groundwork for research
Before diving into research, we met with the founder to align on goals and clarify what we needed to learn
We narrowed things down to a few key questions to guide us:
Who are our members, and how did they find us?
What is the experience of our members with us? Is there something we can improve?
Are there any challenges that designers currently face in their UX design career?
What type of support are they looking for? What do they value most in UX design communities in general?
surveys
We began by conducting a survey to collect quantitative data and reach a larger number of users, which helped us identify trends and inform our next steps
We ran two separate surveys and gathered a total of 53 responses – 24 from existing members and 29 from potential members. We reached out to current members through the community’s Discord channel and connected with potential members on LinkedIn.
1
Existing members are more focused on improving portfolios, closing skill gaps, and seeking mentorship while also dealing with impostor syndrome.
2
Potential members are primarily looking for ways to gain real-world experience and expand their networks.
interviews
At the end of our surveys, we invited participants to leave their contact info if they were open to further conversation
We interviewed 8 people in total – 5 current members and 3 potential members. To guide our conversations, we created a set of general questions for everyone, along with a few tailored ones depending on whether the person was already part of Her UX Path or haven’t heard about us yet.
Analysis process
From the synthesis, three key themes emerged, highlighting what designers value most and where they face the biggest challenges
1
People want more personal connections.
Job-focused conversations aren’t enough. People value casual chats, one-on-one meetups, and spaces to talk about shared struggles.
2
Learning feels overwhelming without guidance.
Many don’t know where to start or what to focus on. A clear, step-by-step path would help beginners and those without mentors feel more confident.
3
Job searching feels discouraging and confusing.
Members are facing unrealistic job expectations, tough competition, and unclear next steps. They’re looking for more support to gain experience and move forward.
RESULTs
Our research sparked immediate change and inspiration for both leadership and the community
After our presentation, the founder said our research “blew her mind” and gave her clarity on what users want, sparking new ideas and goals. Later that day she shared: “Also – we just had a call that confirms a lot of what y'all are saying.”
A workshop attendee shared: “This was more than a workshop. This was a community. I entered the Zoom call expecting to learn how to deal with Impostor Syndrome, and I walked away with so much more… a list of people I’d like to connect with, and keep sharing our stories. None of us are alone in this struggle.”
One of the researchers from our team extended the project by launching a Designer Roadmap – a step-by-step guide with curated resources (links, articles, etc.) to help members navigate the design process more easily.
The roadmap created by designer Thea Hines
Reflection
This project was a reminder of how quickly thoughtful research can translate into real impact. It immediately confirmed the power of listening to community voices – not only to guide strategy, but also to create spaces that foster connection, growth, and belonging.