This intense UX research master course taking place on Big Island, Hawaii, is for people who have a basic understanding of user experience research. Participants will have intimate 1:1 and small group training activities conducting research in the field, and working with stakeholders. This training takes a process approach: participants will execute a research study (that will be planned prior to the retreat), analyze results, and report findings effectively to stakeholders.

• Team-Based Research: Students will collaborate in teams to execute in-depth, in-person UX interviews, supporting local Hawaii businesses.

• Findings & Presentation: After conducting research, teams will synthesize their findings and present their insights to key stakeholders.

• Guidance from the Best: Engage closely with senior-level researchers throughout the retreat. Benefit from their invaluable feedback, and learn from their real-world experiences in both research and stakeholder interactions.

• All Inclusive: Participants will live together in an off-grid oasis on Big Island, Hawaii. Escape into an ancient Hawaiian forest where you can enjoy ocean and mountain views and the quiet peace of being nestled within a private 24 acre native Hawaiian Ohia and Koa forest. This off-grid 9,000 square-foot facility has 11 bedrooms and 5 baths. A wrap-around Lani makes for great gathering spaces to enjoy meals, relax and read, nap, and hang out with other attendees. All meals will be prepared daily by our personal chef.

• Local Hawaiian Activities: Participants will partake in local Hawaii activities, such as lei making, sound healing and a luau.

• Space is limited to ensure an intense hands-on learning environment. Participants will work closely with each other and instructors and will have extensive personal training and attention.

Learning Objectives:

When participants have completed this intensive training, they will be able to:

• Understand and explain to others what user experience research is and what it can contribute to a design effort

• Choose a method and plan research for real-life application

• Develop, conduct, analyze, and report findings from a survey

• Develop, conduct, analyze, and report findings from in-depth interviews

• Interact with stakeholders and understand what questions to ask and how to keep them engaged

• Reflect on how to pivot when things do not go as expected in a research study or with stakeholders

• Ensure that research is applicable to product development

• Ace interview questions with real-life experiences

• Give back to local Hawaii businesses, while experiencing paradise with aloha