Translation is essentially an endeavour in human-computer interaction; most, if not all, translators use a computer, online resources and richly-featured translation technology to assist with their text production activities (O’Brien, 2012). Consequently, some translation process research has focused on the interaction between the translator, her tools, and her workspace (see, for example, Ehrensberger-Dow & O’Brien 2015; O’Brien et al. 2017; Cadwell et al. 2017). The primary concern of such research has been to uncover and highlight the benefits of the technology, but also its drawbacks, ergonomic challenges and its impact on the cognitive process as well as on the translated product. It is generally accepted that technology acts as an aid to translators, but that it is also an inhibitor, forcing the translator to interact with unstable tools and sometimes also with poor translation (e.g. LeBlanc 2013). Translation technology has generally been developed with a “one-design-suits-all” approach. But, is that sufficient? Do all translators behave and work in exactly the same way? Or should the technology adapt to the translator-user’s personal needs and working methods? This talk will draw on the field of user research and user experience (UX) to suggest that concepts and research approaches in that field might benefit research in translation and cognition, especially when such research is focused on the technological environment (O’Brien and Conlan, 2018).