Abstract
User research stands a cornerstone in the design process with various tools, methodologies, and techniques in collecting and analysing data which is being taught and practiced in Industrial Design (ID) studios. The significance of user research lies in its pivotal role in ensuring that design solutions effectively meet the diverse needs of user. However, shifting the focus to real-world scenarios and complex topics, gaining practical insight as well as feedback from users has its own challenges for undergraduate students. Navigating the balance between practicing the user research principles within a user-centered framework, employing effective methodologies that tailors to each project, and considering academic realities (e.g. time limitation, IRB requirement) adds various level of complexity to the agile process of ideation and user testing. This multifaceted challenge resonates not only with ID students but also with educators striving to instil a comprehensive understanding of user- centric design. While nowadays Artificial Intelligence (AI) is mainly used by ID students and educators for creative purposes the true power of AI, data can also be utilized to facilitate the user research. Investigating the challenges that the ID students face regarding practicing adequate user research methods using AI; this study takes closer look into the challenges faced and the user experience of utilizing AI tools for design research. It delves deeper into the symbiotic relationship between AI and design education. It employs and studies the effectiveness of AI tools to advance the user research through practical application such as crafting survey criteria and interview questions, pinpointing probable biases, virtual users to interviews, accessibility considerations. This exploration into the perception of using AI for user research and design education unveils a promising trajectory for the future. It comments on the gaps in the current tools and possible improvement of existing technological advancements thus creating a more empathetic, user-focused and effective design research probes.
Keywords
Industrial Design Education; User research; Artificial Intelligence in User Research; User- Centered Framework; Innovation in Design Education
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.799
Citation
Morshedzadeh, E.,and Shukla, S.(2025) Integrating AI-Enhanced User Research in Industrial Design Education, in Chang, C.-Y., and Hsu, Y. (eds.), IASDR 2025: Design Next, 02-05 December, Taiwan. https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2025.799
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
Conference Track
Track 12 - Design Education
Integrating AI-Enhanced User Research in Industrial Design Education
User research stands a cornerstone in the design process with various tools, methodologies, and techniques in collecting and analysing data which is being taught and practiced in Industrial Design (ID) studios. The significance of user research lies in its pivotal role in ensuring that design solutions effectively meet the diverse needs of user. However, shifting the focus to real-world scenarios and complex topics, gaining practical insight as well as feedback from users has its own challenges for undergraduate students. Navigating the balance between practicing the user research principles within a user-centered framework, employing effective methodologies that tailors to each project, and considering academic realities (e.g. time limitation, IRB requirement) adds various level of complexity to the agile process of ideation and user testing. This multifaceted challenge resonates not only with ID students but also with educators striving to instil a comprehensive understanding of user- centric design. While nowadays Artificial Intelligence (AI) is mainly used by ID students and educators for creative purposes the true power of AI, data can also be utilized to facilitate the user research. Investigating the challenges that the ID students face regarding practicing adequate user research methods using AI; this study takes closer look into the challenges faced and the user experience of utilizing AI tools for design research. It delves deeper into the symbiotic relationship between AI and design education. It employs and studies the effectiveness of AI tools to advance the user research through practical application such as crafting survey criteria and interview questions, pinpointing probable biases, virtual users to interviews, accessibility considerations. This exploration into the perception of using AI for user research and design education unveils a promising trajectory for the future. It comments on the gaps in the current tools and possible improvement of existing technological advancements thus creating a more empathetic, user-focused and effective design research probes.