This class is for designers who want to improve their design skills by better understanding and meeting the goals of their users. I work on the Product team at Disqus, where I design and test interfaces that are seen by almost a billion people each month.

And I've been in your shoes. 

I know what it's like to begin a new project, or improve an old one. A blank Photoshop canvas can be an intimidating starting point. When it comes to design, the sky is the limit. How do you narrow your focus to the right features, interactions, and visuals for your users?

Usability research provides an incredibly useful method for knowing your users, so that you can design to better meet their goals.

The class will include practical, step-by-step instructions on how to get your first study up and running. The class will also include plenty of examples from my own experience at Disqus, and some tips and tricks I've learned along the way.

Please note, $20 is only an introductory price. Future classes will be priced at $40.

WHO THIS CLASS IS FOR

While I'll be speaking from the perspective of a designer, this course is for anyone responsible in one way or another for the delivery of a great user experience. That can include:

• Designers working to create ways of interacting with a product.
• Product managers looking for a way to prioritize projects in a product development lifecycle.
• Developers who want to better understand how the products they create are understood by users.
• Marketers who want to know which parts of a product are most important to users.
• Anyone else who's interested in learning more about their users, or potential users, and how to build a product that will meet those user's goals.

THIS CLASS WILL COVER

Usability research 101:

I'll talk about the benefits of usability research for you, your users, and how it fits in with other types of research. I'll also discuss how to identify which interfaces to test, how to set the scope for your research study, and where usability research fits into the product lifecycle.

Recruiting:

I'll walk you through some of the most common recruiting methods, and how to make sure you're bringing in the right participants.

Running your first session:

This is the fun part! I'll walk you through the process of writing your script, and how to moderate your sessions.

Parsing the results:

We'll discuss how to make sense of what you've ovserved, and how to turn those observations into meaningful design improvements.

AWARD!

The top 3 projects will be featured. The first-place project will earn an hour of 1-on-1 consulting with me, where we can discuss your project in detail, and I can advice on how to take your research practice to the next level, or any other design-related topics.

If more than 200 students enroll, the top 3 entries will also receive $50 Amazon gift cards!

THIS CLASS IS PROJECT-BASED

By the end of this class you'll run your own 1-on-1 usability study. In the class' Project Gallery you'll share results. Complete projects will include:

• The interface tested (please include screenshots if possible).

• A description of your product, what you know about your users, and why you've chosen to test this interface.

• The script you used to run your session.

• Conclusions you drew from the study. What did you learn about your users and your interface? If possible, please include photos or screenshots of your affinity diagram.

• Extra credit: a redesigned version of the interface based on the feedback you gathered.