Freelance Design Researcher

About argodesign:

argodesign is a product design consultancy that believes technology should be beautiful, useful, and as visible as it needs to be to serve customer and business goals. We deliver sophisticated product strategies and design solutions imbued with technology, helping companies better integrate tools of innovation while providing vital context for customers. argo approaches technology from a human perspective — where it can add value, and how it can positively affect the human experience. We’re designing for a future people want to live in. 

We are a team of experienced designers, expert technologists, strategic thinkers, and passionate makers. Our industry, design, and technical expertise allow us to provide thoughtful critiques of the world as it is today and where it’s headed. 

We work with clients with whom our contribution will have a material impact on the success of the company and the world around us. It is our greatest satisfaction to see our work in the market, making a difference in people’s lives. 

At argodesign we are looking for a Sr. Design Researcher to lead and drive research activities that will ensure that teams develop a unique lens into the problem that can unpack experiences and develop empathy, leading to insights that allow us to develop and test new solutions. Design Researchers at argodesign work directly with end-users, client-side design teams, third-party developers, in-house visual and interaction designers, creative technologists, and program managers. As a researcher at argodesign, you will have an unparalleled opportunity to directly impact some of the world’s most beloved products… and help invent the next generation of products and services. 

We are inclusive and believe in diversity — of skillset, ethnicity, lifestyle, and career experience. Through these channels and the unique experiences of new hires, argodesign continues to remain on the leading edge of technology and design. 

Role and responsibilities:

• Work directly with the Creative Director or Associate Creative Director to articulate design research strategies and approaches through a series of activities and artifacts (ie interviews, usability tests, card sorts, competitive analyses, surveys, secondary/desk research, heuristic evaluations)
• Ability to articulate the benefits of selecting a particular methodology for a project
• Ability to approach research without bias toward actionable outcomes
• Conduct and lead primary research, as well as participate in discovery activities like extracting insights from interviews through synthesis
• Use both qualitative and quantitative data to generate insights and opportunity areas for further exploration
• Define the research approach and methods for the project context, considering desired research outcomes, agreed sample, regulatory constraints, and client engagement
• Prepare research protocols including tools, structure, interview guide and supporting materials
• Train and onboard team members and clients who will participate in research fieldwork
• Lead interviews and other fieldwork activities
• Lead the synthesis process from in-field synthesis to the final research report; identifying themes and insights, finding synergies, connections, patterns to guide design, as well as potential design concepts which support identified user needs/wants
• Contribute to developing and delivering client presentations

About you:

• You have 7 to 10 years’ experience as a professional Design Researcher with the skills and sensibilities of a design generalist who can also lean into strategy, and interaction or visual design.
• You have a portfolio that demonstrates your highly developed research skills.
• You are passionate about design and constantly seeking to expand your knowledge and grow your skills.
• You have experience as the research lead on multi-disciplined client-facing engagements.
• You have real empathy and respect for your audience of end-users as demonstrated by your sensitivity to emotion and storytelling.
• You have a working knowledge of available client-side technologies on a variety of platforms.
• You are a confident and adept storyteller.
• You have excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to clearly articulate the rationale behind research decisions and synthesis.