Mixed method approach 

Often in early stage research (which is the case in Innovation projects), design research deals with understanding what is valuable for our prospective users, and testing if value is being delivered from our designs in an effective, usable, and delightful way.

Taking an iterative approach is key. A mixed method approach works very well for both discovery and validation purposes. I used this approach with the aim of accelerating innovation-stage research.

1. Method to derive actionable insights for design iterations:
To test hypotheses related to a design's intended experience, I used 'living lab' tests. Highlights of an experiment setup:

A longitudinal study to design experiences that evolve over time (~ 1 month): 
I co-designed this research and UI designs to:

- Test effectiveness of design (validation), and learn how to improve them
- Find patterns in user's behavior with data visualization, to probe targeted questions
- Build quick prototypes to test design iterations 

2. Method to test value proposition with online campaigns:


Inspired by Lean Startup methods, Using qualitative research and low-fi prototype testing, we discovered new opportunity and derived key hypotheses on what could be the value proposition for our target customers:

- Used business model canvas to prioritize assumptions to challenge
- With online campaigns (landing pages), tested our hypotheses
- Accompanied the campaigns with surveys to understand why a proposition resonates to derive feature directions

Analytic tools

Making sense of user/customer data, from analyses to actions.

For structured and more consistent approach to do UX research, I started exploring custom analytic tools for in-house use. This is to analyse large amounts of different types of data in a way that helps us take actions, and build-upon knowledge.

Contribution for building data analytics tool:
- Kept an overview of the tool development process, and coordinated efforts
- Contributed to requirements building, transfer to development team, testing
- Data visualization to enable fast analyses and communication


A big challenge is to bring these two tools together.

Storytelling for invention

To ideate and develop concepts for novel solutions (for utility patents), we used storytelling methods. Applied it in various domains including Oncology. Also worked on new generation UIs like virtual assistants, Voice UIs, AR.

Method details cannot be disclosed as per NDA.


Key contributions:
- Applied this method for various topics, often in format of creative workshops, group ideations, and critique sessions
- Extracted learnings from its usage to create guidelines for the method
- Explored animation as media for this purpose
- While applying this method, developed concepts (low-fi prototypes, videos), and co-authored 4+ Invention disclosures (submitted internally at Philips).

Co-create workshops

For a project REACH, contributed to a co-create (mini-design sprints) method while designing for the ageing society in mult-national context. Details can be found in this conference paper (co-author): Co-creating product-service-system with and for the ageing society.