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Michael Winnick

dscout / founder

Michael Winnick is the founder and CEO of dscout, a mobile research platform that helps businesses capture user insights, thoughts, reactions, and behaviors efficiently.14 As a leader in the field of user research and product development, Winnick has extensive experience and expertise in reshaping consumer technology landscapes.1

Career Background

Before founding dscout, Winnick served as the Managing Partner at gravitytank, an innovation consultancy. He led the company through significant growth for nearly a decade before its acquisition by Salesforce.13 His earlier career included:

  • Leading product development efforts at Wired Magazine
  • Working with Bay Area startups1

Education and Teaching

Winnick's educational background includes:

  • A BA from Stanford University
  • Alumni status at IIT Institute of Design (ID)1

He has also contributed to education in his field by:

  • Teaching graduate courses on concept definition at ID
  • Serving as adjunct faculty at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management1

Expertise and Influence

Winnick is recognized for his expertise in:

  • User research methodologies
  • Product design
  • Innovation in consumer technology

His insights are frequently sought after by leading product designers and researchers.1 Winnick has spoken at industry events and shared his perspectives on how user research has evolved over time, emphasizing the importance of understanding user behavior in real-time contexts.23

Approach to Research and Technology

Winnick advocates for a deep understanding of user behavior and context in product development. He has led studies on mobile usage patterns, revealing insights into how people interact with their devices throughout the day.3 His approach combines quantitative data with qualitative insights to provide a comprehensive view of user experiences.

At dscout, Winnick has been instrumental in developing tools that allow researchers to capture real-time, contextual data from users, moving beyond traditional research methods to understand the "why" behind user behaviors.3

Highlights

May 31 · linkedin

🎉 What an accomplishment! 🎉

dscout is a leader in the first ever Forrester Wave for Experience Research Platforms!

  • Thank you to all dscouters, past and present, for the many years of work it took to achieve this goal.
  • Thank you to our customers for your support in pushing dscout to be the company we are today.
  • Thank you to Forrester and AJ Joplin for bringing credibility and rigor to this category.

Stay tuned, there’s more to come!

Related Questions

What inspired Michael Winnick to start dscout?
How did Michael Winnick's role at gravitytank prepare him for founding dscout?
What are some key innovations Michael Winnick has introduced at dscout?
How does Michael Winnick's background in product development influence his leadership at dscout?
What are Michael Winnick's thoughts on the future of mobile research?
Michael Winnick
Michael Winnick, photo 1
Michael Winnick, photo 2
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Location

Greater Chicago Area