{"id":225,"date":"2025-12-17T08:00:37","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T08:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kirstenalice.uk\/journal\/?p=225"},"modified":"2026-02-25T11:16:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T11:16:57","slug":"user-experience-research-and-design-for-my-project","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kirstenalice.uk\/journal\/user-experience-research-and-design-for-my-project\/","title":{"rendered":"User Experience Research and Design for my project"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With the start of any project, research should be at the forefront of the process to ensure that the end product is user-centred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the past few weeks, I have attended workshops by Steph Troeth and Chris How. These introduced me to user experience research and user-centred design, including how essential they are in the design and development process of any web project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article outlines how I plan to use UX research techniques to enhance the functionality and success of my small business website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, What is UX Research?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

User Experience research is all about understanding the person on the other side of the screen. The person actually using <\/em>your product, whatever that may be!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I cannot create a successful product without understanding the needs of my target audience. In 2018, a study claimed that ”17% of IT start-ups fail due to a lack of implementation of user-centred design.” (Viebrock, 2018)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This type of research includes an array of techniques, which should be used throughout the design and development process – keeping the user at the centre of the design process at all times. UX research helps to analyse the users’ needs and behaviors, ensuring a more seamless experience on the completed product. (Hudziy, 2025)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My Project<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The project I am currently working on, which I will apply my new understanding of user experience to, is my small business website. I have been tasked with creating a website for ‘Black Crag’ – an in-person store selling all you need to enjoy the great outdoors, with a specific goal of encouraging people to return to the high street and visit the store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Source: Adobe Stock<\/a><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

My research aims to gain a clear understanding of who <\/em>will use my website and how <\/em>I can encourage them to visit the in-person store. A website can make or break a business today, so it is vital to apply UXD techniques effectively. One research article notes that ‘retailers need online\/offline integration to better serve their clients’, and ‘90% of UK consumers first orient themselves online before buying the product in a physical shop’. (Moes, 2017)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Preperation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Preparation for research is possibly the most important part; it ensures that any research taking place is relevant. Before I dive into user personas and how-might-we statements, i need to establish a few things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

–Who <\/strong>is my target audience?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

–What <\/strong>are my clients’ goals?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

–How <\/strong>will my site be used?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

My Target Audience<\/h4>\n\n\n\n