Synthesis Research

We create a fully customized step-by-step plan to align your product strategy, business priorities, and organizational structure with the users and processes you want to support - now that's a good plan!

We start by taking all that data you have collected about your users, markets, and brand - delve into the processes those users conduct, and then combine, analyze, and characterize all of that distilled knowledge into one coherent big-picture.

We then apply all that learning to your website by organizing and structuring content and features, defining gaps, and designing key interaction flows that correspond to the fresh perspective.

Methods include:

• Advanced Behavioral Modeling
• Full Process Mapping
• Mental Model Diagramming
• Market/Use Case Linkage Diagramming
• Emotion/Brand/Behavior Modeling
• Website Organization Mapping

Synthesis Research

User Research

Understanding your users (and potential users) is at the heart of good business and product decisions. We turn a solid working knowledge of how your users live, use products, make choices, and perceive the world into products that succeed because they are based on reality - not opinion (sure, we have opinions but "real" has a nice ring to it).

We help you "walk a mile" in your users' shoes. Whether observing "a day in the life," analyzing diary report patterns, or building personas we deliver the users story, in their voice, to your board room, website, and products.

Methods include:

• One-on-one Interviews
• Personas
• Ethnographic and Field Observation
• Product Surveys
• Diary Studies

User Research

Market Research

To identify people's underlying wants, needs, and beliefs we have found it pays to be a little sneaky in order to discover what our fellow human beings actually do, not just what they say they do.

Typically market research is all about the numbers - characterizing trends and defining segment demographics. We like to dig a little deeper to discover the "why" behind the numbers - and, believe it or not, we don't stop there - we will even find the numbers behind the "why" - we know, it's like we're obsessed!

Methods include:

• Market Segmentation and Structure Studies
• Attitude and Usage Studies
• Customer Satisfaction Surveys
• Focus Groups
• Cross Cultural Analysis

Market Research

Design Research

We love hearing users exclaim "that is exactly how I thought it should work" - we honestly never get tired of it! Translating the user's story into the right product design can be one of the most challenging (and rewarding) tasks a company faces.

Our design research methods result in simplified content organization, effective site structure and page layout, and intuitive interaction that delight users instead of frustrating them.

Methods include:

• Participatory Design and Prototyping
• Information Architecture Development
• User Model Research
• Usability Testing
• Iterative Design, Rapid Wire-Framing
• Expert Heuristic Evaluation
• Design Walkthroughs

Design Research

Brand Research

Simply put, clear brand positioning translates into customer adoption. We help you create approachable meaningful brand messaging that speaks to your audience in the language they use.

We start by understanding key drivers of customer satisfaction, uncovering ideal language, and exposing pain points within your specific product space. We then focus on the means and methods your customers (and prospective customers) use during their selection process. The result is a winning positioning message and value promise in a customer appealing voice.

Methods include:

• Corporate Image Studies
• Brand and Advertising Tracking
• Content Voice Guide
• Name and Logo Testing
• Website Design/Evaluation

Brand Research