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I'm a UX Researcher with 5+ years of experience shaping product decisions across mobile apps and AAA interactive entertainment. I specialize in uncovering user needs and behaviors using a wide range of research methods, tailored to evolving product and stakeholder goals. I'm a dynamic collaborator who brings structure to ambiguity—partnering across disciplines and presenting findings through clear, compelling narratives that drive clarity, influence roadmaps, and shape experiences that resonate with users. I've led the Naughty Dog User Research (NDUR) team, managed internal research initiatives across multiple AAA titles from early concept to post-launch refinement, and supported consumer insights for Discovery's mobile product portfolio, contributing to content, UX, and communications decisions across brands.…I'm a UX Researcher with 5+ years of experience shaping product decisions across mobile apps and AAA interactive entertainment. I specialize in uncovering user needs and behaviors using a wide range of research methods, tailored to evolving product and stakeholder goals. I'm a dynamic collaborator who brings structure to ambiguity—partnering across disciplines and presenting findings through clear, compelling narratives that drive clarity, influence roadmaps, and shape experiences that resonate with users. I've led the Naughty Dog User Research (NDUR) team, managed internal research initiatives across multiple AAA titles from early concept to post-launch refinement, and supported consumer insights for Discovery's mobile product portfolio, contributing to content, UX, and communications decisions across brands.

Aiden Thurston

QA Engineer, UX Designer, Data Annotator, +2

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I'm a UX Researcher with 5+ years of experience shaping product decisions across mobile apps and AAA interactive entertainment. I specialize in uncovering user needs and behaviors using a wide range of research methods, tailored to evolving product and stakeholder goals. I'm a dynamic collaborator who brings structure to ambiguity—partnering across disciplines and presenting findings through clear, compelling narratives that drive clarity, influence roadmaps, and shape experiences that resonate with users. I've led the Naughty Dog User Research (NDUR) team, managed internal research initiatives across multiple AAA titles from early concept to post-launch refinement, and supported consumer insights for Discovery's mobile product portfolio, contributing to content, UX, and communications decisions across brands.…I'm a UX Researcher with 5+ years of experience shaping product decisions across mobile apps and AAA interactive entertainment. I specialize in uncovering user needs and behaviors using a wide range of research methods, tailored to evolving product and stakeholder goals. I'm a dynamic collaborator who brings structure to ambiguity—partnering across disciplines and presenting findings through clear, compelling narratives that drive clarity, influence roadmaps, and shape experiences that resonate with users. I've led the Naughty Dog User Research (NDUR) team, managed internal research initiatives across multiple AAA titles from early concept to post-launch refinement, and supported consumer insights for Discovery's mobile product portfolio, contributing to content, UX, and communications decisions across brands.

Available to hire

I’m a UX Researcher with 5+ years of experience shaping product decisions across mobile apps and AAA interactive entertainment. I specialize in uncovering user needs and behaviors using a wide range of research methods, tailored to evolving product and stakeholder goals.

I’m a dynamic collaborator who brings structure to ambiguity—partnering across disciplines and presenting findings through clear, compelling narratives that drive clarity, influence roadmaps, and shape experiences that resonate with users. I’ve led the Naughty Dog User Research (NDUR) team, managed internal research initiatives across multiple AAA titles from early concept to post-launch refinement, and supported consumer insights for Discovery’s mobile product portfolio, contributing to content, UX, and communications decisions across brands.

Skills

Experience Level

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Expert

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Intermediate

Work Experience

User Researcher at Naughty Dog

January 1, 2020 - Present

Led the Naughty Dog User Research (NDUR) team, managing internal research initiatives across multiple AAA narrative-driven titles from early concept to post-launch refinement. Designed and executed generative and evaluative studies —playtesting, usability testing, focus groups, accessibility testing, heuristic evaluations, interviews, surveys, and competitive analysis— providing insight into player motivations, engagement, and comprehension. Used qualitative and quantitative data from playtesting supported by telemetry tools, Tableau dashboards, and Qualtrics surveys to influence game direction, feature design, and overall player experience. Recruited, mentored, and managed researchers; partnered with directors, producers, designers, QA, and Sony UXR to define goals and integrate feedback into milestone planning and live iteration cycles. Delivered findings through compelling narratives and visualizations that align stakeholders and accelerate decision-making.