, a full-time UX Researcher has company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

The ROI (return on investment) on UX investments is 9,900%, i.e. every $1 invested in UX design brings $100.

UX Researchers play a vital role in building a brand and positively impacting brand loyalty with their deep understanding of the user psyche and efficacious execution of user testing. The very fact that Jeff Bezos spent 100 times more on UX in Amazon’s first year than he did on advertising speaks volumes for UX!

Make sure you observe, understand and analyse the customer’s wants and needs, whether it is a face-to-face interview, online survey or usability test.