With 2016 finally done and dusted, it’s time to look straight ahead. And, when it comes to user experience (UX) and usability testing, 2017 is looking like an exciting time to develop, research and test new technology and software.

From chatty machines to a wider range of accessible products, we cover the top four usability testing trends that will be the talk of the town in 2017.

🤖 Testing new products and innovative technology

We all know chatbots were all the rage last year, and their popularity is likely to increase as artificial intelligence (AI) develops even further. Of course, there is no way to find out if a chatbot is suitably working without proper testing, unless you can afford a scandal similar to the one that affected Microsoft in mid-2016, when their “teen girl” AI system – Tay – turned into a really inconvenient and inappropriate source of tweets after 24 hours live on the social media platform.

But chatbots are not the only hot trend in 2017 and in the years to come. Mobile testing is likely to keep growing as more people spend time online on their phones, tablets and wearable devices. Also, with new technology being developed at a hallucinating rate, more failure user flows will be needed to accommodate less confident tech users interested in taking on new challenges. Overall, the focus is on progressively inclusive user experience (UX) and usability processes.

And let’s not forget innovative products and software like drones, virtual reality and connected devices, which will surely become more popular as the year progresses.

🤖 New events around user research and usability testing

Although the number of events focusing on user experience design and usability is growing rapidly, as well as their quality, there aren’t a lot of events exclusively focusing on topics like user research and UX / usability testing. 2017, however, brings great news!

The conference ‘User Research London’ will happen, for the first time, on 16th June 2017 and People for Research will not only be sponsoring, but our Director of Project Jess Lewes will be on stage to talk about specialist recruitment of participants for UX and usability testing and research.

If you’ve heard about any other UK events focusing on research and testing, let us know!

🤖 Accessibility will be more important than ever

2016 was the year of digital inclusion at People for Research. We launched our ‘Make The Web Accessible’ campaign, recently featured in the media, and got the industry talking about the importance of adding an accessibility element to all usability testing. At People for Research, we hope digital inclusion never stops being a growing trend.

🤖 Usability testing is getting more innovative and creative

The list of new exciting stuff in user experience and usability testing doesn’t stop with eye-tracking software or remote streaming. The latter has been a key feature at User Viewing, our usability testing and viewing facility in central Bristol, since we launched. However, 2017 will surely bring exciting new ways to make research and testing even more productive.

At User Viewing, for instance, we plan to keep working closely with clients to improve live streaming, welcoming their suggestions. We have also upgraded sound quality at our viewing facility and are about to implement an exciting new technology: a camera that the client can operate remotely from an iPad in a different room at our facility, allowing them to choose a specific angle or focus on the details that are more relevant for them during the session.

“There are a lot of exciting new plans that will be introduced in 2017, including a new remotely operated camera that can be used during research sessions, as we continue our aim and philosophy of making User Viewing one of the best in a very competitive industry,” said Owain Johns, the Studio Manager.

“We are really looking forward to the year ahead at User Viewing. This is a part of the business we are constantly looking to grow to provide a top-quality research viewing experience in Bristol, for clients and participants alike. We are hopeful at being able to introduce a lot of innovative and interesting offers throughout the year – for new clients and old friends – so watch this space,” Owain added.

If you would like to find out more about our in-house participant recruitment service for user testing or market research get in touch on 0117 921 0008 or info@peopleforresearch.co.uk.

At People for Research, we recruit participants for UX and usability testing and market research. We work with award winning UX agencies across the UK and partner up with a number of end clients who are leading the way with in-house user experience and insight.