What is UX Research?

UX or User Experience is everything that happens to your users when they interact with your service in any way (physically or remotely). It includes everything they see, everything they hear, everything they do, as well as their emotional reactions. UX research is about supplementing traditional user research methods such as surveys and focus groups with approaches that record and examine actual user behaviour in libraries, with a view to delivering more relevant and valuable spaces and services.

The aims of these UX research days are as follows:

•         to explain and ensure understanding of key UX techniques
•         to explore the application of UX techniques in both physical and digital library environments
•         to share examples of UX research success and failure around the world
•         to detail best practice techniques for mapping, sorting and analysing UX research data
•         to examine how UX data can be translated into ideas for new products and services

REGISTRATION: http://www.las.org.sg/eforms/view.php?id=21947  

For group registration, please download the template from the registration page.

DATES	COST*
Run 1 Date: 20 & 21 November 2017 Time: 9.00 am – 5.0 pm Venue: Tampines Regional Library Run 2 Date: 22 & 23 November 2017 Time: 9.00 am – 5.0 pm Venue: Bishan Public Library Participants can choose to register for only 1 day.	LAS Member: Day 1 only: $250 Day 2 only: $150 Full course: $360 (10% discount) Non-LAS member: Day 1 only: $300 Day 2 only: $180 Full course: $480 * For cancellations on or after 17th November, no refund will be given.

 

Day 1 content

A day of practical learning in which UX and ethnography are defined, a variety of UX techniques are described and tested, and idea generation and prototyping are explored.

• What is User Experience?: Defining user experience and ethnography (the writing down of the culture of a user community) and exploring the value of attitudinal and behavioural user research methods with practical examples of application in libraries
• User Experience Research Techniques: The most valuable UX methods are detailed and attendees try many of them out for themselves: observation; behavioural mapping; user research interviews; cognitive mapping; user journey mapping; usability testing; card sorting; love- and break-up letters
• Idea Generation and Prototyping: Using idea generation techniques and a divergent thinking approach to turn research data into ideas for new products and services. The importance and value of iterative prototyping and minimum viable products are also explored.

Day 2 content

Building on the practical learning of Day 1 with direct application of the techniques on real library users in both workshop and ad hoc scenarios:

• Additional UX techniques: The techniques learned on day 1 are supplemented with some new approaches: touchstone tours, guerilla interviews, card sorting SWOT
• Collaborative design workshop: A subset of attendees assist me in leading a 1-hour co-design workshop with invited users (incentives required to secure 10-15 students) while remaining attendees conduct ad hoc fieldwork inside and outside of the library
• Ad hoc fieldwork: Everyone conducts ad hoc fieldwork, carefully recording user behaviour, comments and ideas (usability testing, guerilla interviews, observation, behavioural mapping, touchstone tours)
• Data Collation and Mapping: Sorting and affinity mapping of data gathered during the  fieldwork
• Idea Generation: Ideas for services, products and further research are derived from the data gathered
• Next Steps: Exploration and discussion of how UX can be taken forward by library staff post-training
• Learning Summary: Attendees share what they have learned over the 2 days

Course style

Highly practical, engaging and interactive. Attendees will:

•         be encouraged to ask questions and debate the content throughout
•         explore and learn techniques through a range of individual and team exercises
•         learn more about their colleagues (and different perspectives) as they complete training tasks
•         enjoy a level playing field as exercises are suited to both introverts and extroverts
•         explore and discuss how users really perceive and use libraries

REGISTRATION: http://www.las.org.sg/eforms/view.php?id=21947

About Andy Priestner:

Formerly a librarian, in public libraries and both Cambridge and Oxford University, Andy is now a full-time freelance trainer and consultant in user experience (UX) research methods, leadership and teambuilding who regularly works all over the world. As well as teaching UX courses he works directly with library staff and their users in both the academic and public sectors in order to identify opportunities for new and improved user-centred products and services. He originated the international UX in Libraries conference, which had its third conference in Glasgow in June, and together with Matt Borg edited the UX in Libraries book for Routledge. From 2015-17 Andy led the Futurelib innovation programme at the University of Cambridge which conducted UX research and design thinking across its 100 plus libraries.

Testimonials

• ‘Our Library and Facilities team at the University of South Australia thoroughly enjoyed learning about various UX research techniques and fieldwork with Andy. Andy had us captivated with his knowledge, real-world experience and wonderfully engaging style. And with Andy’s coaching we got to do real-life fieldwork with users which was an invaluable way to learn together.’ Robert Lustri, Capital Projects Director at University of South Australia, Adelaide.

• ‘Where did you find Andy? What a find! His UX course was everything I hoped it would be and more. I can’t wait to apply the techniques we have learned.’ Staff member, NLA Canberra

• ‘I was expecting a lot as I’d already heard about Andy and the course beforehand but it absolutely exceeded my expectations.’ Vernon Fowler, Deakin University, Melbourne

• ‘Andy helped frame and package UX in the library context and the course was extremely well presented and organized.’ Staff member, Melbourne UX day

• ‘I enjoyed every minute of this course – a winning formula!’ Staff member, UNSW Sydney

• ‘To be honest I was bit nervous about the course, especially as I had no concept of UX techniques before it, but it was both inspiring and fun and I now feel equipped to use UX in my work.’ Staff member, Macquarie University