About Jiaorui

The most amazing response I have received for my work is

“I tore up the cards with my own hands and she put it back together! How is that even possible?“

The feedback came from my onsite interview for a UX Research job. Yes, I did pull off a magic trick during the interview. Sounds wild, right? But that's exactly the kind of memorable impression I wanted to leave on my hiring manager. How else do you stand out from the crowd?

Magicians excel in designing memorable experiences, employing methodologies that mirror those used by UX professionals.

Magicians ask, “If we do a great job, what emotions do I want to evoke from the audience?” Meanwhile UX professionals ask, “If we do a great job, whose life do we improve and how?“

Magicians craft the experience by understanding what the current experience is like for the audience, including where their attention lies, the preconceptions and assumptions they hold about magic, the potential explanations they formulate in an attempt to demystify the act. This thorough understanding enables magicians to refine their acts, making them more captivating.

UX Researchers share a parallel process. By thoroughly understanding users' current workflows, identifying sources of frustration, and pinpointing areas for improvement, researchers can help the team conceptualize and develop solutions that that bring users to their ideal experience.

Many might think the sense of wonder at a magic show stems from not knowing the secrets or lacking the skills to perform the tricks themselves. However, the true impact of magic lies not in the technical mastery or uncovering the secrets behind the illusions. It's this blend of presentation and storytelling that transforms a mere trick into a truly magical experience.

Similarly, UX Research is not just about data gathering, analysis, and synthesis. I recognize the true value of research materializes when insights are actively leveraged to drive change. As a researcher,

• My areas of investigation extends beyond user needs. I ensure that business context and technical constraints are considered and integrated with the insights I provide. This holistic view allows for more nuanced and actionable recommendations.

• I circulate insights in ways that elevate the team to be more successful. My strength lies in distilling complex concepts and making them accessible to my fellow designers and researchers, paving the way for more productive teamwork and innovative solutions.

• I drive alignment between diverse business functions. Through consistent effort to build trust and establish meaningful connections with stakeholders, I enable better inter-department decision making and igniting efforts for changes and innovation.

If I did a great job telling you about myself, you may want to reach out and chat. Don’t be a stranger - I’ll even show you a magic trick.