Lesson 14 · Unit 2 · IA Day
IA Day 3
User & Product Research
Mini-lesson on turning raw evidence into Criterion A analysis, then protected work time.
80 minutesMini-lesson + work timeSL Design Project
Today’s question
What evidence will make your primary persona and product analysis credible?
The goal is to leave class with visible evidence—not just ideas in your head.
What evidence will make your primary persona and product analysis credible?01
15–20 min mini-lesson
Criterion A rewards analysed evidence—not a folder full of research.
Collected
“4 users said opening was hard.”
Useful raw evidence, but it does not yet explain what the redesign should address.
→
Analysed
“Difficulty is concentrated at the twisting step and increases when the hand is wet.”
This identifies task conditions and a specific opportunity that can inform the persona and problem direction.
Evidence becomes valuable when it changes understanding.02
Empathize
Build all three strands in parallel.
Primary persona
User evidence
Characteristics, context, preferences, motivations and requirements relevant to the redesign, supported visually.
Storyboard
Observed task
A detailed visual sequence showing issues encountered by the primary persona.
Existing products
Comparative testing
Annotated product-testing evidence; the guide describes a typical range of four to six products.
Criterion A · persona + storyboard + existing-product analysis.03
Decide what to do next
Prioritize missing evidence, not easy evidence.
| If you are missing… | Do this today |
|---|---|
| Real behaviour | Plan or conduct observation / task analysis. |
| User motivations | Interview the primary persona with open questions. |
| Product-performance comparison | Design a repeatable test across similar products. |
| Human-factor evidence | Measure relevant anthropometric / ergonomic dimensions or interaction requirements. |
Choose the method because of the evidence gap.04
~50–55 min protected work time
Advance Criterion A with visible evidence.
1
Execute or refine one user research method.
2
Collect / organize evidence for your primary persona.
3
Progress your storyboard from observed task evidence.
4
Begin or continue testing comparable existing products.
5
Write 2–3 analytical statements explaining what the evidence means for redesign.
WORK
Teacher conference: show the evidence, then explain what design implication you can defend from it.
Today’s deliverable: new evidence + analysis, not generic background research.05
5-minute checkpoint
Can another person trace your claim back to evidence?
1. Which claim about your persona is now better supported?
Your answer should name a specific characteristic, context, preference, motivation or requirement and point to the evidence supporting it.
2. Which task pain point is clearest?
Name the exact step, observed behaviour and why it creates a redesign opportunity.
3. What is one success or weakness revealed through product testing?
Use a specific tested feature and the evidence—not a vague statement such as “better quality.”
Research is ready for IA when evidence and interpretation are connected.06
Exit ticket
Before you leave…
1. Name the strongest new evidence you produced today.
2. State one design implication that follows from it.
3. Identify the next missing piece of Criterion A evidence.
Next lesson
Physiology, Psychology & the Senses
Keep the evidence chain moving: user → research → decision → test.
Curriculum alignment
IA Criterion A · primary persona · storyboard based on task analysis · testing / analysis of a range of existing products · human-factor evidence where relevant.
IA Criterion A · primary persona · storyboard based on task analysis · testing / analysis of a range of existing products · human-factor evidence where relevant.
Lesson complete7 slides
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IB Design Technology SL · Lesson 1407