LaunchBox is a team of experienced market and design researchers. Since 1999 we’ve contributed to the successful launch of products, services and campaigns for a broad spectrum of companies, from startups to the Fortune 500.
We approach each new project with a fresh perspective while carefully relying on our combined decades of experience. Our clients can benefit from our many years of experience, international reach, collaborative approach and efficient execution.
John ThomasManaging Partner 503.970.7832 johnt@launchbox.com |
Scott ThorpePrincipal 503.704.7925 scott@launchbox.com |
Patti ParkerPrincipal 503.522.3382 patti@launchbox.com |
Charlie WeissPrincipal 503.799.4848 charliew@launchbox.com |
Erin SchulzPrincipal 971.404.9602 erins@launchbox.com |
Erin Schulz
Since 1995 Erin has been researching Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).
Prior to working with LaunchBox she led a variety of research projects as an employee of Microsoft, Visio and Boeing. She taught research methods at the University of Washington for over 10 years. Her expertise is in research design, quantitative and qualitative analysis, statistical methods, and one-on-one interviews in the lab and in the field.
She has led all aspects of the user-centered design process including gathering user requirements using ethnographic methods, defining user profiles, creating use cases, conducting usability tests, and designing user interfaces.
Her experience expands beyond computer software and hardware and has included research in healthcare, airplane interiors, sports apparel, auto body shops and research methods coaching.
Erin has a MS in Human Centered Design Engineering, University of Washington.
Charlie WeissSince 1977, Charlie has worked in economic, market and environmental assessment, strategic planning, program/product development and communications. His diverse domain experience includes energy, electronics, business-to-business software, energy efficiency and green building.
Global clients have included Intel, SAP, Visio, and IKEA; electric utilities, city and regional governments, and many smaller clients. Roles have included merger and acquisition work, international PR team management, industry analyst and consultant; designing, interpreting and applying in-depth qualitative research as a basis for strategy and business decisions. He has designed and performed business-to-business, supplier, channel, editorial, investor, employee and management-team research projects, applying the research to help clients launch new products, companies, distribution channels, promotions and branding/re-branding efforts.
Charlie has a BA in economics focused in urban and environmental economic systems and cost-benefit analysis from Colorado College.
John ThomasSince 1988 John has been focusing where technology and business research objectives merge. John has run hundreds of custom research studies for technology and other new-product clients worldwide.
John's expertise lies in research design and methodology; including executive interviewing, focus group moderation, and interface testing. On the quantitative side, he works with advanced multivariate modeling, market sizing and segmentation, advertising effectiveness and pricing models.
John has a MS in Marketing, specializing in market research techniques and measuring social phenomena (under Gil Churchill) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. John's undergraduate degrees include a triple major in marketing, psychology and finance.
Patti
ParkerPatti began her market research career in 1999 and has developed a passion for talking to consumers and uncovering insights ever since. A RIVA trained moderator, Patti has spent much of the last decade honing her exploratory, ethnographic and in-depth interviewing skills. At home in any environment, Patti is equally comfortable talking to high-level executives, soccer moms and college students and has done so in a myriad of settings around the globe. She has conducted hundreds of focus groups, one-on-one interviews and contextual inquiries in her 13 years in the field.
On the quantitative side, Patti has deep roots in multivariate techniques such as feature trade-offs using Discrete Choice Methodology (DCM) or conjoint analysis, market/opportunity sizing and segmentation.
Prior to joining LaunchBox Patti worked in a host of both boutique research agencies and large, multinational firms. She’s held senior positions at Market Strategies International (MSI), Doxus and Gartner as well as growth and development roles at Brand New Corporation and Griggs-Anderson Research.
Scott ThorpeScott’s diversity of experience in his 18+ years in the research industry have won the trust of clients in a variety of sectors from technology to consumer goods. Scott’s solid foundation in both qualitative and quantitative research allows him to provide strong methodological direction in qualitative-based research projects, which has been his primary focus for the past seven years at LaunchBox.
Prior to joining LaunchBox Scott worked at Gartner as a senior research specialist and before that Scott spent the early part of his career at Ziba Design, an internationally recognized product design firm. Based on that experience Scott has a unique expertise in design/innovation projects which involves gathering insights via ethnographic-related research techniques and coordinating multi-disciplinary teams to frame design opportunities and provide tangible and relevant product or service concepts.
Scott is also fluent in many other forms of research including brand positioning, advertising and messaging research, concept testing, UI/UX testing and user experience research. In total Scott has moderated over 800 focus groups and thousands of one-on-one interviews with consumer, B2B and B2C research audiences. Aside from his work experience, his biggest asset is his empathetic and team-oriented disposition which helps to draw the most out of his research participants and fellow colleagues.
Scott has a BA-Honors in Sociology and Cultural Anthropology from the University of Saskatchewan in Canada.
We love what we do. Our passion for research shows in every project we conduct, from traditional market research to design and usability studies.
We rely on our extensive experience researching the subjective world of product design to help you strike the balance between form, function and innovation.
Modes: contextual inquiry ethnographic observation and interviewing, focus groups, CLTs, one-on-ones, surveysWe test the limits of your product, service, website or app to help you improve the usability and relevance of your customer touch points.
Modes: lab tests, field tests, one-on-ones, dyads, journaling, mobile platformsLaunchBox is located in the Pacific Northwest with teams in the region’s hubs of Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington. Despite our affinity for the Northwest, you’ll often find us on an airplane or in a major city around the globe conducting research.
We have built a national network of trusted suppliers with whom we've established close working relationships. These partners, many of whom we've worked with for more than a decade, include recruiters, programmers, panel providers and research facilities. We've carefully selected the best in the business and and continue to strengthen these partnerships with each project we do.
We also have extensive experience managing projects with international components. We’ve developed long-standing relationships with individuals at international-based market research firms, partnerships that our clients value. These partners work hard to meet our high standards and consistently recommend the best research approach in their market, while remaining sensitive to local customs and behaviors.
Partnering with local firms in over 40 countries allows us to take advantage of their online panels, recruiting, facility and local moderation services. In countries where we don't speak the local language, we work closely with the in-country moderator and simultaneous translator to create a research experience consistent with other countries. We also frequently moderate sessions ourselves in countries beyond the U.S. including Canada, the U.K., China, Japan, Australia, Singapore, India, Germany and France.
The LaunchBox Lab, located in downtown Seattle, provides dedicated space for a wide range of in-person product and concept testing, focus groups and usability projects. Our lab is a highly flexible space, accommodating a variety of research scenarios including individual or group sessions in both home and office-like environments. We arrange the space to suit the research -- living room setup, private office, individual desks or traditional round table discussions.
The client viewing area can host up to 15 people. Research sessions are viewable through two large screen TVs that display a variety of session angles (product close-up of hand-held device, computer screen, group and/or individuals).
Click here to view the lab gallery
The LaunchBox lab is located between Cedar and Clay on Western Avenue in Belltown.
Why work with LaunchBox?
We take great pride in the work we do and in the many companies with whom we’ve built long standing relationships. Our approach allows us to truly understand our client’s research needs and their unique business challenges.
To protect ongoing research and client confidentiality, we do not share the names of the companies with whom we work.
Below are the industries in which we do most our work and have developed deep vertical expertise.
Our work involves all aspects of the technology sector including hardware, software, peripherals, services and retail. We have been heavily involved in productivity software, PC, AV and digital music research.
The mobile/telcom space is very familiar to us. We have researched all aspects of this sector including handhelds, tablets, mobile platforms, apps, service offerings, and accessories. Our clients include all major mobile phone manufacturers.
We frequently conduct research with some of the world’s leading brands on sports apparel, sports equipment, outdoor recreational clothing and gear and digital sports devices.
We provide research services to leading consumer goods manufacturers in a wide range of industries. Example of the types of products we have researched include outdoor lights, knives and tools, baby products, home hardware, greeting cards, vacuums, lawn mowers, BBQs, real estate planning and beauty products.
Our work in this area includes airplane interiors, airplane maintenance tools, and airline industry analytics.
We conduct studies on healthcare related products that help track and manage chronic health issues. We also do research on diseases, their prevalence and treatment effectiveness for projects funded by the National Institute of Health, health-care providers, pharma and advocacy organizations accelerating their efforts for a cure.
We see growing investment in new approaches, services and products in green building, energy efficiency, and process improvement. In response to this we have developed deep market understanding in many crucial areas, from pure-water technologies to efficient IT, and continue to assist clients with research on new technologies, program design and research-based strategic planning.
