User Research
User research is the heart of our project’s success – we wanted to better understand our target audience’s needs and challenges so that we could shape our solution. We set out to learn about users of UW makerspaces to hear their experiences, troubles, and goals with the spaces.
Understanding our users
Our team set up interviews with four makers, current users of UW makerspaces. The interview questions were intended to be open-ended and focused on three particular experiences:
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Personal experience as a maker
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Makerspace experience
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Social/collaboration experience
After our interviews, we compiled a list of common trouble points for UW makers:
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Makers often wait for long periods of time to use certain equipment or materials.
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It’s hard to find staff members for help on projects or equipment issues.
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Makers initially don’t know where to start when trying to learn new equipment, tools, or techniques.
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Makers are unaware of events occurring in the space.
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Makers want to meet other makers in the space more easily.
Our findings form the foundation for our project. With clear problems and users to design for, we took what we learned from interviews and created a set of personas.