Last week in class, we focused on creating effective surveys and how they play a crucial role in UX research. Revisiting survey design brought back memories of a previous course I took on Front End Analysis and Needs Assessment. In that course, we spent several weeks honing the skill of writing clear, purposeful survey questions and testing them on real users. It was through this experience that I first realized the depth of thought required for effective survey design, and how different question types can elicit distinct kinds of information.

One of the projects from that course involved assessing the navigation experience on the GoodReads website. We crafted surveys and combined them with usability tests to gather user feedback on the site’s navigation. By understanding the users’ frustrations and emotional responses, we were able to suggest actionable improvements that addressed real pain points. It was a valuable lesson in how surveys, when designed well, can uncover insights that are often missed through observation alone.

Surveys are a tool I know I’ll continue to rely on throughout my design journey. They offer a scalable way to gather information from diverse user groups. However, their success depends on careful, thoughtful design — small nuances in phrasing or structure can dramatically affect the quality of responses. As I move forward in my UX studies, I’m excited to keep refining this skill, ensuring my surveys are not only efficient but truly reflective of user needs.