It looks like someone else is offering a connection. But I would not book an appointment and then try to do user research unless you are trying to get a lens of the patient. I'd ask the office manager to ask a doctor if they'd be willing to provide time or try to contact physician consultants within universities. You could always email some doctor's office and explain what you are trying to do. When we did testing on physicians, we normally paid anywhere between 150-300 dollars per their hour for testing. We also had to be very conscientious of PHI and not take any photos, etc.

The way I usr my BuJo I use it everyday so something like a weekly checkin is unnecessary. But bulley journaling is incredibly flexible so if you feel the need to have weekly checkins, I have seen formats that allow you to do so.

To your original question of long term goals, I break down long term goals to manageable steps so there isn't quite something I need to track per se. Accomplishing the tasks should bring me closer. For instance, if I want to make an app, I'd break it down to brainstorming, conceptual testing, wireframing, high fis, prototyping etc. When I accomplish any of those I shouldn't have to 'keep track' of long term goal.

I keep a bullet journal to get a holistic view of my goals. Each month I try to list down what I want to accomplish, and go through the standard migration process (http://bulletjournal.com/)

At the end of the month I try to reflect on what I can do better to accomplish my goals. In the journal I also keep a daily habit tracker to help me visualize my accomplishments.

I love this question - I don't really have an answer for anyone else, but I try to get software comped through work when I'm in-house. When I'm freelance, I try to find free software to minimize my cost since nothing is so essential to my work that I can't find some free alternative, or analog alternative.

Creatives I feel are charged for our tools even when not dealing with software, and our tools are more likely to be expendable or out of date within a shorter time frame than other vocations. For instance as you stated, developers generally learn more robust languages and their investment would be their computer. Even with traditional creatives, you have to pay for paint and canvas, and those only have one use.

In terms of software, there is a lot of churn capitalizing on the growth in design, making it difficult to figure out which technologies will stay and which will go.

But thanks for asking this, it made me think a bit!

I think if the expectation is for novice level experience then it is reasonable. If they want someone to be good enough to be mentoring and exploring strategic use of research, then I think this should definitely be multiple roles. User testing is more than just asking people what they think about designs as is creating polished designs. It seems implicit that being polished, interactions, branding, and style would be accounted for.

I see. Well goodluck in your search. I think the most important part about getting researchers on board is highlighting whether or not the company will back the results. I know a handful of companies who are asking for research but don't want to hear how their product fares in testing besides getting that tick on their product chart of engaging their users.

I see 2-3 individuals who would fill in what you're asking for. I feel like you are asking for a researcher as well as either a UI designer or a visual designer for the last two bullet points. I know that there is a giant generalist vs specialist debate going on, but if you find specialists they won't do all 4 well, or at least it's more unlikely. For instance a user researcher should comfortably be able to do the first two bullet points, and if need be the third. The fourth is pretty time consuming though.

If this is your first design hire, what prompts the first two bullets? If you don't mind me asking.

I think it depends. If I'm hearing music for the first time most likely not. Orchestra/instrumental music generally helps me be productive or songs that I have on a repeat playlist so I can drone out the lyrics. Very few lyrical songs make that playlist though since most of the time it's distracting.

No way on podcasts those are too distracting. I use spotify and have several different repeat playlists (dark, acoustic, instrumental) but most of the time cinematic songs help me do work (Regina Spektor's song from Kubo for instance).

Thank you for sharing! I'll have to try this when I get home.

I have a couple of random goals:

17% body fat Begin a kickstarter campaign Finish up the online course I bought 2 years ago on javascript Push some 365 projects for as long as I can go (drawing, writing, photos) Sign up for that Roth IRA