Summary
Over the past 25 years, Steve Portigal has seen tremendous growth in user research as a community of practice, as an industry, and as a career. Steve will look at some of the changes that he’s experienced and observed—positive, negative, or otherwise. He’ll share some of the potentially overlooked opportunities to advance our field, issues that demand our limited attention and concern. He’ll also share his perspective on the directions we can drive towards.
Key Insights
-
•
The history of user research helps inform current practices and future directions.
-
•
User research has evolved significantly over the last 10 years, but the core principles remain vital.
-
•
Historical milestones, like IDEA's shopping cart project, marked significant shifts in perception and practice of user research.
-
•
Witnessing trends such as the shift from consultancy to in-house user research roles demonstrates changing needs in organizations.
-
•
The emergence of terms like PWDR (people who do research) highlights evolving roles within the research community.
-
•
Technology, especially AI, is reshaping user research processes and may impact job markets.
-
•
Maintaining quality in research amidst an increasing acceptance of 'good enough' standards is a concern.
-
•
Community and collaboration are essential for navigating the complexities of user research today.
-
•
The future of user research may involve more public and democratized access to insights.
-
•
Understanding the impact of corporate culture on research practices is critical for researchers today.
Notable Quotes
"The past doesn't repeat itself, it rhymes."
"To understand the present, we have to understand how we got here."
"We all stand on the shoulders of giants."
"If we can carry any of the stories from the past forward into the future, that can only serve us well."
"It's a complex system, and there are factors that complicate our understanding of who does research."
"Research can identify underserved communities or advocate for change."
"We are the ones who can highlight inequity and inform better practices."
"The future of user research is not just about profit and growth; it's about making a better world."
"The future is a collective endeavor, and good things happen in community."
"Just because we face uncertainty doesn't mean we should despair; curiosity is also on the table."
More Videos
"You are not just trusting an LLM; they are not databases, they mess up in ways databases never would."
Noz UrbinaRapid AI-powered UX (RAUX): A framework for empowering human designers
May 1, 2025
"This is a lesson in a different kind of improvisation than what I usually do."
Jim KalbachJazz Improvisation as a Model for Team Collaboration
June 4, 2019
"I want to talk to you about are you really doing user-centered teamwork when you're thinking about growing a team."
Holly ColeUnderstanding Experiences: When you have to do more than work
November 8, 2018
"You will receive an email or follow-up survey, but you will have the option to sign up for a workshop."
Jack BeharHow to Build Prototypes that Behave like an End-Product
December 6, 2022
"You don't want to miss out on one of the really cool parts about the conference, which is going home with a bunch of cool swag."
Bria AlexanderOpening Remarks
October 3, 2023
"Data management is crucial; AI doesn't function well when organization and data are siloed."
Erika FlowersAI-Readiness: Preparing NASA for a Data-Driven, Agile Future
June 10, 2025
"Equipped with the right tools, we can truly meet students where they are."
Kristin SkinnerFive Years of DesignOps
September 29, 2021
"The soloist has to begin at the start of the form and end at the end of that form."
Jim KalbachJazz Improvisation as a Model for Team Collaboration
November 6, 2017
"Diverse teams lead to better outcomes by forming teams of different experiences."
Surya VankaUnleashing Swarm Creativity to Solve Enterprise Challenges
June 10, 2021
