A quick guide to setting up your first UX Lab

1. GDS Presentation
Craig Spencer, UX Research Manager, Tesco Plc
Building your first UX Lab : Lessons learn’t

2. Background
Reconfigured existing facility Established first facility Advised on configuration
Different types of involvement . . .

3. Background
Ability to test & learn. . . testing is not dead!

4. Background
But testing & lab work is just one tool, we mustn’t forget our through the keyhole ethno work

5. Things to think about . . .

6. Key considerations
Is your lab just for holding 1-2-1 user sessions?

7. Do you need to do mobile testing? (highly likely)
Key considerations

8. Is your lab going to run participatory design and or focus group work?
Key considerations

9. Do stakeholders need to see recorded sessions, or participate in “live” testing ?
Key considerations

10. Is the lab part of a shift from a ‘bricks and mortar” approach to a digital transformation ?
Key considerations

11. What capacity does your lab need to deal with? (participants & stakeholders)
Key considerations

12. Is it purely a lab your are building or a UX/Design space?
Key considerations

13. Option 1 - Using Roo
Be able to conduct 1-2-1 usability
evaluations, on desktop, mobile devices,
and smart surfaces.
Typically we mirror the screen that the
user is using so the researcher can see
what they are doing without having to
hover over the user.
For mobile testing we would ideally like
the user to sit back/relax as they use the
device.
Be able to conduct evaluations
whereby a user might use a device
whilst watching a TV screen.
Be able to hold user groups - 8-12
users, where we can show early
designs/concepts and work through
these with users.
We often split the large group down into
sub teams and then insert a member of
the Guardian team.
Sometimes this might be an electronic
design or a paper design which we
would work through on the floor.
Be able to write electronically (on the
smartboard) or on a surface and pin
design ideas to the walls (magnetic
would be great).
Be able to conduct 1-2-1 eye-tracking
evaluations on desktop and mobile
devices. Eye-tracking requires
adjustable then fixed stats in terms of
seating.
Be able to conduct card sorting
exercises with 1 or more users,
where users categorise cards as
part of a navigation task.
CORE E
CORE E
THIS ROOM PROVIDES FLEXIBILITY
WITHOUT HAVING TO CHANGE THE
SHAPE/FURNITURE IN THE ROOM.
CORE E
OPTION 1
OPTION 2
CORE E
OPTION 1
OPTION 2
LAYOUT FOR FOOD
CORE E
OPTION 1
OPTION 2
1 Joyn bench table
2 8-person sofa
3 70'' movable smart scre
4 Writable magnetic wall
5 Comms rack
6 Coats cupboard with fri
7 Smart screen relocated
8 Lockable glass doors h
9 Reception sofas with si
10 New solid wall
11 1-way glazed apeture
12 Viewing monitor
13 Soft viewing chairs
14 Re-used smart screen
15 Joyn work bench
16 Mac editing station
17 Overhead camera
CORE E
OPTION 1
OPTION 2
CORE E
10
1
14
15
16
4
Scenario 1
Scenario 5
Scenario 2
Scenario 6
Scenario 3
Scenario 7
Scenario 4
Be able to conduct semi-automated
user evaluations on desktop and
mobile devices, whereby a user
comes into the lab, sits down,
listens to instructions, and then
completes tasks on their devices.
SUSPENDED LIGHTING JOYN
Plan the scenarios your lab will fulfil , down to the detail (plug sockets, chair placements)
Key considerations

14. You may need to help stakeholders visualise the end result
Key considerations

15. Lets’ take a look . . .

16. Getting what’s right for your organisation
Capabilities
There is nothing wrong with just a simple PC in a room with screen capture technology (Morae)
There is nothing wrong with guerrilla techniques (used appropriately)
But for some organisations they will require more, and need a professional lab setup
Lets look at a lab set up . . .

17. Capabilities
Capabilities
Wireless mobile screen capture (Android, iOS, Windows)
Full pan/tilt cameras with unto 20 x Zoom
“Picture in Picture” capabilities with all inputs
Full HD (720p, up to 1080p) viewing and recording
Lab fully controllable through customised iPad app
HD recording and storage
Wireless microphones for flexible sound capture
TV Wall so stakeholders can see everything clearly

18. Capabilities (picture in picture capabilities)
Capabilities

19. Core Technology
Capabilities
Digital Matrix (they come in many different sizes)
Deals with all the “tricky” issues - HDCP
Pro AV components deliver stability and reliability

20. Core Technology
Capabilities
Inputs > > Outputs
Screen captures, camera,
microphones etc
HD feeds for the recorders
and TV screens & balanced
audio

21. Lessons learn’t . . .

22. Key learnings
Things to think about . . .
1: Building your lab doesn’t immediately
change stakeholder behaviour

23. Key learnings
Things to think about . . .
2: You need to spec your equipment (physically
get examples and demo units) and ensure it
has room for additions e.g. extra camera

24. Key learnings
Things to think about . . .
3: Ensure your lab can be moved (location), or
at the very least is modular / flexible

25. Key learnings
Things to think about . . .
4: Think carefully about the footage you will capture
and your subsequent storage requirements

26. Key learnings
Things to think about . . .
5: One-way glass : it’s very very difficult to get
right, consider a different approach

27. Key learnings
Things to think about . . .
6: Don’t think you can build the very minimum you
need and then easily add new features / functionality

28. Key learnings
Things to think about . . .
7: Finance need to be your friends! You will most likely
need senior stakeholder backing

29. Thank you . . .
1st
craig.spencer@uk.tesco.com
UX Research Manager, Tesco
craigwspencer@googlemail.com