Students plan and conduct interviews to gain insight into users’ needs, experiences, and viewpoints.
The method trains students to empathize with others and provides them with a deeper understanding of the target group.
The students define what they want to gain insight into through the interview.
They come up with as many questions as possible and categorize them. They select the most relevant questions and create an interview guide using the Interview Guide worksheet.
The students identify users who can provide relevant perspectives. They select one or more users to contact and arrange interviews with.
The students choose a suitable setting for the interview, such as a quiet room where participants can speak freely without interruptions. They decide how to document the responses—whether by taking notes, recording audio, or video. The students also assign roles among themselves.
They conduct the interview using their Interview Guide, asking both prepared and follow-up questions to encourage the interviewee to elaborate on their answers. The students take notes on key points, important details, or quotes and/or record the interview (with the interviewee’s permission).
The students finish the interview and thank the interviewee for participating.
Practice interview techniques with the students before their user interviews, so they gain experience in asking open and neutral questions that are not leading.
Students can do a rehearsal of their interview as a role-play, where one person in the group acts as the user. This allows them to practice asking follow-up questions that they haven’t prepared in advance. If they cannot find a real user, the role-play can serve as a substitute.
User interviews can be combined with the Silent Brainstorming method to help ensure that everyone contributes ideas for interview questions.
User interviews can also be combined with the Pattern Grouping method, which supports students in organizing their ideas for interview questions.
This method is used, among others, in activity XXX
| Investigate |
Paper
Writing tools (pens, pencils, etc.)
Optional: audio or video recorder
Optional: computer or device for taking notes