discoverDesign Track

User & Client Interviews

Interview clients and users to uncover real needs and impacts beyond functional requirements.

Purpose

Collect insights from both clients (strategic goals, risks) and users (daily tasks, accessibility). Surface functional needs as well as social and ecological impacts to guide responsible design.

Preparation

  1. 1

    Prepared interview questions

  2. 2

    Understanding of project context

  3. 3

    Notebook or template for capturing responses

Templates

Figma Template

How to Use This Method

1

Prepare Questions

Write 3–5 open-ended questions covering functional, social, and ecological aspects.

2

Identify Interviewee Type

Adapt questions for clients (goals, risks) or users (tasks, pains, accessibility).

3

Run the Interview

Interview one person at a time. Let them speak freely and avoid yes/no questions.

4

Capture Responses

Take notes on answers, examples, and non-verbal cues.

5

Summarize Findings

Review notes as a team and extract key insights and sustainability considerations.

Tips & Tricks

Start with 'Tell me about…' instead of yes/no questions.

Let interviewees talk 80% of the time.

Ask follow-ups like 'Can you give an example?'

Check if notes capture both people and planet impacts.

For clients: focus on long-term goals and risks.

For users: focus on routines, frustrations, accessibility.

Start with 'Tell me about…' instead of yes/no questions.

Let interviewees talk 80% of the time.

Ask follow-ups like 'Can you give an example?'

Check if notes capture both people and planet impacts.

For clients: focus on long-term goals and risks.

For users: focus on routines, frustrations, accessibility.

Start with 'Tell me about…' instead of yes/no questions.

Let interviewees talk 80% of the time.

Ask follow-ups like 'Can you give an example?'

Check if notes capture both people and planet impacts.

For clients: focus on long-term goals and risks.

For users: focus on routines, frustrations, accessibility.

AI Prompts

Prompt 1

I am preparing an interview about [project]. Suggest 5–7 open-ended questions covering functional, social, and ecological aspects.

Prompt 2

I am interviewing a [client/user] about [project]. Suggest polite follow-up questions to get richer insights when answers are vague.

Prompt 3

Here are my raw interview notes: [paste notes]. Summarize insights into three categories: functional needs, social impacts, ecological impacts.

Prompt 4

Based on these findings: [paste summary], suggest areas to explore further to address sustainability in the design.