When I first started learning about UX/UI design, I had the impression that the most important things were having creative ideas and making beautiful interfaces. Spoiler: I was very wrong. Little by little, I began to see that the real magic of a successful project comes from a step we often overlook: research.
While research might seem like a mere formality or a boring step, the truth is that dedicating time to it can save you from future inconveniences. Think about it—what’s the point of designing an impressive app if no one understands it, or worse, no one needs it?
Research Will Be Your Best Ally
One of the first tools you learn when studying user experience is empathy. This skill involves putting yourself in someone else's shoes to see the world from their perspective. Not only does this help you create something functional, but it also allows you to solve real problems.
How can we be "problem solvers" if we don’t consider users’ needs? Being resourceful (a skill that seems to appear on every resume without exception) goes beyond presenting multiple solutions to a conflict; it also involves anticipating potential problems. Research will be your best friend when it comes to guiding your ideas and designs in the right direction.
How Can I Conduct Research If I’m Just Starting Out?
If you’re in a situation similar to mine, you might not have access to big budgets or advanced tools, but trust me, there are plenty of ways to do research without needing too many resources. Here are some simple steps that have worked for me:
Ask questions, lots of questions: Don’t be afraid to talk directly to real people who might be potential users of your project. I know it can be intimidating at first, but those conversations will provide the most important answers: what they need, what frustrates them, and what they expect.
Observe them in action: Pay close attention to how people around you use other digital products. Often, the issues are similar across projects.
Use the Internet: It might seem obvious, but sometimes we think we can only gather information by directly speaking to users, and that’s not the case. Blogs, forums, social media… people express their opinions, share their needs, and ask for solutions online. The information is there, waiting for you to discover it.
Don’t worry if you feel out of place at first; I’m still trying to get comfortable with this process myself. The key (as with everything in life) is to practice.
The Rewards of Research
Beyond improving your projects, research makes you a more empathetic and focused professional. You learn to justify your decisions, not because something “looks good,” but because it addresses a specific and real need. And that, in the UX/UI world, is invaluable.
Additionally, when job hunting, talking about your research processes in interviews can be a game-changer. If we want to be great designers, it’s not enough to have ideas and know how to execute them; we need to back up our decisions with prior research.
Designing with Purpose
In my opinion, dedicating time to research is an act of humility. It’s saying, “I don’t know everything, but I’m willing to learn.” Conducting research shows genuine interest in what people feel and desire.
What do you think? Do you also believe that research is key to success? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to learn from you! 💬
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