Empowering designers and the role of democratizing research

In the fast-paced world of product development, the quest for user-centric design has become paramount. Teams are on a mission to craft products that truly click with their audience, and that’s where the “democratization of research” comes into play. This idea is all about giving more team members, such as designers, access to research tools and methods, not just the folks who specialize in research.

On the bright side, spreading the research love around means everyone gets a slice of the insight pie. Designers get to dive deep into user habits and preferences, making our design decisions much smarter. But, you know how it goes — every rose has its thorn.

Sometimes, when designers put on their Sherlock hats, they might miss out on the tried-and-true methods and tricks of the research trade. Without a bit of training and some wise guidance, the research quality could take a nosedive, leaving us scratching our heads over some wonky results. Plus, let’s not forget the time and effort it takes to get designers up to speed — the struggle can be real.

But hey, despite these bumps in the road, we’ve seen some real magic happen by letting designers loose on usability tests and light generative work. By arming them with the right tools and know-how, we’re tapping into a goldmine of user insights. Not only does this free up our research pros to tackle strategic research, but also fosters a culture of collaboration and shared ownership of the research process.

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