A Spark of Inspiration
At User Connect Consultancy (UCC), we’ve always believed that the foundation of business innovation and strategic transformation lies in a user-centric approach. This belief informs every aspect of our work, from our insightful and bold research practices to the meaningful strategies, products, and services we help design.
We hold a steadfast belief that transformative change stems from continuous learning, innovative thinking, and collaboration. But as we delved deeper into the ecosystem of user research in India, one glaring gap became apparent—a lack of a dedicated platform where businesses, professionals, aspirants, academics, and students can connect, share best practices, explore emerging trends, exchange insights, and ignite the transformative change we all aspire to achieve.
This realisation planted the seed for what would become IGNITE—India’s first User Research Conference.
The need to IGNITE the spark
The current application and value of User Research often remain limited to fixing poorly designed and developed solutions (mostly limited to digital interfaces). Even today, it is typically brought into the process much later, after significant development and investment have already been made. The lack of impact from user research is frequently attributed to a lack of awareness of what it entails, how it benefits various stakeholders and departments, and its potential to drive meaningful, desirable, and profitable business outcomes.
At its core, User Research empowers people to understand context deeply, make informed decisions, and take confident, well-founded actions.
Whether it’s a business head, start-up founder, designer, marketing lead, or sales leader, research should deliver actionable insights that enable business success—not just fix features. Done well, research is domain- and phase-agnostic, providing decision-makers with the clarity to move in the right direction while eliminating guesswork.
The core motivation behind conceptualising IGNITE User Research Conference has been to demonstrate that user research can not only influence tactical product decisions but also holds the power to drive strategic initiatives that fuel business success—across organisations of all sizes, sectors, and geographies.
The Modest Beginnings of a Big Idea
The idea for IGNITE didn’t begin as a grand vision. It was, initially, a simple concept for an intimate gathering—a way for us to share our learnings and bring together a handful of like-minded professionals. However, as we discussed the idea of evaluating the needs and gauging the potential impact of such an event with various stakeholders—key leaders in design, research, PM, and business, we realised that our vision of what IGNITE could become needed to expand.
We realised we could create something special—a dedicated space designed for researchers to find genuine connections and actionable knowledge. And because we pride ourselves on using a user-centred approach in everything we do, it only made sense to design this conference with the community, not just for it.
Designing IGNITE with the Community
We realised that IGNITE had to reflect the aspirations and needs of the user research community in India. To achieve this, we turned to the best strategy at our disposal: research.
We launched a survey to understand:
Who would be interested in a user research conference?
What topics and formats would resonate most?
The response was overwhelming. Hundreds of professionals—user researchers, designers, business leaders, educators and curious minds—shared their insights, aspirations, and even words of encouragement. It became clear that IGNITE wasn’t just a good idea; it was a necessary one.
Armed with these insights, we began curating a lineup of speakers and workshops tailored to the community’s interests. This wasn’t about us deciding what was important—it was about listening to what mattered most to our audience.
A Labor of Love from the Community
What we hadn’t anticipated was the sheer love and support from our community. Messages poured in from colleagues, partners, and even strangers, expressing excitement and offering help. People connected us with speakers, volunteered to run workshops, and shared their own journeys of navigating the world of user research in India.
This spirit of collaboration became the heart of IGNITE.
It wasn’t just our conference anymore; it belonged to the community.
The Run-Up to Our Website Launch
As the vision for IGNITE took shape, one of the key milestones in the journey was the creation of its digital home. The website would serve as the face of the conference—a place to share our mission, announce our lineup, and enable registrations.
Designing the website was no small feat. It had to embody the same user-centred principles we advocate for in our work. We tested layouts, refined content, and iterated endlessly to ensure it wasn’t just informative but also intuitive and engaging.
Since the launch of the website, the response has been electrifying. The buzz on social media has validated every late night and early morning spent perfecting the platform.
IGNITE: More Than Just an Event
The launch of the IGNITE website stands as a testament to what’s possible when a shared vision meets a supportive community.
The small team at UCC is working hard to bring IGNITE to reality. For us it’s more than a conference; it is a movement to propel user research forward in India.
By bringing together thought leaders, expert practitioners, innovators, business leaders, and curious minds, IGNITE aims to cultivate a vibrant space where learning, networking, and growth converge. It’s a platform where ideas flourish, and meaningful connections are forged.
We’re thrilled to embark on this journey and invite you to join us in celebrating the power of user research.
Together, we can bridge the gaps, overcome challenges, and shape a brighter future for the discipline in India.
Let’s IGNITE the future of user research in India—together.
Visit our website to learn more about IGNITE, explore the lineup, and secure your spot today!
Co-authored by Mayank Loonker and the UCC team, with a touch of linguistic finesse from ChatGPT.
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