Words from Outwitly Academy’s Alumni

Design Research Mastery is hands down the best investment I've made in my design career to date.

Yasmin B. | Service Designer

By Far the most effective course out there for design research!

Khuyen F. | Service Designer

Design Research Mastery was a tremendous complement to my years of experience in design.

Talia K. | Creative Lead

Why take this course?

  • The on-the-job learning
    curve is steep

    Even if you’ve been conducting research for years, impostor syndrome can be hard to shake, or to hide from stakeholders. This course will teach you how to come prepared — the true secret to confidence.

  • There’s not always time
    for trial and error

    Maybe you were thrown into research at the last minute, or you’re feeling the heat from tight deadlines. DRM’s tried and tested guides will get you moving without the fear of skipping crucial steps.

  • You can’t lead good research
    without strategy

    The best researchers can juggle several roles— they’re project managers, negotiators & strategists. Sara Fortier’s in-depth modules will help you plan complex projects, organize teams, align stakeholders & deliver on your goals.

Who is it for?

✓ Junior UX researchers and recent design grads who have received some foundational education but want more in-depth, hands-on tips for running research projects in the design industry.

✓ Advanced-to-senior UX designers looking to expand their skillsets and dive into the world of research, service design, design strategy and consulting.

✓ Managers, strategists and analysts working in UX, service design or HCD who want to deepen their knowledge of what research teams need and how they should operate.

✓ Professionals from other fields who are transitioning into UX and human-centered design and need to advocate for design research in their organizations.

✓ Anyone interested in design research and its capacity to inspire successful product and service transformations.

Conduct design research that executives will praise.

Do you feel like your insights reports get ignored?

Design Research Mastery will help you glean useful findings and synthesize data into constructive reporting that not only gets noticed, but inspires real change.

Journey Map

Watch your career options multiply.

Land a leadership role in design and kick off with all the confidence you need to spearhead research projects end-to-end.

Transition into service design or UX with an ease that impresses stakeholders and convinces them to invest in research.

Have clients approach you for help on their user research and design strategy initiatives because they trust your expertise.
Man in meeting


Rethink Your Research Approach.

Avoid common pitfalls that can leave you scrambling, and revise your
strategies for three core qualitative research methods:

  • In-Depth Interviews

    Plan your protocols with seamless,
    strategic flow.

    Approach your participants
    the right way.

    Ask well-formed questions that
    spark “aha” moments.

  • Observations

    Smoothly organize complex
    multi-day field trips.

    Show up to observation days
    with a clear, unified purpose.

    Make good impressions in a new environment.

  • Diary Studies

    Ward off accidental bias in
    your findings.

    Sustain momentum through
    long reporting periods.
    

    Get thorough, constructive
    feedback from each participant.

Design Research Mastery

Module Breakdown

  1. 1

    • Welcome to Design Research Mastery!

    • Introduction to Design Research

    • Favorite Tools & Methods

    • Design Research Resources

    • DRM Empathy Map Template

    • DRM 50+ Design Research Methods & Tools Cheat Sheet
  2. 2

    • 1. How to Set Your Project Up for Success

    • 2. Project Scoping

    • 3. Project Timelines & Schedules

    • 4. Project Risks & Mitigation Strategies

    • 5. Project Charter & Governance
  3. 3

    • 1. Introduction to Research Planning

    • 2. Setting Effective Research Goals

    • 3. Choosing the Right Research Methods

    • 4. User Groups & Recruiting Criteria

    • 5. Recruiting Methods & Incentives

    • 6. Scripts & Screeners

    • 7. Participant Consent

    • 8. Draft Your Research Plan

    • 9. Recruiting Tips

    • BONUS: Signature Research Planning Bundle

    • BONUS: Complete Guide to Recruiting for Research
  4. 4

    • 1. Introduction to In-Depth Interviews

    • 2. Interview Planning

    • 3. How to Craft an Interview Protocol

    • 4. Interview Tips & Tricks

    • 5. Tools & Tech

    • BONUS: Outwitly's Interview Planning Blueprint
  5. 5

    • 1. Introduction to Observations

    • 2. AEIOU Framework

    • 3. Observation Planning

    • 4. How to Build a Field Kit

    • 5. Observation Tips & Tricks

    • 6. Tools & Tech

    • BONUS: Observation Fundamentals & Field Kit
  6. 6

    • 1. Introduction to Diary Studies

    • 2. How to Build a Diary Study

    • 3. Pre- and Post-Study Interviews

    • 4. Diary Study Tips & Tricks

    • 5. Participant Incentives

    • 6. Tools & Tech

    • BONUS: Dynamics of Diary Studies
  7. 7

    • 1. Introduction to Data Analysis & Synthesis

    • 2. Grounded Theory

    • 3. Data Analysis Tips & Tricks

    • 4. Develop Insights

    • 5. Tools & Tech

    • BONUS: Data Analysis (Dovetail)

    • BONUS: Data Analysis (Google Sheets)
  8. 8

    • 1. Introduction to Design Storytelling

    • 2. Co-Design & Feedback Workshops

    • 3. Insights Reporting

    • 4. Design Artifacts

    • 5. Design Storytelling Tips & Tricks

    • 6. Turning Insights into Action

    • BONUS: Communicating the Value of Design Research

    • BONUS Video: How to Convince Execs Design Research is Important



Bonus Course Materials

In addition to the Design Research Mastery lesson modules,
registered students will gain access to:

  • Complete Guide to
    Recruiting for Research

    ✓ Recruiting workbook & criteria worksheet
    ✓ 5 Copy-and-Paste Recruiting Scripts
    ✓ Sample Screening Questionnaire

    $1,200 Value

  • Signature Research
    Planning Bundle

    ✓ Research project planning checklist
    ✓ Sample research plan
    ✓ Sample project schedule

    $500 Value

  • Outwitly’s Interview
    Planning Blueprint

    ✓ Interview planning workbook & checklist
    ✓50 ready-to-use interview questions
    ✓ Sample interview script & protocol

    $750 Value

  • Dynamics of
    Diary Studies

    ✓ Diary study checklist for onboarding and offboarding participants
    ✓ Edit-enabled diary study template

    $600 Value

  • Field Kit
    Fundamentals

    ✓ Observation field kit template
    ✓ What-to-bring checklist
    ✓ What-to-expect breakdown document

    $1000 Value

  • Communicating the
    Value of Design Research

    ✓ Bonus Masterclass: "Advocating for Design research"
    ✓ Guide to UX Maturity for organizations
    ✓ 8 steps to design research buy-in

    $1,500 Value


Master your craft.

Conduct design research like a leading industry expert.

SIGN ME UP

Testimonials

What Sara's past students have to say...

By far the most effective course out there for design research!

Khuyen F. | Service Designer

While I had experience with conducting research in my master's degree, I wanted to get an understanding of running research projects in a corporate setting. Sara's modules were filled with in-depth practical tips on planning and conducting research projects, as well as how to code and analyze data to create actionable insights for internal stakeholders. Each module was full of useful information and templates that I will continue to reference well into the future. This is by far the most effective course out there for design research!

Design Research Mastery is truly exceptional!

Mathieu A. | Service Design Consultant

Over the years, I’ve participated in many training programs and worked with countless consultants, coaches, and trainers, and this one stands out. Outwitly Academy's Design Research Mastery course is truly exceptional! It’s clear that a lot of time and effort went into distilling all that knowledge, wisdom, and experience into the content. This course is excellent, and I appreciate the depth and practical insights provided. If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of design research, this course is the best investment you can make in your career. Great job!

Design Research Mastery is hands down the best investment I've made in my design career to date.

Yasmin B. | Service Designer

Design Research Mastery is hands down the best investment I've made in my design career to date. Sara's expertise and years of experience are palpable in her hyper-detailed, thorough, yet still digestible and accessible detailing of (literally) everything you need to know to conduct and lead large-scale research projects. This course is honestly worth so much more than the current price tag . It is everything you wish you'd been taught in school and so much more.

I got a UX job!

Jackie T. | Industrial Designer

Thank you so much for everything you taught me, because of your guidance on my team's project I got a UX job!

Outwitly Academy was just the right place for me

Mustapha A. | Design Researcher

Being new to design research, I was looking for a course that would help me develop a solid understanding of research. Outwitly Academy was just the right place for me. Eight weeks into this course and I am confident I have a great overall understanding of the craft. The modules were clear and to the point. Sara was always available to answer any questions. This course brings real-life professional examples to the table as well as useful templates that I will use in my future endeavours. For someone looking to advance their career in design research, I’m glad to have taken this course.

Design Research Mastery was a tremendous complement to my years of experience in design.

Talia K. | Creative Lead

Outwitly Academy’s Design Research Mastery was a tremendous complement to my years of experience in design. It has kept my skills current in an ever evolving field and improved my ability to translate insights from research into the experience of clients and users through human centred design. The course format and pacing was able to adapt to my busy professional life driven by deadlines and client expectations. I would recommend this course to professionals who require flexibility to suit their schedule when looking to expand their knowledge and skills in design.

Thank you so much again for an incredible course.

Shiva M.
Program Graduate

I can't begin to tell you how much I learned from your class and how much I enjoyed all that we did. I wish we had more time to work with you and learn from you but I'm so thankful for the few months we had together and all we were able to do and learn!

Thanks for making online learning feel valuable and intuitive!

Justin L.

Thank you for a fantastic course. I am really happy with what I was able to get out of this course and will absolutely be looking into ways to further strengthen my UX/UI skills moving forward.

Generating insights has never been more satisfying.

Inioluwa O. | Product Designer

Sara’s course is very well structured and fluidly guided me through the steps of UX research in a very clear and understandable way. I especially liked the assignments and activities which helped me to better understand concepts. The best part of this course for me is how useful my learnings about design research were outside of UX. What I learned in the course really helped to carry me through my research for my capstone project in school. Generating insights has never been more satisfying. Thank you so much Sara for nurturing my interest in UX/UI, while allowing me to enjoy research!

Sara was able to masterfully convey the core concepts of design research.

Camryn O. | Product Development Intern

As a student looking to learn more about user experience design, I feel that I gained so much value from this course—not only from the excellent examples of design tools and techniques— but also from the way Sara was able to masterfully convey the core concepts of design research. I truly enjoyed the course content, which was structured in a way that allowed you to immediately apply the learnings in a challenging and engaging way. Sara’s constructive feedback was also very insightful, and by the end of the course, I felt much more confident in my design research skills.

Sara's students have landed these roles:

  • ✱ UX Designer at Amazon

  • ✱ Senior UX Designer at Rogers Communications

  • ✱ Associate Design Director at McKinsey & Company

  • ✱ Director of Digital Services for The Government of Canada

  • ✱ Product Designer and UX Designer at BlackBerry

Sara Fortier's client list has included:

Pricing

  • Your registration comes with over $5500 worth of bonus materials.

  • Take full advantage of practical worksheets, samples, templates, checklists and a Master Class on Gaining Executive Buy-in!

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I was just hired as a junior UX researcher. Is this course right for me?

    100%, yes. Design Research Mastery includes foundational knowledge and context for subject matter that might be new to you, AND it includes more advanced strategies to give you an edge as you gain experience.

  • I’m an experienced service designer, and I’ve been executing end-to-end design research projects for my clients for several years. Will this course tell me anything I don’t already know?

    Simply put, yes! Sara created this course with intermediate and advanced professionals in mind. Design Research Mastery’s curriculum features guidance on avoiding common pitfalls that even the most experienced practitioners run into, and it dives into techniques for effective storytelling that will help you present your insights and findings to stakeholders with added flair.

  • Which tools and programs are required?

    We kept it nice and simple in the tech department for Design Research Mastery! You can connect to the course platform on any device with an internet connection. We recommend using a laptop, tablet or desktop monitor to view the lecture slides.

  • What if my entire team wants to enroll in this course together?

    Reach out to us at [email protected] to see how we can help!

  • What if I’m not satisfied with the course?

    If you’ve tried out the course and it didn’t provide you with the value you were looking for, you have the opportunity to request a full refund. Your refund request must be sent through with a valid receipt within 30 days of your purchase. To qualify for a refund, you’ll need to complete at least 75% of the course modules.

  • How long will it take to complete the Design Research Mastery course?

    If you dedicate a few hours per week to watching the lectures and completing all of the worksheets, we estimate that you’ll complete the course in 8 weeks. Of course, everyone’s schedule is different, so do what works best for you!