Pesquisa em experiência do usuário e processo de projeto: uma exploração do mercado de tecnologia da informação

Abstract

Creating memorable experiences has become a major discussion in design. The computational technologies massification into several different usage contexts has made information technology (IT) companies search for better ways to understand its users and consumers. In this context user experience (UX) research plays a pivotal role in achieving products and services objectives. This study aims to understand which practices, methods, and tools UX practitioners located in the state of California, USA, have been using to better evaluate and measure their products user experience. UX practitioners working for IT companies were interviewed to understand the practices they use to develop their products, trying to identify the contexts and specifics of these practices, and not just when they are applied. This understanding was based on a few items: a comparison of the practices offered by Garret (2002) and Maguire (2001); identifying how the results of these practices are applied in the design process; if they were conducted internally or externally; and what is the position of the designers about its applications. This study reveals a variety of approaches and perspectives around UX-related research, several of which inspired by areas outside design. Therefore, an extensive review of existing literature took place in the UX, user-centered design, product centered design and interaction design fields, aiming to collect theoretical resources to guide and substantiate this research. The studied revealed a variety of approaches and perspectives about how to conduct UX-related research. It was possible to verify as well an attempt of UX professionals to follow a more lean UX process, applying researches more frequently but with fewer concerns around the screening of candidates and more accurate demographics, which brings severe concerns around this approach. It also argues that a better understanding of UX is necessary, and suggests new areas of studies that can contribute to user-centered-research discussions and its applications to the design process.