Voice first user research with Konstantin Samoylov and Adam Banks

We’re talking to ex-Googlers, Konstantin Samoylov and Adam Banks,
about their findings from conducting research on voice assistants
at Google and their approach to building world-leading UX labs.


This episode is a whirlwind of insights, practical advice and
engaging anecdotes that cover the width and breadth of user
research and user behaviour in the voice first and voice
assistant space. It’s littered with examples of user behaviour
found when researching voice at Google and peppered with guidance
on how to create world-class user research spaces.


Some of the things we discuss include:


Findings from countless voice assistant studies at Google

Real user behaviour in the on-boarding process

User trust of voice assistants

What people expect from voice assistants

User mental models when using voice assistants

The difference between replicating your app and designing for
voice

The difference between a voice assistant and a voice
interface

The difference between user expectations and reality

How voice assistant responses can shape people’s expectations
of the full functionality of the thing

What makes a good UX lab

How to design a user research space

How voice will disrupt and challenge organisational structure

Is there a place for advertising on voice assistants?

Mistakes people make when seeking a voice presence (Hint:
starting with ‘let’s create an Alexa Skill’ rather than ‘how will

people interact with our brand via voice?’)

The importance (or lack of) of speed in voice user
interfaces?

How to fit voice user research into a design sprint



Plus, for those of you watching on YouTube, we have a tour of the
UX Lab in a Box!



Our Guests

Konstantin Samoylov and Adam Banks are world-leading user
researchers and research lab creators, and founders of user
research consultancy firm, UX Study.


The duo left Google in 2016 after pioneering studies in virtual
assistants and voice, as well as designing and creating over 50
user research labs across the globe, and managing the entirety of
Google’s global user research spaces.


While working as researchers and lab builders at Google, and
showing companies their research spaces, plenty of companies used
to ask Konstantin and Adam whether they can recommend a company
to build them a similar lab. Upon realising that company doesn’t
exist, they set about creating it!


UX Study designs and builds research and design spaces for
companies, provides research consultancy services and training,
as well as hires and sells its signature product, UX Lab in a
Box.



UX Lab in a Box

The Lab in a Box, http://ux-study.com/products/lab-in-a-box/ is
an audio and video recording, mixing and broadcasting unit
designed specifically to help user researchers conduct reliable,
consistent and speedy studies.


It converts any space into a user research lab in minutes and
helps researchers focus on the most important aspect of their
role - research!


It was born after the duo, in true researcher style, conducted
user research on user researchers and found that 30% of a
researchers time is spent fiddling with cables, setting up
studies, editing video and generally faffing around doing things
that aren’t research!



Konstantin Samoylov

Konstantin Samoylov is an award-winning user researcher. He has
nearly 20 years’ experience in the field and has conducted over
1000 user research studies.


He was part of the team that pioneered voice at Google and was
the first researcher to focus on voice dialogues and actions. By
the time he left, just 2 years ago, most of the studies into user
behaviour on voice assistants at Google were conducted by him.



Adam Banks

It’s likely that Adam Banks has more experience in creating user
research spaces than anyone else on the planet. He designed,
built and managed all of Google’s user research labs globally
including the newly-opened ‘Userplex’ in San Francisco.


He’s created over 50 research and design spaces across the globe
for Google, and also has vast experience in conducting user
research himself.



Links

Visit the UX Study website


Follow UX Study on Twitter


Check out the UX Lab in a Box


Follow Kostantin on Twitter


Follow Adam on Twitter


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