Usability Testing in the Wild 🍍

Usability testing doesn't have to be complicated.

Where are your users? Out there, of course. Chilling in the sun, enjoying life, probably longing for refreshment.

Who are your users? Male? Female? Diverse? In their teens? Twenties? Thirties? If only you could pick them at will. Even without hiring a company that does the recruiting for you. Because they're out there. Waiting to be interviewed.

How do you test in the wild? Pick a sunny day. Prepare refreshments and put them in a cooling box. Beer cans, soft drinks, the good stuff. Cut up pineapple, melon and cool them too. Grab your favourite usability friend and head out to the island. It's summer, after all.

Spot the user base according to your criteria. Approach them and don't be shy. Ask if they want to join your usability study, outline the experiment and estimate the time it'll take them to complete it (just don't actually call it an "experiment"). Last but not least, show them what they'll gain: refreshments on a hot summer day.

Do the usability test as usual. If it seems fitting, you could even play some quiet background music, if it loosens up your users and makes the whole operation more accessible. Get precious feedback. Thank them for it. Give them their treats. One drink, one slice of pineapple. Do some more testing. Refresh your users.

Happy usability testing in the wild!