articles

Fieldwork in Japan often looks straightforward on paper, but projects can quietly lose quality through mistranslated stimuli, over-tight recruitment criteria, or session designs that ignore local communication patterns. Executing high-quality user research in Japan requires careful planning and awareness of local operational and cultural factors. This guide outlines our proven workflow across three phases:  Pre-Fieldwork Preparation […]

One-on-one in-depth user interviews may be the bread and butter of many UX researchers, but group interviews and workshops create a unique opportunity of observable collaboration, negotiation, and debate. When facilitated well, these sessions become living laboratories where one person’s idea can collide or react with another’s, creating new and unexpected findings. The key is to use group interaction itself as a source of data. Achieving this requires a thoughtful […]

We at Uism pride ourselves in our curiosity. No place is that better exemplified than in the connections we strive to make with a wide variety of people, and expand our knowledge and understanding. These Chance Chats are an opportunity to share what we’ve learned from the people we’ve come across, especially the kind of people who would be difficult to connect with and have the chance for an in-depth […]

As generative AI tools like ChatGPT redefine how we interact with machines, it’s more important than ever to ask: Are the foundational principles of UX in AI still relevant? And how should they evolve?  That question sits at the heart of this article.  AI’s Vicious Cycle  Even at its early stages, AI’s potential capability has […]

Did you know that Rock, Paper, Scissors (yes, that universal game we all played as kids), actually comes from Japan?  In Japanese, it’s called jan-ken, and while the basic rules are the same, its role in everyday life is far more embedded in the culture than in most Western countries. In Japan, jan-ken isn’t just […]

Gifts are often thought of as a sign of connection and appreciation. No place is that more clear than here in Japan. The culture around gift giving in Japan is very robust, and very unique. For businesses trying to succeed in Japan, it is best to understand the nuances behind the gift culture and the […]

For me, the December holiday season is a time of merriment, exchanging of gifts, and spending time with family. Christmas, and the month or so leading up to it was heralded by the Black Friday (and Cyber Monday) sales, a scramble to find every gift on my family’s list, hanging decorations, singing carols, watching the […]

To many cultures, ringing in the new year is a time of utmost importance and celebration, and Japan is no different. In December, typical goodbyes are replaced with よいお年を! (yoi otoshi wo, “have a good year”) and my phone is abuzz right at the strike of midnight with messages saying 明けましておめでとうございます (akemashite omedetougozaimasu, “congratulations for […]

With advancements in medical technology and better access to food and shelter in a globalized market economy, people around the world are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. According to the World Health Organization, the global average for life expectancy has surpassed 70 years, compared to an average just under 47 back in 1950.1 […]

When a new concept is being developed, verifying its acceptability is a vital challenge for any company. When hearing UX research, most people immediately think of qualitative research, and only that. At Uism however, we have abundant experience in both qualitative and quantitative research. From our wealth of experience and know-how, we can provide concept […]