I help organizations make better decisions by gaining a deeper understanding of the people they intend to serve.
I help teams identify what type of information they need in order to take action. I provide support with:
developing a research strategy,
conducting the research and
organizing the findings in clear and actionable ways.
I help answer overarching questions such as:
“What are people looking for in a mental health app?”
“What type of systems would help rural childcare operator experience less staff shortage?”
“How do people feel about a dog-walking app that includes virtual puppy dates?”
“What is the most effective starting point to engage policy-makers in dialogue regarding environmental issues?"
“What were churned customers actually looking for when they initially signed up for our virtual marathon?”
Data collection methods I use includes:
in-depth interviews,
surveys,
diary studies,
artifacts analysis,
and more.
I make sense of this data by identifying recurring themes and clusters of themes. Such thematic analysis allows me to provide answers to the research questions the team started with (e.g., what are patients most worried about) and also surfaces knowledge we didn’t know we were looking for (e.g., hum, look at that, when we ask about data usage, many people start talking about battery use…).
I report back on those findings in a clear and concise way that focuses on guiding your team’s next actions. Report back always includes quotes (or other artifacts) that anchor our analysis in the words of the participants. They can take the form of:
a written or verbal report,
a presentation deck,
a journey map,
a service ecosystem,
a set of archetypes or personas…
Whatever format makes the most sense for your budget, time constraints, and informational needs (and learning styles) of your designers and decision-makers.
If your team could use some support learning more about the people you intend to serve, get in touch.
Testimonials
“Sam received direction swiftly, was able to ask the right questions, and was keen on almost over-involving our design teams in the process to make sure we got what we needed from her in the process. Her friendly demeanour makes it very easy to work with her, making her a great cultural fit with our energetic team, whilst never compromising on the quality of insights we were expected to deliver to our joint client. Sam worked well under pressure and was always focused to the task at hand. Always looking forward to working with her again and definitely recommended for any design task.”
Andreas Pattichis
Design Director & Partner, Hellon
“Sam is a wonderful collaborator and researcher! She brings deep skills in qualitative design, leveraging her background in psychology and community work. Sam's ethics and sensitivity shone in a complex project working with a vulnerable population with mental health needs, and I was blown away by her reflective and creative approach to research. In addition, Sam is collaborative, flexible, patient and best of all, FUN to work with.”
Linn Vizard
Principal, Made Manifest
“Sam's thoughtful design skills were a tremendous asset for some high-profile client projects including for the World Health Organization. With a balance of clear communication up-front, sharp analysis of the issues, great pacing of projects and timelines, and well-executed deliverables - it makes our collaborations a real joy.”
Sam Bradd
Principal, Drawing Change
“I highly recommend Sam for her creativity, efficiency, attentive listening, flexibility and human-centered approach to design. Her judicious use of simple and user-friendly technological tools reflects her commitment to client-oriented solutions. Her joyful spirit of collaboration and bilingualism enhanced our work together. I had full confidence in meeting our timeline with excellent deliverables, adapted to my team's specific needs, as we had fluid and straightforward communications throughout our project together.”
Emilie White
Digital Communications Officer
McConnell Foundation
“Sam’s diligence, enthusiasm and commitment to her work is remarkable, as is her ability to work with various stakeholders through financial and time constraints. I can highly recommend Sam for her strategic thinking and generative, proactive approach to design research. She is a true lateral thinker who would be an asset on any project, including the development of grant proposals and connecting with potential partners.”
Katherine Gillieson
Associate Professor
Emily Carr University of Art + Design
