Company
Date Published
Author
Kuan Luo
Word count
858
Language
English
Hacker News points
None

Summary

The article reflects on the importance of research in the design process, emphasizing that effective design requires a deep understanding of the world to identify problems worth solving. Drawing from personal experiences, the author recounts two attempts at conducting a study to understand developers' experiences with database solutions. The first study, which lacked focus and produced scattered data, prompted a reevaluation of the research approach. In contrast, the second study was more successful due to strategic planning, stakeholder involvement, and a more targeted participant pool. Key adjustments, such as focusing on non-decision-making developers and optimizing the interview process, resulted in clearer, actionable insights. The author concludes that research is essential for creating meaningful and desirable products, aligning with Jon Freach's perspective on design.