Summary
Designers are not just interested in research; they're the driving force in today's research landscape. In this workshop, Hannah Hudson, Director of Design and Research at Twilio, and Prayag Narula, CEO & Co-Founder of Marvin, will discuss how good design is a competitive advantage and can impact the customer experience when research is done often and well by everyone on the team. Learn how design teams can use the tools and methodologies of trained researchers so the whole company can get the maximum impact from the investment in design.
Key Insights
-
•
Empathy is the foundation of effective UX design, enabling creators to anticipate true user needs.
-
•
Qualitative research methods like interviews reveal user pain points often missed by analytics.
-
•
Iterative user testing allows teams to refine features pragmatically, preventing overcomplication.
-
•
Balancing quantitative data with qualitative insights leads to better product decisions.
-
•
Understanding the psychological triggers of users can boost engagement and retention.
-
•
Feature bloat often results from ignoring core user motivations and desires.
-
•
Cross-functional collaboration between UX research and product management strengthens outcomes.
-
•
Designing for emotional impact can make products more memorable and satisfying.
-
•
Users often cannot articulate latent needs, requiring skilled observation to uncover.
-
•
Embedding psychology in product strategy helps align development with user behavior patterns.
Notable Quotes
"Empathy isn't just kindness, it's the lens through which we see users' true motivations."
"Data tells you what happens; qualitative research tells you why it happens."
"If you skip iterative testing, you risk building features nobody really wants."
"The best products come from marrying analytics with human stories."
"Most users don't know what they want until you show it to them."
"Feature bloat kills usability because it clouds the core value proposition."
"When UX researchers and product managers collaborate, the product speaks to users’ hearts."
"Design for emotion to create experiences that resonate beyond functionality."
"Observation reveals needs users themselves haven’t recognized yet."
"Integrating psychology into product strategy isn't optional; it's essential for success."
Or choose a question:
More Videos
"We have over 140,000 IBMers who’ve completed design thinking online training."
Doug PowellClosing Keynote: Design at Scale
November 8, 2018
"Sometimes with kids, you just have to get artifactual data or creative outputs because they can’t always articulate."
Mila Kuznetsova Lucy DentonHow Lessons Learned from Our Youngest Users Can Help Us Evolve our Practices
March 9, 2022
"In Toronto it’s now illegal to transmit a Wi-Fi signal in designated public spaces, with penalties for violations—a policy driven by people wanting to unplug from digital life."
Sarah GallimoreInspire Progress with Artifacts from the Future
November 18, 2022
"Simply asking stakeholders what success looks like for them in a project is a powerful way to start meaningful conversations."
Lada Gorlenko Sharbani Dhar Sébastien Malo Rob Mitzel Ivana Ng Michal Anne RogondinoTheme 1: Discussion
January 8, 2024
"It is our job to lead and transform with empathy and heart because there’s fear in everyone."
Alnie FigueroaThe Future of Design Operations: Transforming Our Craft
September 10, 2025
"You shouldn’t send another survey unless you’ve implemented changes and allowed time for behavior to adapt."
Landon BarnesAre My Research Findings Actually Meaningful?
March 10, 2022
"I felt like a journalist pretending to be a designer."
Emily EagleCan't Rewind: Radio and Retail
June 3, 2019
"No two re-platforming journeys are exactly the same, and there isn't one single formula that works every time."
Malini RaoLessons Learned from a 4-year Product Re-platforming Journey
June 9, 2021
"Building rapport and rituals helped our remote team foster camaraderie and trust."
Asia HoePartnering with Product: A Journey from Junior to Senior Design
November 29, 2023