Explorative Interview

Collaborate to develop a list of open-ended questions that explore the everyday life of the user. Investigate the problem and events that precede the problem.

Step 1. Create an interview guide: Develop a plan that outlines the topics and questions you will explore to understand your user or customer. Start with broader questions to gain a big picture of their lives and gradually delve into more specific details. Conduct the interview in a location where the participant feels comfortable, such as their home. Use the interview guide to guide your questioning but be open to exploring unexpected avenues as well.

Step 2. Use open-ended questions: Frame your interview questions in a way that allows the participant to explain their behavior or opinions from their own perspective. Avoid questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." Instead, ask questions that encourage participants to provide specific information, such as "Tell me more about..." or "What made you think/say/feel/do that?"

Step 3. Follow up with probing questions: Dive deeper into the participant's responses by asking follow-up questions that encourage them to reveal more details. Examples include "When you say...," or "What made you [think/say/feel/do] that way?" This will help you uncover valuable insights and gain a comprehensive understanding of their experiences.

Step 4. Conclude the interview: Once you have gathered sufficient information, wrap up the interview. Thank the participant for their time and willingness to share their insights. Make sure to capture any relevant images or videos with their consent, as these can provide additional context and support your analysis.

Explorative Interview

Conduct an interview with users to learn more about the user before developing a product or service. Develop a list of open ended questions and explore the everyday life of the user. Document which questions provided the most insight. Finally in your conclusion

Group Size: 1-2

Materials Needed: Explorative Interview, Questions, Video Camera, Sketches or Photos, Markers

Duration: 30-120 mins

Explorative Interview

The purpose of an explorative interview is to delve into the everyday life of our users or customers and gain a deeper understanding of their overall needs beyond our product offering. This will involve exploring their aspirations, motivations, frustrations, values, and beliefs. By focusing on the human aspect rather than just our product, we can create an experience that truly delights and amazes.

  • Validate persona and their problem/needs

    Explore the everyday life of people

    Get a grasp of user unspoken needs

    Understand the user values, beliefs, aspirations, motivations, frustration

    Discover opportunities within the users story

  • Collaborate with your team to conduct and exploratative interview 1-3 team members with the user. Develop a list of questions. The first set of questions are general introduction questions that get to know the persona. The second set of questions are help to understand the persona's needs, hopes, frustrations, fears. Then finally thank the interviewee for the interview and finish the interview with "If you had one wish to make?"

  • Step 1. Create an interview guide: Develop a plan that outlines the topics and questions you will explore to understand your user or customer. Start with broader questions to gain a big picture of their lives and gradually delve into more specific details. Conduct the interview in a location where the participant feels comfortable, such as their home. Use the interview guide to guide your questioning but be open to exploring unexpected avenues as well.

    Step 2. Use open-ended questions: Frame your interview questions in a way that allows the participant to explain their behavior or opinions from their own perspective. Avoid questions that can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." Instead, ask questions that encourage participants to provide specific information, such as "Tell me more about..." or "What made you think/say/feel/do that?"

    Step 3. Follow up with probing questions: Dive deeper into the participant's responses by asking follow-up questions that encourage them to reveal more details. Examples include "When you say...," or "What made you [think/say/feel/do] that way?" This will help you uncover valuable insights and gain a comprehensive understanding of their experiences.

    Step 4. Conclude the interview: Once you have gathered sufficient information, wrap up the interview. Thank the participant for their time and willingness to share their insights. Make sure to capture any relevant images or videos with their consent, as these can provide additional context and support your analysis.

  • Set the tone: Begin the interview by establishing a friendly and comfortable atmosphere.

    Prepare open-ended questions: Focus on asking questions that encourage the interviewee to provide detailed responses. Open-ended questions typically start with "what," "how," or "why," and allow for a more in-depth exploration of the topic.

    Active listening: Pay close attention to the interviewee's responses and demonstrate active listening. Nod, maintain eye contact, and use verbal cues such as "mm-hmm" or "I see" to show that you are engaged and interested in what they have to say.

    Avoid leading questions: Be mindful of your wording and avoid leading questions that could influence the interviewee's responses. Instead, aim for neutral and objective questions that allow them to express their own thoughts and opinions.

    Follow-up questions: After each response, ask follow-up questions to dig deeper into the topic.

    Recap and summary: Towards the end of the interview, summarize the key points discussed to ensure mutual understanding.

    Thank them: Finally, express your gratitude for their time and willingness to share their insights. Then ask the interviewee a final question "If you had one wish to make?"

Explorative Interview

In a design thinking explorative interview, the goal is to gain a deep understanding of the user's needs, motivations, and pain points. The questions you ask should focus on gathering qualitative insights and uncovering valuable information. Here are some types of questions you can ask:

Open-ended questions: Begin with broad questions that encourage the interviewee to provide detailed responses. For example:

  • Can you tell me about your experience with [the product, service, or problem area]?

  • What are some challenges you face in [specific task or context]?

  • "Why" questions: Use probing questions to dig deeper into the interviewee's thought process and uncover underlying motivations and reasons. For example:

    • Why is [a specific feature or aspect] important to you?

    • Why do you prefer [a particular solution or approach] over others?

  • "Tell me about a time" questions: Ask the interviewee to recall specific experiences or instances related to the problem area you are exploring. This can provide valuable insights into their behaviors and pain points. For example:

    • Can you recall a recent situation where you encountered difficulties with [a particular task]?

    • Tell me about a time when you felt frustrated or dissatisfied with [a specific product or service]. What happened?

Hypothetical questions: Present hypothetical scenarios or ideas to gauge the interviewee's reactions and thought process. This can help explore potential solutions and generate innovative ideas. For example:

  • How do you imagine [a specific feature or solution] would impact your experience?

  • If you had complete control over [the product or service], what changes or improvements would you make?

    Emotional questions: Explore the interviewee's emotional connection and attachment to the problem area or potential solutions. These questions can help uncover unmet needs and desired outcomes. For example:

    • How does [the problem or current solution] make you feel?

    • What would a perfect solution look like to you, and how would it make you feel?

Remember, the key is to create a comfortable and open environment where the interviewee feels encouraged to share their thoughts, experiences, and emotions. Active listening, empathy, and follow-up questions based on their responses are also crucial for a successful design thinking explorative interview.

Validate our Customers and their problem.

Demographic Information:

  • What is your age?

  • What is your gender?

  • Where do you live? (City, country)

  • What is your educational background?

  • What is your occupation?

Behaviors and Habits:

  • How do you typically make purchasing decisions?

  • Where do you usually shop for products/services?

  • How often do you use social media?

  • Which social media platforms do you prefer?

  • Do you prefer online shopping or in-person shopping?

Communication Preferences:

  • How do you prefer to communicate with others (email, phone, in-person)?

  • How often do you check your email?

  • Do you prefer text messages or phone calls?

  • Are you active on social media? Which platforms do you use?

Additional Comments:

  • Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself or your preferences?

Personal Background:

  • What are your hobbies and interests?

  • How do you spend your free time?

  • What are your favorite books/movies/TV shows?

  • Do you have any pets?

  • Are you married or single?

Pain Points and Challenges:

  • What are your biggest challenges or obstacles in daily life?

  • What frustrates you the most in your current situation?

  • What difficulties do you face in your job or career?

  • What problems would you like to solve with the help of a product/service?

Product/Service Preferences:

  • What features are most important to you when considering a product/service?

  • What factors influence your purchasing decisions the most?

  • What brands do you trust or prefer?

  • Have you used similar products/services before?

Goals and Aspirations:

  • What are your short-term goals?

  • What are your long-term goals?

  • What motivates you in life?

  • What do you hope to achieve professionally?

Information Sources:

  • How do you stay updated with the latest news and trends?

  • Which websites or blogs do you frequently visit?

  • Do you subscribe to any newsletters or magazines?

  • Do you rely on recommendations from friends or family?

Feedback and Suggestions:

  • Is there anything specific you would like to see improved in existing products/services?

  • Do you have any suggestions for new products/services that would cater to your needs?

  • What would make you more likely to recommend a product/service to others?