We recently hosted our yearly usability testing bootcamp for our HCID students in The Interaction Lab, our dedicated UX consultancy and lab space. To start, we gave students a tour of the lab facilities, from the double-sided observation mirror to VR headsets and 3D scanning and volumetric capture equipment, so they could see the full range of tools available for user research.

The aim of the bootcamp was to let students work hands-on with usability testing in a realistic setting. 

Working from a brief, students wrote their own testing scripts and, in groups of three, rotated through all key roles in a usability session: researcher, observer, and participant. Experiencing each position firsthand gave students a well-rounded understanding of what makes an effective testing session. 

Role 1 – Researcher: 

As researchers, students learned how to put participants at ease, minimise cognitive load, and balance following a script while adapting to unexpected user behaviour to uncover meaningful insights.  

Role 2 – Observer:  

As observers, they experienced the importance of capturing key moments, synthesising findings, and how involving stakeholders directly in testing creates shared insights and a better understanding of user needs.  

Role 3 – Participant:  

Finally, stepping into the participant role helped them build empathy for users and recognise how small details can significantly impact the testing experience. 

Students jumped in right away, made great observations, and left the bootcamp with a better understanding of how usability testing works and how our lab facilities can support their research.