As product designers, our mission is to craft visually stunning products and functional, user-friendly solutions that align with business goals. Yet, even the best of us stumble in the early stages of our careers and sometimes even further down the road. In this article, I’ll share some of my rookie mistakes and provide insights on how to steer clear of them. Let’s dive into five common pitfalls and my strategies to avoid them.
“It’s through mistakes that you actually can grow. You have to get bad in order to get good.” – Paula Scher.
1. Focusing Too Much on the UI
Mistake:
It’s tempting to get lost in the aesthetics of a design, but a beautiful UI is meaningless if the product lacks functionality or usability.
Solution:
- Prioritize functionality and keep it simple.
- Start with wireframes and sketches, especially when working on a complex interface.
- Embrace simplicity to enhance clarity and ease of use.
2. Poor User Research
Mistake:
Inadequate research can lead to misguided design decisions, whether due to insufficient research, confirmation bias, or a lack of understanding of user context.
Solution:
- Plan, stay open-minded, and consider user context.
- Create a research plan with clear objectives.
- Approach research with neutrality and an open mind.
- Factor in the broader context in which users interact with your product.
3. Lack of Alignment with Business Goals
Mistake:
Failing to align design decisions with the broader business objectives of the product or organization.
Solution:
- Understand business objectives and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
- Understand the user goals and align your designs accordingly.
- Collaborate closely with product managers and stakeholders to ensure alignment. As product designers, we advocate for the users, but we also need to make sure we’re also solving a business problem.
4. Not Getting Feedback Early On
Mistake:
Neglecting early feedback can hinder identifying issues, refining ideas, and meeting user and business needs.
Solution:
- Create a feedback-friendly environment and share work-in-progress.
- Share work-in-progress designs early and explain your intention to seek input.
- Engage in regular design critiques and involve users from the start.
5. Ignoring Scalability of the Product
Mistake:
Focusing solely on the immediate design and user experience without considering the long-term growth and adaptability of the product.
Solution:
- Collaborate closely with developers and technical stakeholders early and understand constraints.
- Design in a modular way to accommodate future features.
- Keep yourself updated on industry trends and scalability best practices.
In the ever-evolving field of product design, we all make mistakes. The key is to recognize them, learn from them, and actively work to avoid them in the future. By focusing on functionality, conducting thorough user research, aligning with business objectives, seeking early feedback, and considering scalability, we can navigate the intricate world of product design more effectively. Embrace these strategies, and your journey as a product designer will be marked by growth and success.