_______ Background

Google Play is the official app store for Android devices, developed by Google. It serves as a digital media store, offering games, books, movies, and television programs. Each of these services are stand-alone applications Google Play Books, Google Play Movies & TV (now Google TV) and Google Play Games. 

_______ Process

The Google Play org wanted to conduct tactical research more often to answer questions about releasing new features. I was responsible for conducting monthly usability studies for the Google Play Books, Movies & TV and Games teams. These studies were conducted in-person and they were moderated. 

I also helped senior UX Researchers by doing literature review of research done in the past within each of the teams, company-wide research for common features and analyzing survey results.

TYPE OF RESEARCH QUESTIONS 

• Do users understand what this new feature is and how to use it?
• Can users find what they want to with the current flow?
• Is this feature truly useful to our users?
• Are they able to understand what these UI elements and titles mean?
• Are users able to understand the copy?
• Is the onboarding effective?
• What do users feel about sharing certain personal information?

PROJECT LIFECYCLE

1. Talk to Product Managers, UX Designers, Lead UX Researchers to narrow down the research questions to be answered
2. Create screeners for the recruitment team to recruit the right participants for the study
3. Prepare the research plan and script 
4. Work with the UX Designer to make the design prototype necessary for the study
5. Conduct 8 - 10 usability studies
6. Analyze the data and prepare the report
7. Present insights and recommendations to different stakeholders including UX Designers, Product Managers, Lead UX Researchers, UX Design and Engineering Leads across different geographical locations and blow everyone's minds out!
8. Repeat the whole process the next month with a different team

_______ Impact

• I helped stakeholders, like UX and Engineering Leads, Product Managers and Designers, understand what design or conceptual changes the product needs.

• My research informed and supported senior designers to pitch their ideas to stakeholders. 

• My recommendations influenced the experience of the billions of people who use Google Play Books, Movies or Games services.

Let's connect!

Get in touch via email or LinkedIn, and let’s discuss how we can help each other.
Now that you're here, do check out my writing, photography and crypto art too!

© Anagha Varrier