As New York Citys inaugural cat cafe that launched nine years ago, Meow Parlour isnt just a trendy spot for feline fanatics; its a haven dedicated to the well-being and adoption of its furry residents. Now in a new location on the Lower East Side of Manhattan designed by Sonya Lee Architect, the Meow Parlour offers a sanctuary where cats and humans come together to play, relax, and form lasting bonds.At the core of Meow Parlour is its mission to care for vulnerable cats. This non-profit organization provides a holistic approach to feline welfare. From intake and fostering to addressing behavioral and physical issues, every cat at receives comprehensive care. Their residents range from those with medical needs, including FIV-positive and diabetic felines, to those harder to adopt out, like black cats, three-legged wonders, and seniors, each finding a safe and loving environment within the cafes walls.Meow Parlours design is a whimsical wonderland, perfectly tailored for both cats and their human visitors. The lounge area is divided into two main sections, each brimming with charm and creativity. The front room features four large booths, connected by a network of portholes and shelf mazes. This setup allows cats to dart in and out, providing endless entertainment for visitors as they relax and enjoy the playful antics around them.Dominating one wall of the front lounge is a 10-foot-high climbing structure formed by white oak shelves spelling out MEOW. This cat-friendly installation serves as both an agility test and a lazy lounging spot for the cafes feline inhabitants.The second lounge space continues the whimsical theme with a large herringbone-patterned bookshelf wall. This multifunctional installation not only displays books and cat-related paraphernalia but also doubles as a climbing maze for the cats. Visitors can sit on alternating cubby benches, watching the cats frolic above and around them.A wooden tree stands at the center of the second lounge, its branches adorned with donor dedication leaves from supporters around the globe. This tree provides yet another climbing and resting spot for the cats, complete with hanging hammocks where they can lounge and observe the busy cafe below.Beyond its thoughtful, cat-inspired design, Meow Parlour offers a variety of programs throughout the week, from childrens play sessions and yoga with cats to large educational conferences like Cat Camp.Supporting the main lounges are rooms for veterinary visits, storage, and supplies. Enhanced ventilation systems ensure a healthy environment for both the cats and their two-legged visitors.No visit is complete without a trip to their retail space. Open shelves and playful wallcoverings showcase a variety of locally sourced, handmade cat toys, clothing, and souvenirs. Visitors can also enjoy delicious baked goods and beverages, all while seated in a cozy cafe area designed for comfort and relaxation.The storefront of Meow Parlour stands out with large block letters spelling MEOW. These letters serve a triple purpose: as signage, a play space for the cats, and a countertop display. Inside, a dedicated room offers a quiet retreat for cats needing isolation, ensuring every residents needs are met.Meow Parlour is located at 43 Essex Street on the Lower East Side of Manhattan between Grand and Hester. With limited space available, Meow Parlour recommends pre-booking visits via their website.For more information about Meow Parlour or how to support the work they do, visit meowparlour.com. To see more projects by Sonya Lee Architect, head to sonyaleearchitect.com.Photography by Hanna Grankvist.

The traditional standing desk is nothing new, with historical records indicating its use as early as the 1400s. Great minds like Leonardo da Vinci are said to have utilized something like it in his creative practice. But it wasnt until recent history that numerous studies revealed the health hazards associated with sedentary work lifestyles. The furniture industry was quick to respond with various designs, and the corresponding accoutrement, to encourage better habits. While effective, generations of derivative desk forms have fallen in line sharing ungainly proportions and banality, even through electrification. An exception to this unfortunate trend is Beflo whose Tenon Smart Adjustable Desk responds to these concerns with a fusion of Scandi-like aesthetics and ergonomics.With a minimalist silhouette and understated profile, Tenon can acclimate to a variety of interior decor styles just as it can accommodate users of varying stature. Its slight presence and petite build pack a visual punch harnessing the power of thinness, contrasting parts, and edge articulation. Users have responded exceptionally well to the Tenon Desks refined aesthetic and practical touches, says Beico Chiu, Founder and CEO of Beflo. The desks smooth, rounded edges and high-quality finish provide a sophisticated look that complements any office decor. These thoughtful design elements, while subtle, significantly enhance the overall user experience and satisfaction. Of note are attributes like the front profiles beveled edge, which creates visual interest through material connections while supporting wrist comfort when engaging in activity.Surface options include sustainably sourced oak or walnut woods in scratch- and spill-resistant gray, white, or oak finishes rather than opting for MDF or veneer a common alternative to real wood often found in many of todays products. That sense of quality construction and reliability is bolstered by a generous 15-year warranty. Complementing the topper are pairs of powder coated metal alloy legs in colorways from black to cashmere and cool gray to creamy white. Other details including the inset OLED display touch controls, built-in cord channel, and leg-integrated power cable conceal unsightly yet necessary components of a hard-wired workspace for no-fuss interfacing.Designed as a modular system, clients are capable of customizing their desk, nay, work environment with additional components as upgrades or replacements when needed while maintaining integration. This kit-of-parts includes privacy panels, laptop docking station, desk lamp, cable covers, laptop holder, headphone stand, and an optional Basalt monitor stand designed to mount directly to the desk frame.Tenons smart capabilities extend well beyond ergonomics as the desk is outfitted with a slew of connectivity options including built-in power outlets, USB-A and USB-C ports, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Whats more, smart sensors can discern the difference between when the desk is in use or if it bumps into anything when moving. And a subtle LED lighting system adds ambiance while providing visual cues reminding users to stand up if theyve been sitting too long.Beflos intuitive design is inimitable at the moment, demonstrating how empathy for the consumer facilitates meaningful product development. Extensive testing went into the development of the Tenon Desk to ensure it met high standards for quality and functionality with accessibility and sustainability as core principles in its design, Chiu adds. The team at Beflo is most proud of the advanced smart adjustment technology, which not only enhances user comfort and productivity, but also sets the Tenon Desk apart in the realm of ergonomic furniture. By prioritizing these aspects and pushing for the meaningful inclusion of technology, Tenon positions itself to positively impact and inspire myriad future workspace solutions.To explore more or shop all things Tenon, visit gobeflo.com.

As someone who likes to fall asleep listening to music and long running YouTube episodes, its not a hard sell to propose sound can play an essential part in inviting a restful nights sleep. The Seventy Five by Savoir takes that simple concept to an extreme, an entire sleep system incorporating Saviors N2 The Icon custom made bed, walnut sideboards, and an upholstered headboard with its very own pair of KEF Ci3160REFM-THX speakers and six KEF Kube 8b subwoofers integrated into it.The Seventy Five takes its name from the ideal number of beats per minute in a song that induces relaxation.Savoir says every Seventy Five bed requires more than 150 hours from skilled craftsmen to construct, and who are we to challenge such a claim noting this bed is practically a personal universe unto itself. The 10-panel headboard and base is custom upholstered in Kvadrat x Raf Simmons sustainably-sourced wool fabric, shaped into a gently curved cocoon designed to shelter sleepers from distracting noise while also creating a sense of privacy.Note, if the Seventy-Fives Kvadrat x Raf Simons Vanir 0773 upholstered fabric with a contrasting back in Kirkby Design Leaf II Natural K5125/25 isnt your favorite combination of color and texture, rest assured Savoir offers a variety of other natural fiber, velvet, leather, pattern, and print options. In addition, there are three other mattress and box spring base setups, as should be noting $115,000 is the Seventy-Fives ground floor starting price. Regardless of which model mattress is chosen, each is handmade in London from start to finish.Recognizing devices bedside are the rule rather than the exception, each headboard includes a small dark American Walnut shelf with integrated charging ports, features according to Savoir that subtly enhance the masculine elements of their bed.Each side of the curved headboard is hinged, allowing easy adjustments of the speakers.But the real kicker here are the two KEF Reference Series Ci3160REFM-THX speakers embedded within the headboard, an audiophile grade setup further enhanced by six KEF Kube 8b subwoofers discreetly hidden in the base of the bed. Thats practically powerful enough to induce sleep by the massaging presence of bass.For further information about the Savoir Seventy-Five x KEF bed, visit savoirbeds.com.

The following post is brought to you by Signature Kitchen Suite. Our partners are hand-picked by the Design Milk team because they represent the best in design.So, the adage says: a jack of all trades is a master of none. But this is not the case for luxury kitchen appliance brand Signature Kitchen Suite, whose True to Food approach is put into practice across a robust range of cooking categories with some models featuring multiple modalities to satisfy literal and aesthetic tastes. With a deep understanding that what we serve is just as important as how we prepare it, the brand has built its collections upon the core tenets of food integrity, innovation, and design. Consumers who value deftness across their kitchens, technological savvy, and overall composition can find exactly what theyre craving in the carefully curated Transitional and Professional Series.Well-roundedSalt, fat, acid, heat. From so few elements come near-limitless possibilities and myriad ways to whet ones appetite and your appliance should accommodate that. Of note is Signature Kitchen Suites industry-leading, worlds first 48-inch Dual-Fuel Pro Range featuring built-in sous vide an incredibly precise method of cooking food, which has been vacuum sealed and submerged in a water bath, at lower heats for longer times. Meats, fish, eggs, and vegetables are cooked to within one degree of your desired temperature yielding perfect doneness and a preservation of tenderness, natural juices, and aroma. In addition, plated meals showcase rich texture and bold color while retaining vital nutrients and flavors.Pressed for time? Try an alternative modality on the range like the induction cooktop, which offers equally accurate, steady heating on command for the perfect temper. Or consider the 48-inch Dual-Fuel Pro Range with Six Burners and Griddle for consistent, even results on things like pancakes and French toast. Additional accoutrement allowing for agility across the cooktop includes Ultra-High and Ultra-Low burners for incredible command of some serious BTUs to achieve a rapid boil or delicate simmer, respectively. And the units exclusive Smart Knobs keep time, linking with the users smartphone through Wi-Fi connectivity. Whats more, the ovens below share in the same versatility, accommodating your every passing fancy with the joy of traditional convection or Steam-Combi, a new modality that utilizes steam for preparing things like meats, fish, and bread.If the range doesnt suit your kitchen design, clients and home chefs alike may spread categories across multiple devices pairing appliances like the 30- or 36-inch Flex Induction Cooktop with the 30-inch Transitional Series Combi Wall Oven. It joins the flexible steam-assist convection oven, which is engineered to offer the benefits of sous vide cooking, with the convenience of a microwave to accommodate a variety of lifestyles and time constraints by cooking meals up to 20% faster using infrared technology. Options like Air Fry offer a healthy alternative to traditional frying while freeing space that might otherwise be taken up by a countertop appliance. The Signature Kitchen Suite Professional Microwave Speed Oven is my personal favorite with its versatile cooking modes and intuitive interface, and it redefines home cooking by delivering quick, precise, and user-friendly culinary experiences, says Nick Ritchie, executive chef for Signature Kitchen Suite. From replacing multiple appliances to teaching others to cook, its a time-saving and efficient tool for both novice and professional chefs.Cooking UnencumberedThe offerings illustrate how reliability and performance are inextricably linked to technological innovation. From being the first to incorporate sous vide into our pro ranges and range tops, to developing smart knobs with built-in timers, Signature Kitchen Suite has pioneered the integration of smart home technology into luxury appliances, says Mike OKeefe, head of sales for Signature Kitchen Suite.Whether a seasoned chef or refining your culinary chops, Signature Kitchen Suite invites you to utilize transformative technologies, like Gourmet AI available on the Transitional Series Wall Ovens paired with their ThinQ App, as a means to connect with cooking rituals on an even more intimate level. The ovens built-in camera allows Gourmet AI to identify ingredients through a food recognition system and enables the Auto Cook function to set the oven properly for an optimum end result. The camera also allows at-home chefs to monitor their dishes in real-time, take snapshots, and capture shareable time-lapse videos. Other thoughtful conveniences include InstaView, which uses a unique knock-twice feature to reveal an illuminated interior view in an effort to prevent heat loss while checking on the ovens contents.Tips + TricksAs Signature Kitchen Suite continues to expand their portfolio, so too do they grow their cooking resources and recipe library to provide new opportunities for a personalized culinary experience. Those interested in taking advantage of such opportunities may access media in an array of formats, from web articles to video content, the ThinQ App, Instagram posts, and YouTubechannel videos for step-by-step guidance clearly articulated through image and text.Users learn how to navigate an array of cooking modalities to command an impressive appliance performance for recipes like steam roasted salmon with griddled leeks and Meyer lemon butter sauce reaching the untapped flavor of fish with the Steam-Combi oven while vegetables enjoy even heat on the griddle and sauces simmer on ultra-low heat for an ideal infusion of flavor.Aesthetics for Every TasteJust as plating is an important part of the dining ritual, presentation is paramount in the kitchen composition. Signature Kitchen Suite offers two design series fashioned to fit a variety of preferences and architectural styles. The Professional Series embodies the restaurant-inspired, traditional stainless-steel finish accentuated by rounded handles and Smart Knobs. The Transitional Series takes a quieter approach to luxury with its satin stainless-steel finish, slim, straight handles, and touch screen functionality for a sleek surface rid of dials. Both series offer wall ovens, ranges, cooktops, dishwashers, refrigeration, and ventilation.The tendrils of innovation extend into aesthetics with features like the brands Signature Fit Flush Installation, complemented by GlideShut doors, for a dash of opulence to taste. The unveiling of Signature Kitchen Suites new Transitional Series is exciting for the design community. Im ecstatic to imagine how these cutting-edge appliances will enhance our designs and bring them in line with the latest trends, says April Collins, residential designer for The Cabinet Gallery and member of the Signature Kitchen Suite Design Collective. With built-in AI technology, these appliances offer intelligent options for todays luxury homeowners.To learn more about Signature Kitchen Suites new Transitional Series, its innovative technology, and the wealth of culinary knowledge made available to customers, visit signaturekitchensuite.com.

With the electrification of motor vehicles comes a rapid improvement to their technologies, creature comforts, and modern conveniences, but as the industry races into a new era of engineering it appears as though aesthetics have been left behind. Classic cars are far from banal showcasing genuine wood dashboards, fine natural leather upholstery, and brilliant metallic detailing encapsulated by handsome sculptural forms. Echoing this hand craft and machine artistry is SANAYI313 as they launch their Lounge Collection informed by the golden age of automotive design. The Istanbul-based interdisciplinary practice is as much a cultural institution as it is a diverse creative business whose modus is maximalist expressions through minimalist details.So it comes as no surprise that the studio found inspiration in an auto repair shop tucked away in the Maslak neighborhood where warehouse architecture litters one of Istanbuls first planned industrial zones. The products are the outcome of our daily-life encounters, a dialogue between the spirit and culture of this industrial zone and aesthetic beauty, says SANAYI313 creative director, Enis Karavil. Elements within the space are mirrored in the highly textural kit of parts employed to build each model. Hard-wearing materials including stainless steel, painted metal, maple burl veneer, leather, and glass come together for a series of equally functional and sculptural furniture pieces.The fine-tuned furnishings are a survey of bulky forms comprising distinctive designs: a lounge chair of two varieties, a daybed, a coffee table, a dining table, and side tables. Their simple forms and perfect proportions allow for clear articulation of material finish from grain to sheen. Whats more, the perception of each object is altered by its tactile and visual properties.The 14313 Lounge Chair in maple burl veneer has a formidable, monolithic presence as if chiseled from thick marble slabs, but becomes far more approachable when upholstered in leather for a cushioned feel and comfortable experience. Sharing in the suppleness of leather while juxtaposed with a maple burl veneer frame is the 19313 Daybed. The low-slung seating and prominent armrests add a sense of luxury to its simple silhouette.Slightly more complex is the plinth-like 33313 Coffee Table, which gives the impression of being formed from multiple blocks, is made entirely of maple burl veneer and can be styled or used in a variety of interior applications. The 21313 Dining Table is of an even grander scale featuring a rounded rectangular glazed tabletop with a stainless steel frame that rests atop two structural, cylindrical legs of the same finish. The studios signature tiered 07313 Twin Side Tables are also rethought, reworked, and realized in stainless steel to complement the fresh creative direction.SANAYI313 dignifies what some might call visual pollution in this homage to a bygone era of automotive prowess, supercharging spaces with a little more horsepower. For me, the ideal home is all about creating an environment that is an authentic expression of ones individuality. And I truly enjoy seeing our products in such environments, adds Karavil. Since our signature approach is to focus on refinement, perhaps the ideal client would be someone with an appreciation for the quality of exclusive creations.To shop this and other products from the studio visit sanayi313.com.

In the world of athletics, professional and weekend warriors alike learn that the recovery process is as crucial to peak performance as the training itself. Muscles need to warm up before workouts, and are ideally treated afterward to manage the wear and tear of pushing performance limits. Nike, in collaboration with Hyperice, is adding a pair of tools to the recovery game with two new tech-enabled wearables on the horizon the Nike x Hyperice Recovery Boot and Recovery Vest each designed to make athletes feel better and look and literally feel cool in the process.If you dont know Hyperice by name, you probably know of their technology in some form or another. The California-based brand has carved out a reputation as one of the most popular recovery technologists in the sports industry, a repute primarily built upon their percussion massage therapy tool, the HyperVolt 2 Pro, alongside other innovative methods to ease soreness and aid recovery.Hyperices design language across their entire catalog evokes what hoops fans know as Mamba mentality, the intense dont quit philosophy famously associated with the Laker icon, Kobe Bryant, perhaps no surprise considering the brand cites the late NBA star as an early adopter and collaborator.The boot is designed with built-in controls giving the wearer the ability to adjust the boots dynamic air compression treatment. Athletes can synchronize the heat and compression of both shoes with the press of a button, or choose to run the left and right shoes individually, selecting from three distinct levels of compression and heat powered by a battery pack in each shoes insole.The new Nike x Hyperice Recovery Boot sports the look of a Nike basketball sneaker, with an upper design somewhat reminiscent of the 2016 special edition Nike MAG Back to the Future, sneakers equipped with self-lacing technology. In the case of the new Recovery Boot, the therapeutic footwear has been outfitted with Hyperices Normatec technology, a series of dynamic air compression bladders that fill and empty to massage the feet and ankles while also applying heat. The reputed effect is a reduction in muscle soreness and improved circulation, while also keeping the fluid between muscles and tissues maximally lubricated.With the boot designed for legwork, the new Nike x Hyperice vest is tasked to work on the upper body using Hyperices thermal technology, a mechanism engineered to deliver localized heating and cooling. Its designed with a sleek fit ensuring a comfortable fit and maximum mobility while delivering therapeutic benefits. For anyone who runs hot during and after workouts, putting on the vest could help push endurance limits, while also promoting recovery without the hassle of ice or heat pads.Professional athletes like LeBron James have already been using these devices. From the moment I tried the Nike x Hyperice boots and vest while they were still in development more than a year ago, remarked James. I knew they were going to change the game for athletes warm-up and recovery.The Nike x Hyperice vest allows for instant heating and cooling, without the need for ice or liquid, to help athletes dial their body temperatures to their exact specifications during warmups and cooldowns.Interested? Alas, youll have to wait after this summer. Nike plans to first use these two recovery technologies at the Olympics in Paris before announcing availability and pricing for us mere mortals with aching muscles.Sign up to receive updates on the Nike x Hyperice releases here.This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase from an affiliate link, we earn a commission. Thanks for supporting Design Milk!

Figma AI tools: Im not worried about my job anytime soon based on what Isaw.The features are awesome but were far off from replacing designers. Thats coming from someone immersed in AI every day of theweek.I didnt attend Figma Config 2024 because I could catch up on it virtually, which I did after the fact. The thought of 14,000 designer types in the same place? Im sure theres a Groucho Marx quote somewhere in there about aclub.But Idigress.The Figma AI tools are interesting, and having used almost every application known to designerkind to wireframe (QuarkXpress, anyone?), I thought I could add the been there, done that perspective.My overall take: Im not worried about my job anytime soon, and thats coming from someone immersed in AI every day of theweek.Ive said this before, and Ill say it again: until someone can write a perfect product requirements document, designers are safe. There is so much nuance in developing some experiences that using AI seems quite a tall task, especially with existing applications where you have to modify work designed by imperfect humans.And enterprise? Goodluck!However, there is a quite of bit of usefulness to the features here (who else gets upset by seeing a Figma file that has frame 54831?) that will speed up the workflow of designers immensely and hopefully will make files much more understandable, but some features still seem liketoys.People often forget that designers are valued not for the artifacts they create but for how they align through storytelling and knowledge. Thats not about renaming layers or creating content, its about weaving a tale that generates value.I would pay for a feature like renaming layers. Credit toFigma.Renaming layersGrade: A-Renaming frames in Figma is an information architecture problemsomething that most designers have struggled with since Photoshop 3.0 introduced layers, bringing us to layer 0, layer 1, and layer 2something that plagues everyone in design when seeing frames 34541 and wondering what itmeans.And now Figma is at least attempting to fix this. Please, and thank you. Im sure theyll be missteps, but at least attempting it will make Figma a better application. This should greatly increase the usability and organization of most Figmafiles.It will also train designers to organize their files better when they see Figmas patterns.Generating visual and written content is a time saver. Credit toFigmaGenerating visual and writtencontentGrade: B+As I wrote in another blog post about generating fake data, it is a time-consuming task that most designers hate. If Figma can accurately generate data from previously entered content, I will throw a party. I will see prototypes with realistic content that accurately test designs so developers wont run into edgecases.When watching the video, I was also impressed with the translation features, but thats something my companys platform does today, so its not much of astretch.Additionally, having the image generation tools directly integrated into Figma is incredible. There are already plug-ins that do thisthink user profile photosbut having this built right in will provide a more integrated experience, and that Ilike.believe were a bit far off from generating new designs. Credit toFigma.Generating newdesignsGrade: C+How often do you generate a new website or application from the very beginning?Yes, I dont do that mucheither.Ive always encountered situations where an application design exists (poorly), and weve had to work around it and improve it slowly. That meant dealing with many imperfect flows and designs that had to be gradually improved, none of which AI can donow.Additionally, much of the design work happening now is very cookie-cutterthink the 3-panel marketing website that can be a copy-and-paste job, or using an existing table componentso it might render this tool as a toy for awhile.All of the examples I saw in the Figma Keynote were fancy tape recorder examplesapplications that already existso that doesnt have much usefulness in my world because were already designing features that pretty muchexist.As a tool to generate new ideas for analogous inspiration?Absolutely. I could see it as a way to explore concepts quickly, especially during design sprints. Designers too often get stuck in the rut of their existing design systems, so this could be a great application to explore newideas.Visual search is an idea thats always struggled. Credit toFigma.Visual searchGrade: CThis is what Open AI and similar tools do bestlook at existing content and find things so it should excel here. Figma has leveraged that.As a tool to look for variations of a screen will save an incredible amount of time, especially in environments where designers move fast and treat design artifacts like fast food. The current set of artifacts that we have to go through to find a particular screen that is misnamed from a designer who worked there a long timeago?Its hours.Well use previous assets for new features but itll take a long time to get this right, and this is based on real world experience. I give it a B because its trial and error to start, but it will improve overtime.Auto prototypingGrade: C-This. Is.Hard.It looked cool from the very outset, but when we built one of those prototypes for demonstration purposes, we spent a lot of time tweaking animations and adding the special sauce that made them fun, and all I saw from the video was simple point-and-click actions and not muchelse.I really see usefulness upfront when wiring things together, but the real magic will come from the designer, rendering this feature a toy until they can add magic. The wiring is the easy work, but 80 percent of rest mattersmore.ConclusionMy take, again: Im not worried about my job anytimesoon.I agree that it will change some tasksPortfolios will be much easier to create, imagination will be augmented in a way similar to ChatGPT, and simple tasks will be become easier, which are the tasks that take up valuable time from the more strategic thinking all of us really want todo.But for self designing prototypes? My take is that existing human behaviors get in theway.Its the same problem with self-driving cars: its the humans around them and the rules they dont follow. It will take systems time to anticipate our predictably unpredictable behavior, down to our poorly organized Figma files, weird naming, the need to come up with something different.This is still a wonderful set of features thats still in betatheyre learning with the rest of usso Im excited to see what they come up with. These tools will not replace the original and strategic thought needed to create great experiences.My take is much closer to the article Dont be fooled by Figmas new AI features in that well still play a pretty big role in the process and itll only be about the right tasks that are rote, not all thetsks.Thats where great designers comein.Figma AI tools: Im not worried about my job anytime soon was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Laying the groundwork for creating statistically valid personas.Photo by cottonbro studioPersonas are more than just UX and product design concepts; they are strongly anchored in psychology ideas about personality types. The significant overlap between persona and personality is not coincidental. Alan Cooper, credited with pioneering the incorporation of personas into UX research, may not have been completely aware of the psychological underpinnings, but the parallels are enormous and unmistakable. Personas, as used in psychology and UX research, refer to individuals as fullbeings.Taking this holistic perspective allows UX researchers to shed light on similar groups of users who differ fundamentally. Recognizing these qualitatively different groups provides product managers and UX designers with a more meticulous lens through which they can predict and observe user behavior.As a UX researcher who has developed statistically validated personas for an app with more than 7 million daily users, Ive realized that beyond a certain point in an apps evolution, its important to remember that users are more than just numbers and metrics. Its easy to become absorbed by the vast array of data and to try summarizing it using descriptive statistics. However, as UX visionaries, we have a mission to remind businesses that users are more than these numbers. We must acknowledge that, given the large scale of the user base, it is impossible to meet the needs of every single user. Nonetheless, this fact should not be seen as a burden; rather, the app should strive to do its best in this regard. To this end, we, as UX ambassadors, are tasked with analyzing and introducing groups of users who are, in one way or another, similar to each other. While every user is unique, this uniqueness has its limits, and there are seldom outliers who cannot be grouped on a larger scale. It is our duty to identify and introduce these broader groups to businesses, ensuring that the needs of particularly special and unique user segments are not overlooked.To this end, I aim to introduce a relatively new approach in the field of quantitative UX research, albeit an established one in psychology: the person-oriented approach. Adopting this approach can significantly impact the strategies businesses develop based on our deliverables as UX researchers.Exploring approaches in UXresearchVariable-Oriented approachThe variable-oriented approach in quantitative UX research investigates and reports on variables such as user satisfaction, NPS, etc., in an isolated context where they are reported based solely on their descriptives, such as average and standard deviation. These provide a general overview of the user base but do not extend beyond that point. Even when researchers aim to identify general patterns within this approach, they may utilize analyses like regression, correlation, and ANOVA solely to test their hypotheses and predict general trends for the future, as well as to investigate possible reasons for the observedmetrics.Person-Oriented approachContrary to the common variable-oriented approach, there is person-oriented approach which doesnt take users as the sum of the variables we can measure. But instead, it introduces users as human beings as unbreakable wholes which should not only be studied in their entirety, but also should be appraised and investigated regarding their unique beings. As Bergman and Trost havewritten:According to the person-oriented paradigm, the individual is an active agent in the person-environment system. The system is hierarchical and must be studied by carefully separating its different levels (from the molecular to the global). At each level, the system functions as an integrated, organized totality that is formed by the interactions among the elements, and the totality derives its meaning from these interactions and all elements considered simultaneously (Magnusson, 1990). Magnusson also introduced the concept of the person-oriented approach and developed it theoretically together with Bergman (Bergman & Magnusson, 1997; Magnusson, 1988,1999).Key features:Holistic analysis:Holism, as opposed to reductionism, provides researchers with a method to study how the unique characteristics of individuals (or personas) and the interactions among these characteristics within an individual (or persona) define who they are. This is not just theoretical; there are also tools and analytical methods that support this perspective.Emergence:Adopting a holistic approach in studying usersknown as the person-oriented approachallows us to view them as complex systems. One of the fundamental characteristics of complex systems is the unpredictability of their future behaviors when analyzed using common linear statistical methods. This aligns with a key principle in UX research, which is to focus on asking retrospective questions and observing past or current behaviors, rather than attempting to predict future behaviors of users. After all, users are humans, and humans are complex systems, to say the least. This unpredictability in the behavior of a complex system is referred to as emergence. In other words, human (or user) behavior emerges from a complex mix of characteristics, context, and their interactions, which we may perceive as a single, complete entity. While its not impossible to predict what might emerge from a given set of characteristics and interactions, the methods required for such predictions are far from those currently used in UX research. I will explore these methods and discuss how we, as UX researchers, could employ them in a futurearticle.Respecting, instead of eliminating, outliers and uniqueness:Traditional statistical methods have the tendency to remove outliers and unique data points to achieve a semblance of stability, creating an illusion of control and predictability in an inherently unpredictable world full of uncertainties. This approach has helped humans and businesses survive for a long time but has also contributed to significant downfalls in the history of economics and corporate ventures. Despite our desire to grasp reality with simple numbers like averages and medians, the truth is more complex than weimagine.In UX research, users exemplify this phenomenon. No matter how much we attempt to summarize user behavior using averages and descriptive metrics, they consistently surprise us. This element of surprise is what truly keeps the field of UX research vibrant; without it, the role of UX researchers would become redundant, as mere data collection would suffice. Thus, the uniqueness of users is not just a challenge; it is what sustains us. As quantitative UX researchers, we must never underestimate this factor by relying solely on traditional linear statistical methods. Instead, the statistical methods employed in the person-oriented approach not only preserve outliers and unique elements in the data and analyses but also strive to integrate them meaningfully into the broader context of the entire user community.Persona Template Fromvisme.coUser personas as anoutcome:Adopting a holistic perspective and respecting users as human beings, and thus complex systems, leads to the revelation of another crucial characteristic of users collective behavior: self-organization. This phenomenon can be studied at two different scales within user communities and societies.Firstly, it can be analyzed in terms of how the entire user base, viewed as a single entity, behaves and interacts with our product. Secondly, it often reveals how this cohesive entity can be segmented into similar clusters or groups of users, known as Personas in the field of UX. These personas are self-organized, emergent groups that are unique and qualitatively distinct from each other, yet each group can be studied as a cohesive whole, akin to a single person. Understanding these dynamics might enhance our ability to thrive in the unpredictable world weinhabit.Common statistical methods:As quantitative UX researchers, we often handle categorical or ordinal datasets. The Person-Oriented approach introduces two key methods for analyzing suchdata:Latent class analysis: This technique is utilized to identify self-organized groups of users (personas) based on categorical data, such as that obtained from a one-time survey. It helps in pinpointing distinct user segments within thedata.Latent transition analysis: This method tracks how personas evolve over time. It requires data gathered from surveys conducted at regular intervals, allowing researchers to observe changes in user behavior and group dynamics.I plan to explore these methods and demonstrate how to conduct them to develop statistically valid personas in a futurearticle.Should we eliminate the variable-oriented approach from our toolkit as UX researchers?TLDR; NO, itdepends!When to use a variable-oriented approachYour product isnew.You dont know your user-base at all and want to gain a general overview.You dont want to take any strategic decisions.You want to perform simplified comparisons.When to take a person-oriented approachYour product is well-established in themarket.You want to enhance user engagement with the addition of new features.You want to address deficiencies in yourproduct.You want to understand how the interactions of your users with your product change overtime.You want to achieve a detailed understanding of yourusers.Image Created byMyselfThe need for a balanced researchstrategyTo maximize the effectiveness of UX research, it is essential to employ both variable-oriented and person-oriented approaches. While the former provides a broad overview of user behaviors, the latter offers a deep, personalized understanding of user interactions. Together, they equip UX researchers and product managers with the comprehensive insights needed to make informed strategic and product decisions, ensuring that both broad and specific user needs are met.This balanced approach not only enhances user satisfaction but also drives product success by ensuring that user experiences are both broadly appealing and deeply personalized.How to balance the 2 research approachesThe current landscape of UX research significantly lacks awareness of alternative approaches for investigating users. This is why I have emphasized the benefits of adopting the person-oriented approach in this article. However, in a scenario where UX researchers are well-informed about the available options, it becomes logical to utilize these two approaches where they are most suitable. Specifically, the variable-oriented approach is ideal for gaining a broad overview of user behaviors, while the person-oriented approach is best suited for achieving a deep, personalized understanding of users and their interactions with the product. By strategically applying both approaches, products can potentially maximize engagement by fully respecting and addressing the needs, frustrations, and goals of theirusers.Introducing the person-oriented approach in UX Research was originally published in UX Collective on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.