AI Assisted Research & Validation
I use AI to analyze large volumes of test data—like heatmaps, click paths, and preference test results—to quickly identify patterns in user behavior. It helps me spot usability issues, trends, or outliers much faster than I could through manual review.
The right time to ask is when you need validation and can iterate with intent.
...but who benefits from this?
Moderated and unmoderated usability testing are two distinct methods for evaluating user experience, each with unique strengths. Moderated testing is conducted in real time with a facilitator who can guide participants, ask follow-up questions, and observe both verbal and nonverbal cues—making it ideal for complex interfaces or early-stage prototypes. In contrast, unmoderated testing is done independently by participants, typically online, offering speed and scalability for quick feedback. However, it lacks real-time interaction, so its effectiveness relies heavily on clear, well-crafted tasks and instructions.
Moderated Usability Testing:
Moderated testing involves a facilitator (moderator) who guides participants through tasks in real time. This can be done either in person or remotely via video conferencing. The moderator can ask follow-up questions, clarify instructions, and observe non-verbal cues.
Advantages:
- Real-time interaction allows deeper insights.
- Clarifies confusion and uncovers hidden usability issues.
- Ideal for complex tasks or early prototypes needing explanation.
Disadvantages:
- More time-consuming and costly to schedule and conduct.
- Requires skilled moderators to avoid biasing participants.
Best For:
- In-depth exploration of user behavior.
- Testing early-stage designs or prototypes.
- Research with a smaller, more targeted group.
Unmoderated Usability Testing:
Unmoderated testing is conducted without a facilitator. Participants complete tasks on their own time using a remote testing platform that records their screen, clicks, and sometimes facial expressions or voice commentary.
Advantages:
- Scalable and cost-effective.
- Fast turnaround with access to diverse participants.
- Convenient for participants (can complete at their own pace).
Disadvantages:
- Limited opportunity to probe deeper into issues.
- Participants may misinterpret tasks or abandon sessions.
- Less control over the testing environment.
Best For:
- Validating design decisions at scale.
- Quick feedback on specific interactions.
- Later-stage testing with refined interfaces.
The User Experience Researcher
By adopting prototyping techniques, the UX Researcher creates and builds against test plans and has accurate measurements for analysis and success. By understanding usability and the user needs and desires, the prototype can bring these solutions to life. This practice helps connect the customer to the brand and experience in ways that are measurable by identifying and tracking against KPIs.
The UX Researcher analyzes results and creates user generated enhancements before investment of engineering. This helps us to understand the business, product, environment and end users needs and uncovers insights previously unnoticed or thought of.
The User Experience Designer
The UX Designer benefits from prototyping by allowing for a clear visual and communication hierarchy to reduce cognitive load time. The prototype helps govern user experiences by providing focus and interactive design balance.
Prototypes help us by creating contextual and environmental design choices with adherence to indigenous UI and HIG while adding appropriate unique patterns. Prototypes also allow for experimentation and discovery to generate provocative solutions and face the truth (this idea just doesn't work as planned... but it will)
The Product and Engineering Teams
By adopting prototyping, our development partners have enough information to perform (with certainty) and can easy craft initial technical architecture and provide expertise into the product. This lends itself well to agile methodologies and encourages byte size pieces to be addressed with a level of confidence the whole system will perform as designed.
The User (Core Customer)
Understanding our users reaction to a given system is imperative to success. Real users along with our research teams can test and analyze a concept mitigating uncertainty and generating clarity and vision.
Rapid Prototyping Sizes
A prototype is a crucial step increating a user-friendly product by allowing designers to test,iterate, and validate their ideas are suitable for user and business needs beforeinvesting in agile development.
Designers can streamline the product development process by leveraging these diverse prototype types for effective iteration and refinement
Hand drawn sketch
(low fidelity – no interaction)
- Quick, fast, and easy to create.
- Focus on core concepts and basic layout.
- Used for initial brainstorming and early-stage validation.
Wireframes
(low fidelity – low interaction)
- More detailed than sketches, focusing on structure and information architecture.
- Clarifies layout, hierarchy, and content placement.
Visual Design Comps
(high fidelity – low interaction)
Close to final visual design.
May include realistic content and images.
Interactive Prototype
(high fidelity – high interaction)
- Highly realistic and immersive, simulating the user experience.
Allows for thorough usability testing and validation.
Simulated interactions and animations.
Scuba Dive Videos
I pretty much live in the water. As a Marine Mammal and Shark diver at the Shedd Aquarium, I am lucky enough to be on the dive team for aquarium conservation. As a certified Dive Master and Tec. Diver I spend my time exploring the majestic shipwrecks of The Great Lakes. Please see some video footage of these haunting wrecks.