Your best UX friend

Have you ever encountered someone who complains about everything and anything? I am sure you have. After listening to them for a few minutes, it becomes obvious that they are just trying to complain, but they are unable to resolve anything. Basically, they complain because they have nothing else to do for the next 10 minutes. I know, it is very irritating. These are the kinds of people who complain excessively. Complaints could result from a feeling of helplessness. What they may want is someone to listen to them and to assist them in solving the problem?

Here is the solution for them: do something about it. As an example, if you saw a terrible movie, then film a better film and upload it to YouTube. You can simply write your own song and post it on SoundCloud if you do not like a song you hear. If you complain about the usability of a product, and deaf people cannot use it, then make it so that deaf people can! Once you do it and word gets out, you'll be a millionaire! How can you complain about that?

It is a fact that people who are busy making the world a better place don't really have time to complain. During those 10 minutes that a complainer spent complaining, someone else was able to create something amazing! It takes a lot of effort to improve things, and those who are doing so do not complain.

And that's really the solution, isn't it? If you want things to be better, then YOU go out and make things better.

As a UX designer, complaints are what keep me employed. Since the more complaints you find in products, I listen to them, document them as research, and give them to those who have products they want to improve. They go ahead and use your complaints, and make a million dollars! However, maybe they would appreciate speaking with someone who is sincere about wanting to help.

Complainers are indeed valuable! Since they are making a difference in this world indirectly, and gain from it, they shouldn't feel bad about themselves and their surroundings. However, they do. Let's turn those pain points into positives!

My own experiences with things that I thought could be improved often led me to think of inventions I would like to create. But they take time! The creation of something takes so much time, and homebrew is the most time-consuming. It is a long and arduous process to smooth out every kink. Such as, right now along with all the UX articles I read and courses I've been taking in coding and UX, I've been doing 2 art projects with antiques that aren't really that valuable, but I'm transforming them into Steampunk art, and that's quite a job, especially with a violin, and you want to make it seem at least that it could convincingly work, even though it's just a decoration! I've been 3D printing missing violin pieces I need, and buying steampunk parts such as gears, and I'm trying to make gear tuning pegs. All of this is really fussy. Creating is a really long and deep thought process with a lot of planning. So I always appreciate the work people have done, and I am supportive!

An entrepreneur's best friend is the complainer! If they're chronic complainers, they might drive you nuts, but I'm saying they are really good for helping make your products much more usable and valuable! As soon as I'm finishing up my steampunk art pieces, I'm going to get some serious complainers to tear it apart and make me cry, and then I'll improve those pieces and see if the world wants to buy them. Or...I'll just put them in my hobby room and feel good about them.

A component of interviewing users is being enthralled by the people you are speaking with. The more I learn about you, the more I want to understand how you think. That's what interests me. Example: Diabetes is a broad topic, and what interests me might not be the topic the client wants, but part of that topic, diabetes itself is really interesting, but also the emotional issues people go through coping with diabetes. That would be equally interesting.

Being non-judgmental, whether positive or negative. This is a skill. The reason I do not mind complainers might be that I delete their angry tone and focus instead on the actual problem at hand. The person will open up more to you if you are fascinated by them throughout the conversation. They will feel good after speaking with you! Tell yourself: I am intrigued by everything that you have to say. Even if you are a notorious complainer, I am here to listen and take notes in order to help design the product in a manner you will enjoy! When you notice body language such as hesitation, you can ask the person about that, and this can further encourage the person to open up. I do not just want data, but I also want to be connected. You gain insight into their life immediately and are brought into all the circumstances they want to make you see. Your insights will be huge! Cheers!