Prerequisite(s): UXUI 1376. 

Technical requirements: Figma. If using your own laptop or desktop computer it must meet the minimum requirements as directed by Figma. Chromebooks, iPads, or other tablets are not sufficient to run the full version of this application.  Internet access, a device with a working microphone and camera

Class Format and Schedule

This course is taught virtually by a professor once a week for 16 weeks. You will be required to attend virtually each Monday from 3:00pm - 5:40pm, January 26 - May 11, 2026. You must be live, on-camera and participating in the class to be counted as present.

* All courses offered in the Visual Communication department are workforce courses, and may have some transfer restrictions to other colleges. Students interested in transferring courses to another college should speak with our departmental advisors, Taylor Green or Jennifer Jones, or their Area of Study advisor.

COURSE RATIONALE / OBJECTIVES 

In this course, we'll be diving deep into the skill set of user research. The course will consist of two, multi-phase research projects. Research takes time. Students will plan, conduct, analyze, and present user-centered research.

REQUIRED TEXTS & MATERIALS  

Textbook

• Just Enough Research, 2nd Edition, by Erika Hall: ISBN: 9781937557881

Online Resources

• All online resources will be shared via Blackboard
• Adobe Creative Cloud: (not required but available to you as a design student at ACC for $10/semester) You can begin your account ID process here.
   

Tools

• Miro app will be used (info in Blackboard)
• Sketchbook (any kind will do, I recommend a “dot grid” sketchbook though!
• A computer with a camera and microphone

Textbook

• Just Enough Research, 2nd Edition, by Erika Hall: ISBN: 9781937557881

COURSE OUTLINE / CALENDAR 

**Calendar subject to change. Your professor will update you via Blackboard of any changes or special circumstances. Please refer to Blackboard for more details and information.

Competency 1

Discussion 1: Intro to UX Research and Methodologies

Project #1 - What is Research Design?

Discussion 2: Biases in Research

Competency 2

Discussion 3: Rewrite interview questions

Project #2 - Design and Conduct User Interview 

Retro #1 - First user interview

Discussion 4: Group Retro on Interviews

Project #3 - Generative Research Project

Discussion 5: Write interview script + Plan Interview

Competency 3

Retro #2 - First explanatory interview reflection

Discussion 6: Coding + Analysis

Discussion 7: Insights + Mindsets

Retro #3 - Finding Insights

Competency 4

Discussion 8: Presenting 

Retro #4 - Presenting research insights and recommendations

Competency 5

Project #4 - Usability test type research

Discussion 9: Group retro on first usability test

Discussion 10: Analyzing evaluative data

Project #5 - Evaluative Research project

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES 

What you’ll learn to do by the end of this course

• Surveyed the various types of user research to inform digital product and service design
• Analyzed potential for bias in design of research plan and analysis of research data
• Practiced a process for designing, conducting, and identifying outcomes of a design research project
• Practiced research presentation skills such as displaying data, prioritizing findings, and tying outcomes to design recommendations.

What you’ll learn to do by the end of the program

• Articulate the importance of user research 
• Build and Execute a generative research plan
• Present research data, findings, and recommendations
• Validate Prototype with a Evaluative research method