UX Research is Dead. Long Live UX Research!

We’ve been doing some foresight analysis for UX inside Singular XQ. We are really excited about the possibilities for tomorrow. Please note definitions of Web 3.0 are contested. See our Coda. :) Love me a good Coda. you know those things that make you return to the top and rethink your initial response? Yeah. It’s all music. All of it.

JP

The Future of UX Research: Leading the Charge into Web 3.0

User Experience (UX) Research has always been the vanguard of design innovation, a discipline characterized by its foresight and ability to anticipate user needs before they become apparent. As we stand on the precipice of the Web 3.0 revolution, it’s time to unleash the full potential of seasoned UX researchers, allowing them to focus on the deep ethnographic insights that will shape the future of technology.

The Evolutionary Role of UX Research

UX Research has never been about maintaining the status quo. From the transition between Web 1.0 to 2.0 and now to 3.0, UX researchers have been the pathfinders, charting unknown territories with a blend of scientific rigor and creative foresight.

The Need for Deep Ethnographic Insight:

• Predicting the Unpredictable: Deep ethnographic research goes beyond surface interactions, delving into the “why” behind user behaviors, which is crucial for anticipating the needs of an AI-driven Web 3.0.
• Foresight-Driven Design: Seasoned UX researchers are adept at foresight-driven design, a skill that is increasingly necessary to navigate the complexities of emerging technologies.

Freeing Seasoned Researchers for Web 3.0

The time has come to recalibrate the focus of our most experienced UX professionals. They must be liberated from the constraints of traditional Web 2.0 research tasks to pioneer the user experiences of tomorrow.

The Argument for Specialization:

• Strategic Allocation: By deploying junior researchers and analysts to handle the well-understood domain of enterprise Web 2.0 software, we can free up senior talent for more complex and future-oriented challenges.
• Breaking the Ceiling: There has been a ceiling on UX advancement, with senior researchers often confined to iterative design research. It’s time to break through this barrier, allowing them to lead strategic foresight in technology.

Democratizing Design Research in Web 2.0

The democratization of design research is not just a possibility but a necessity. With abundant guidance available and patterns well-established, lower-level design research can be effectively managed by less experienced practitioners.

The Case for Democratization:

• Accessibility of Resources: The wealth of resources and best practices available for Web 2.0 design makes it an ideal training ground for the next generation of UX researchers.
• Empowering the Next Wave: By entrusting routine research to junior staff, we cultivate their skills while freeing veterans to focus on innovation.

The Stakes for Web 3.0

With the advent of Web 3.0, the stakes are higher than ever. The integration of blockchain, AI, and IoT presents new challenges and opportunities for human-computer interaction.

Why Experience Matters:

• De-risking the Future: Senior UX researchers are uniquely positioned to de-risk the human experience aspects of new technologies.
• Leading Technological Change: These veterans must be out ahead, not just of the Scrum but of technological change, ensuring that as the web evolves, the human element remains at its core.

Conclusion

As we embrace the new era of the internet, it’s imperative that we recognize the value of foresight and deep research that seasoned UX researchers bring to the table. It’s time to shift our strategy, positioning these experts where they can make the most impact: at the forefront of technological change, guiding us into the uncharted waters of Web 3.0. The future of UX research is not just about keeping pace; it’s about setting the pace for innovation and human-centric design.

Coda

Our definition of Web 3.0 is this:

Web 3.0 is the convergence of multiple emergent technology streams into a transformed cultural, social, and industrial experience. Of these vectors we consider these most important but also include the developments of Industry 4.0. We include Quantum in our imaginings but realize this may be another transformation entirely. :) Fun to be a thinker and builder in this accelerating time of change. Want to think with us? Reach out on our socials or on linked in. Singular XQ. Curious people who care, change the world.

1. Semantic Web

2. Artificial Intelligence

3. Decentralization

4. Ubiquitous Connectivity

5. 3D Graphics

6. Interoperability

7. Trustless and Permissionless

8. Smart Contracts and DApps