Shows
Awkward Silences#128 - The Value of “Scrappy” Research with Varun Murugesan, Co-Founder of Apple and BananaWhat does good “scrappy” user research look like?According to Varun Murugesan, Co-founder of Apple and Banana,“You could throw anything at Jason Bourne and he would solve it... Would it be effective? [Yes—and] that's what I think about. I don't need all the fanciest tools or software.”Being good at scrappy user research is like being the Jason Bourne of research: being effective with what you have, even if you’re shot down by a tight research budget or limited in bandwidth.Varun joins Erin and JH to discuss his...2023-06-0740 minAwkward Silences#121 - The UX files: Top Moments from YouX 2023YouX 2023 is a wrap! No big deal, just us and 3500 other UX-obsessed friends. The half-day virtual event featured breakout sessions and presentations conducted by some of the brightest minds in UX, who covered a number of topics from personal wellness and professional growth to work-life balance and community. We’d like to thank everyone who attended the event, especially our guest speakers, panelists, and moderators. It was a truly extraordinary YouXperience for everyone. Head over to our blog to get a full recap of the 2023 YouX conference and videos of the sessions—we clipped all the awkward silen...2023-03-2235 min
Understanding Users: The UX Podcast29. The User Research Start-up Founder - Varun Murugesan @ Apple and Banana"I always say [to my clients] let's research together. I've never seen impactful research done in a silo or in a vacuum...So I say let's face it together. I have multiple strategies to get stakeholders involved. The closer they get to that direct research process I have found, the more value everyone gets and the minute you get them into the process and that lightbulb goes off: 'Okay, why in the heck are we not talking to people? Why are we not already doing this as a regular part of our product DNA?', then the next time you w...2022-11-2250 min
The Way of Product with Caden Damiano90 - “Unpacking the Dedicated UX Research Role” - Varun Murugesan, Cofounder of Apple & BananaI have personally never worked in a company with a dedicated UX researcher, so I reached out to, Varun Murugesan, one of the contributors to UX Research publication Apple & Banana, to learn how to properly utilize a full-time research role in a design org. Connect with Varun: https://www.linkedin.com/in/varunsmurugesan/ Check out Apple & Banana's new book.If you get any value out of this show, or if it has helped you in any way, please subscribe to “Thinking Out Loud About Design” for free to get the distilled learnings on being a staf...2022-06-1351 min
Brave UX with Brendan Jarvis 🇺🇦Varun Murugesan - Becoming a Fruitful UX ResearcherVarun Murugesan thoughtfully unpacks the highs and lows of UX research, and tells us why it’s important to be a fruitful researcher. This episode includes:
How has Karate shaped Varun’s UX research practice?
What three methods are essential for UX researchers to master?
How do you know when you’ve done enough research?
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Who is Varun Murugesan?
By day, Varun is an Associate Research Manager at Best Buy, one of the world’s largest retailers of consumer electronics. By night he is the Co-Founder and Head of Research...2021-06-281h 07
The Drunken UX PodcastUnderstanding the Value of User Research w/ special guest Varun MurugesanDo you make data driven decisions? Most web developers build websites with a combination of instinct, and relying on conventions established by other researchers. But truly proprietary, 1st party research on your sites and tools...2021-05-1059 minThe Drunken UX PodcastUnderstanding the Value of User Research w/ special guest Varun MurugesanDo you make data driven decisions? Most web developers build websites with a combination of instinct, and relying on conventions established by other researchers. But truly proprietary, 1st party research on your sites and tools can provide a competitive advantage far beyond other metrics. Varun Murugesan from Apple & Banana joins us in this episode to talk about why UX research matters, and how you can tackle a seemingly daunting task with simple approaches.
Followup Resources
Apple & BananaComplete Beginner’s Guide to UX ResearchCreating A User Research Plan (with Examples)User Experience is Everyone’s ResponsibilityThe UX Rese...2021-05-1059 min
The Iowa Idea Podcast81. VarunThe Iowa Idea: Varun
“It happens all the time.”
In this episode of The Iowa Idea Podcast, I’m joined by researcher, entrepreneur and author Varun Murugesan. Varun is cofounder and Head of Research at Apple & Banana where he believes that everyone can do fruitful research. Varun has spent his career immersed in psychology, technology and design at organizations like Facebook, Unitedhealth Group and Best Buy, along with rising startups across the country. When he’s not sharing perspectives, collaborations and applications of fruitful research, he can be seen teaching his dog how to roll over, goi...2021-04-1953 min
Cells and PixelsDemocratizing UXR, Varun Murugesan – Head of Research, Apple & Banana (BestBuy, ex-Facebook)What a inspiring chat with Varun from Apple and Banana. We talked about his journey from healthcare to UXR, how research can be included in your product development, from small to large organizations and some of his plans for the fruitful research approach book.
Cells and Pixels, now every first Tuesday of the month!
Apple and Banana website: www.appleandbanana.org
#appleandbanana #bestbuy #facebook #uxresearch
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This episode is sponsored by
· Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cellsandpixels/support2021-04-1327 min