As part of our growth strategy for the next year, People for Research have partnered up with u.exe, Exeter’s first user experience viewing and testing facility, and co-working hub The Generator. You can now meet with one of our team members based in Exeter to discuss your user recruitment projects and needs, or run your sessions at the new u.exe space through PFR.

Exeter being “a thriving hub for modern industry, with key business, innovation and educational centres such as the Met Office, Exeter Science Park and the University of Exeter based in the city” – as described by co-founder Helen Leslie –, we felt like it was time to head south and establish a partnership with a local team.

We asked our partners at u.exe to share a bit about the space and their mission to offer a “purpose-built, intelligently designed user experience lab” as the best way of optimising the value gained from user research sessions. “Until now, South West businesses have not been able to access dedicated facilities without travelling to Bristol or beyond,” the u.exe team said, mentioning People for Research’s own viewing facility based in central Bristol – User Viewing.

About u.exe  📣  Helen Leslie

Based on Exeter’s glorious Quayside, u.exe is the city’s first and only user experience test facility, founded by Helen and Darren Hunt, who have over 20 years’ experience in UX/UI design and website content creation. Located in the historic King’s Wharf building, this professional space offers a panoramic view over the water and quayside with space for approximately eight people, enabling clients to have an enjoyable and productive day.

Companies can now hire the testing and observation space equipped to support both mobile and web interfaces, as well as non-screen-based activities such as card sorting or mobile testing. Desktop testing is available on both Mac and PC systems so the clients can choose their preferred platform, and mobile testing is available on both Apple and Android phones and tablets.

At u.exe, testing room activity is recorded via a number of visual and audio inputs. Two high-definition (HD) cameras record the room: one being a fixed pan, tilt, zoom (PTZ) camera, and the other a movable tripod camera, allowing flexibility regarding where/what is captured. Further feeds come from the computer screen and the HD webcam, so up to five feeds are available.

When testing mobile devices, the on-screen activity is also recorded directly from the smartphone through the recording system. Audio is recorded via a tabletop microphone, which is also suitable for podcasting/vloggers.

All testing room outputs are routed through a professional one-touch recording system with recording backup and live streaming functionality. The output is controllable via an iPad and app, giving the client control of how the feeds are viewed in the observation room. Live streaming is also available for remote viewing, if required.

The HD video feeds are displayed on a 55” TV screen in the observation room. Audio is played via a bluetooth sound bar so the testing room can be both observed and heard. A ‘push-to-talk’ system allows communication between client and facilitator across both rooms. Clients in the observation room can use the remote-control joystick system to operate the testing room’s PTZ camera.

The system is user-friendly and simple to control and record. Ease of use and flexibility were important considerations, which we have endeavoured to build into the lab.

Partnership with PFR

u.exe is conveniently located in central Exeter, with easy access to rail and road networks, parking and overnight accommodation, and able to welcome companies of all industries and sizes from around the UK. A wide variety of cafes, shops and restaurants are situated on the quay or, alternatively, the team are happy to organise catering upon request.

“u.exe is proud to be partnered with Exeter’s The Generator co-working hub and People for Research,” co-founder Helen Leslie said. PFR are equally glad to team up with these two organisations and be able to expand our presence in the south of the country, adding to the growth of our main office and team based in Bristol and to our office in London.

To find out more, you can get in touch with Helen and Darren about u.exe and The Generator via contact@u-exe.com or space@the-generator.org, or alternatively email info@peopleforresearch.co.uk and we’ll be able to answer your questions about this partnership and how you can make the most of these facilities.

All contact details for our offices in Bristol, London and Exeter can be found on our website here.

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.