Hey Jordan here, one of the creators. Thanks for the feedback and questions!
On using Zoom for user testing, I think that's down to having to do remote research. I actually just did some tests over Zoom last week: had a call, had the user run through certain tasks while they screen shared, and chatted with them. It worked decently well for not being able to be there in person with them.
Totally agree that the web should be an interconnected place that builds off of itself!
These can definitely be used as a reference, but our aim is to also make them useful (for mostly younger designers) as a way to practice skills/methods. Project-based learning is very effective and this gives people a way to do that. It's not as good as learning on a real job with real data/requirements/etc, but the idea is that you can at least get some exposure to practicing some crucial skills.
There are LOTS of other countries represented in the survey, I'd suggest downloading the raw data to check it out (it's free).
I know what you're saying, and I think this is why lots of people are abandoning personas in favor of things like JTBD. But I think personas (or something similar) can be useful for those other parts of the process, especially if they're based in research and aren't "imaginary".
For example, thinking about how a particular user flow would work for a specific relevant persona/JTBD is useful for design decision making. It helps you see things from a user archetype's eye, rather than through your own designer eyes or through the eyes of "the user" which isn't specific or helpful.
This is all assuming, of course, that you're building personas correctly, which in my experience is rarely done.
Agree. Good tools like personas, JTBD, or whatever are a result of well-done research, not assumptions. As soon as assumptions enter the mix, the tool (and therefore decision-making) is biased and will give you the wrong information.
This is a side project I’ve been working on for the last couple months and I’m finally launching it today. I’d be happy to hear your feedback on the concept and the templates themselves.
Thanks iamshs! I'm not sure how long it took me, haha. Been working on it here and there for a few weeks, then just got it all finished this past weekend.