Summary:

Desk Research (Secondary):

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It refers to gathering and analysing existing data from various sources to inform design decisions for UX projects. eg. published materials.

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• It typically serves as a starting point for design projects, providing designers with the knowledge to guide their approach and help them make informed design choices.

Importance in the Design Process-

Desk research helps designers better understand the problem space, explore best practices and industry trends, and identify potential design opportunities without reinventing the wheel while learning from others mistakes.

Limitations-

• Potential bias in sources
• Limited access to certain information
• Lack of real-time data

I always use this type of research as a starting point in any projects, to give me an idea of what the subject area is about and what existing problems are already there.

Competitors Analysis:

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This is a technique that UX researchers use to understand the competition, identify opportunities, and find an edge.

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• This analysis provides UX design teams with valuable insights to develop a UX strategy and enhance a product’s user experience as well as business value.

Why conduct one?

• Understand your market position and share
• Develop a UX strategy and prioritise the design process
• Discover how competitors solve similar usability issues
• Learn about failures and how to avoid them