At Thirdbridge, we believe that the key to developing a successful mobile application lies in a deep understanding of its users. Yet, many projects start with preconceived solutions without truly considering the real needs of those they are designed for. This is where user interviews play a crucial role: they ensure that every design decision is based on concrete data rather than assumptions.

What we often notice is that this essential step is unfortunately overlooked by clients. There are various methods to gather user data, and understanding how this phase maximizes the impact of a digital project is key.

Understanding the Problem Before Designing

A great idea doesn’t always guarantee success. Before making any decisions, it's essential to consider the actual needs and expectations of end users.

Asking the right questions to the right people from the outset helps uncover user frustrations and behaviors, enabling the design of meaningful and high-value features. This approach prevents wasted time and resources on solutions that don’t address real problems.

To help you navigate the world of UX research, we’ve identified three key methods for gathering valuable insights from users and, in turn, making the best decisions for your digital product:

Key Techniques for Gathering User Insights

1. One-on-One Interviews: The Foundation of the Process

Individual interviews provide a deeper understanding of users. By using a structured interview framework with open-ended questions, participants are encouraged to speak freely in a comfortable and trusting environment.

At Thirdbridge, we take a collaborative approach: a moderator engages in conversation with the user while another team member takes detailed notes. This process helps identify specific friction points and uncover actionable solutions.

2. Focus Groups: Exploring Ideas as a Community

A focus group is a qualitative research method where a small group of participants (typically 5 to 10 people) discusses a specific topic under the guidance of a moderator. This approach gathers valuable insights into user needs, opinions, and frustrations through interactive discussions. Ideal for exploring ideas or testing concepts, focus groups provide a deeper understanding of target audience expectations. While not representative of an entire population, they offer rich and nuanced perspectives to help guide digital project development.

Before Moving to Production:

Evaluating the Solution

Once wireframes or prototypes are created, presenting them to users is crucial to validate their relevance. User testing helps confirm design choices and make necessary adjustments before development begins, reducing costs and potential errors.

Several methods can be used to test prototypes with users:

• User Testing: Users interact with a prototype to determine if they can navigate it intuitively and achieve their goals without confusion.
• A/B Testing: Comparing two versions of an interface to assess which one performs better and provides the best user experience.
• Comprehension Testing: Evaluating the readability and clarity of text content.
• Heat Map and Click Analysis: Using tracking tools to identify the most frequently interacted areas and those that are overlooked.

Why Invest in User Interviews from the Start?

We've seen it with some clients—there is often hesitation when it comes to investing time and resources in user research, with the assumption that this step is unnecessary. However, it is critical for:

• Cost Reduction: Identifying real user needs early on prevents unnecessary spending on non-essential features.
• Defining a Clear MVP: Engaging with target users helps prioritize key functionalities for an efficient launch and a digital product that quickly meets market demands.

Ultimately, end users are the best judges of what works and what doesn’t. Skipping this step increases the risk of developing a product disconnected from their expectations.

Putting Users at the Heart of the Process for Long-Term Success

At Thirdbridge, we integrate user interviews from the very beginning of our projects to ensure a final product that truly resonates with users while optimizing costs in the long run. By identifying strategic challenges with our clients, gathering concrete data from end users, and conducting collaborative workshops, we prioritize real needs to design a seamless user journey.

By keeping users at the heart of the process, we turn ideas into impactful digital solutions—designed for those who actually use them.