John Dirks
About John Dirks
John Dirks is the Chief Research Officer at Blink UX, with extensive experience in user research and usability engineering, and holds a Ph.D. in Learning Sciences and Human Development from the University of Washington.
Current Role at Blink UX
John Dirks is the Chief Research Officer at Blink UX. He has played a key role in transforming the company’s research practice from a startup to a multi-million dollar operation. His responsibilities include maintaining a thriving company culture and scaling Blink UX's consulting business. He focuses significantly on client satisfaction and the quality of work produced by his team. John applies his expertise in both qualitative and quantitative user research methodologies to drive the company's success.
Previous Experience at Major Corporations
John Dirks has a rich history of working with major corporations in usability and user research roles. He was a Sr. Usability Engineer at Attachmate Corporation from 2001 to 2002, a User Researcher at Microsoft Corporation through Excel Data from 2003 to 2004, and a Lead Usability Engineer at WRQ, Inc. from 1996 to 2000. These positions have equipped him with extensive experience in applying user research and usability principles in varied contexts.
Educational Background
John Dirks holds a Ph.D. in Learning Sciences and Human Development from the University of Washington. He also has a Graduate Certificate in User Centered Design, and a Certificate in Technical Writing and Editing, both from the same university. Additionally, he earned an M.S. in Forest Products Marketing, International Trade from the University of Washington and a B.S. in Forestry, Business from the University of Idaho.
Academic Contributions and Research
John Dirks has served as a faculty member at the University of Georgia’s College of Education. He has conducted ethnographic studies on how young people learn to use digital media, which has informed many of his initiatives in user research. His academic background and research form a strong foundation for his current role and contributions in the field of user research.
Personal Interests
Residing in West Seattle, John Dirks enjoys spending his personal time with family and hiking. These activities provide a balanced approach to his professional life, allowing him to recharge and bring a fresh perspective to his role at Blink UX.