Plan a Small User Interview for a Design Project

Define what you need to learn

Write a research question about a behaviour, such as how students compare training options. Identify who has relevant experience and invite them to take part voluntarily. Explain the purpose of the conversation and how notes will be used. Collect only the personal information the project actually needs.

Ask about real experiences

Invite the participant to describe the last time they performed the task. Ask what happened, what information they needed, and what was difficult. Avoid leading questions that praise your proposed solution. Follow up on concrete examples rather than treating a prediction about future behaviour as a confirmed fact.

Separate observations from interpretation

Write down what the person said or did, then record your interpretation separately. If you want to record audio, obtain permission first. Remove identifying details from shared notes. A memorable quotation can be useful, but it should not replace the broader context of the conversation.

Turn findings into questions

Group recurring issues and identify where evidence is still thin. A few interviews can suggest directions to investigate; they do not prove that every user has the same needs. Use the findings to revise a task flow or prototype, and state the limits of your sample in the case study.