User Research Interviews

User interviews that get past what people say — to what they actually mean.

I conduct moderated research interviews that reveal the mental models, beliefs, and decision logic your analytics can't touch.

What user interviews reveal (that analytics and surveys can't)

  • Mental models How people actually think about your product category, not what they'd say in a survey.
  • Beliefs about trust and safety The unstated assumptions that determine whether someone believes your product is safe, effective, or credible.
  • Emotional context Anxiety, hope, skepticism, or urgency that shapes every decision — invisible in quantitative data.
  • The WHY behind behavior Not just that users abandoned the flow, but the specific moment where trust broke or comprehension failed.

If your analytics tells you WHAT users do but not WHY, user interviews answer the second question.

This is where product decisions come from — not from clickstreams, but from understanding the reasoning behind the click.

How it works

1

Screener & recruitment

I create a recruitment screener, manage outreach, and qualify participants who match your research goals.

2

Discussion guide

I design a flexible guide that explores your core research questions without leading participants.

3

8–10 moderated sessions

60-minute remote interviews. I moderate, listen, and dig into the moments where your product matters most.

4

Full synthesis

I code all sessions, identify themes and patterns, and build a coherent picture of user thinking.

5

Insights report

Written synthesis with findings, implications, and opportunities. Optional readout workshop included.

What you receive

Synthesis report with themes and patterns

A clear, readable document mapping the themes that emerged across sessions, organized by research question. Includes user mental models — the frameworks people use to make decisions about your category.

Opportunity framing

Specific, actionable recommendations. Not just "users were confused" but "here's what you could build or clarify to address it."

Participant quotes by theme

Direct evidence — verbatim quotes from sessions organized thematically, so you can hear the thinking behind the findings.

Optional readout workshop

A live session where I walk your team through findings, answer questions, and work through implications for your product roadmap.

When to use user interviews vs. usability testing

These are different research methods for different questions.

User interviews

The question: "What do users need? What do they believe? How do they think about this problem?"

When: Early-stage discovery. Before you've built the solution — or if you're rethinking a fundamental approach.

Output: Understanding of user needs, beliefs, mental models, and emotional context.

Usability testing

The question: "Can users actually do the thing? Where do they get stuck?"

When: Validation stage. You've built something and need to know if it works.

Output: Specific breakage points, navigation friction, comprehension gaps in your design.

Pricing

$7,500–$12,000
Research + synthesis
3–4 weeks
Timeline
8–10 sessions
Typical scope
$800–$1,500
Recruitment expenses*

*Recruitment costs depend on participant specificity and compensation. I'll give you an estimate upfront.

Frequently asked questions

Ready to understand your users?

I'll create a research plan tailored to your questions, timeline, and budget.

Get in touch