Design Research
Thoughtful design research is about understanding people, systems, and constraints deeply enough to design with confidence and intent. My work draws on a range of research methods such as journey mapping, service design workshops, ethnographic studies, remote and in-person testing to uncover real needs, validate assumptions, and inform decisions throughout the design process.
Examples
The following examples highlight my commitment to well-researched design solutions. They reflect how I use design research methods and artifacts to ground decisions in real user needs, validate assumptions, and guide design across complex systems. Click on them to view them larger.
These sessions were part of a Maintenance Customer Advisory Board that I founded and facilitated, grounded in a philosophy of designing with users, not just for them. I hosted 10+ in-person workshops with 100% on-site participation from representatives across 17 airlines worldwide. Workshops were hosted in Seattle and at airline offices. Together, we worked through journey and process mapping, pain point identification, design reviews, hands-on testing with maintenance staff, and more, ensuring solutions were shaped collaboratively by the people operating within complex, real-world maintenance environments.
Building products with customers, not just for them.
“Aryk... is a highly capable facilitator; l’ve co-facilitated product and service design workshops with him where his insight and presence were integral to their success. Aryk brings momentum, clarity, and humanity to the work, and any team that brings him on will be better for it.”