Matteo Zallio
In April 2022, I joined Autodesk’s BIM for Construction Center of Excellence, part of Autodesk Construction Solutions, as a Senior User Experience (UX) Researcher. In my role, I help teams from our Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) division uncover customer problems and shape new solutions through evidence-based (qualitative and quantitative) research methods.
I’ve always been fascinated by the power of design to create a better and more inclusive world – my experience as an architect led me to recognize the importance of considering diverse needs and perspectives in design.
Autodesk is dedicated to creating a better world for all, ensuring our tools, products, and services empower our customers to help drive business, industry, and global solutions. Engaging with Autodesk Research Community customers supports the passion and drive I have for inclusivity and accessibility.
Recognizing diverse needs and perspectives in design
Throughout my career, I often observed a lack of attention to designing buildings while considering accessibility and neurodiversity principles. One of the first instances that emphasized the importance of including stakeholders in the design process came from designing housing solutions for multigenerational communities in Italy. By actively involving community members from different cultural backgrounds, we gained insights into their specific needs and preferences. This led to the development of housing designs that considered physical, sensory, and cognitive capabilities, as well as cultural background, age, sex, and gender, among many other influencing factors.
While working for different architectural firms, I found that architects are often not encouraged to design for accessibility and inclusion. To tackle this challenge, after studying the practices and routines of building industry professionals, I developed a tool to assess the quality of inclusion and accessibility in the built environment. This tool aims to empower building industry professionals to design more inclusively by accommodating the diverse needs of building occupants through a data-informed approach.
These challenges underscored the significance of recognizing and valuing diverse needs and perspectives in design. This realization fueled my passion for embracing user experience research and applying it to effectively address these challenges, ultimately contributing to developing inclusive software and tools for architects, designers, engineers, and creators.
Now, as a researcher at Autodesk, I have delved deep into understanding the complexities of accessibility and its impact on people’s lives. This exploration has fueled my passion for seeking innovative approaches and practical solutions to ethically address the diverse challenges individuals with varying abilities face.
Bridging gaps and creating equitable solutions
User experience research can transcend barriers, promote inclusivity, and contribute to a more equitable and accessible world. This focus on inclusivity presents challenges and rewards, as it necessitates thoughtful consideration of various factors and the ability to find creative solutions that resonate with a broad audience.
Research offers the opportunity to discover our users’ needs, motivations, and behaviors. Through user research studies we conduct through the Autodesk Research Community, like interviews, surveys, and usability tests, valuable insights can be collected to inform the design and development of our globally used products.
Customer feedback and insights hold immense value in my role at Autodesk. They offer real-world perspectives and first-hand experiences that go beyond assumptions or internal viewpoints. Actively seeking and analyzing customer feedback provides a deeper understanding of their pain points, preferences, and expectations. This information empowers me to advocate for user-centered design decisions and provide evidence-based recommendations for improving the user experience.
The power of lifelong learning and mentorship
I strongly believe embracing a lifelong learning mindset is key to growing, learning, and improving skills in our chosen profession. Having mentors or role models in my field who have provided guidance and support has been critical for my success.
Throughout my career, I have always been curious to explore and embrace new challenges as positive opportunities for personal growth and career advancement. I believe everyone’s journey is unique, and it is important to define our own paths based on our personal interests, values, and goals.
Regardless of our individual paths, I firmly believe that curiosity and openness should always be at the core of our decision-making, behaviors, and actions in life. It is through curiosity that we can continually expand our knowledge, discover new possibilities, and approach challenges with a sense of enthusiasm and growth.
Ready to shape the world and your future? Join us at Autodesk!