Essential Questions to Ask a Product Designer for a Successful Partnership

When hiring a product designer, it's crucial to understand their approach to design, their processes, and how they stay updated with the evolving trends. This article outlines key questions you should ask a product designer to ensure a successful partnership and alignment of goals.

The Nature of Product Design

1. In your opinion, what is product design? Understanding how a designer views the role of product design can provide insights into their mindset and approach. A product designer should be able to describe product design as the intersection of function, user experience, and aesthetics, with an emphasis on solving problems through thoughtful and innovative design solutions.

Strategic Design Approaches

2. In your opinion, how should a good design process start? Asking this question helps determine their approach to initiating a design project. A good designer should begin with a comprehensive understanding of the user and the context of use. This involves market research, user interviews, and usability testing to identify pain points and opportunities for improvement. A solid design process is iterative and data-driven, ensuring that every decision is backed by insights and evidence.

3. Which product or style guide should come first? This question can help gauge the designer's philosophy on guidelines and consistency. A good product designer understands that while a style guide is essential for maintaining consistency, it should evolve with the product's development. There shouldn't be a strict hierarchy; rather, the style guide should be a living document that is regularly updated based on user feedback and new design insights.

Problem-Solving Techniques

4. Talk about a time when you made a complicated situation or problem easier. What made you look for the easy way out? This question can reveal the designer's problem-solving skills and creative approaches. A skilled product designer should be able to articulate how they simplified a complex issue, highlighting their ability to think outside the box and deliver practical solutions. It's important for designers to break down problems into smaller, manageable parts and use user-centered design to create intuitive and efficient solutions.

User-Centric Ethics

5. Recall situations where you were asked to do something you didn't like or knew was wrong. How did you respond? This question can reveal the designer's ethical standards and their approach to working under pressure. A responsible product designer should be willing to speak up when they believe a project is taking the wrong direction. They should also be prepared to defend their decisions and provide alternatives that align with ethical design practices. This question can help assess their integrity and professionalism.

Keeping Up with Trends

6. How do you keep up with the latest design trends? What resources do you use to inspire yourself? Staying current with design trends is crucial for a product designer. They should have a process for continuously learning and exploring new design concepts. Reliable resources might include design blogs, industry podcasts, and community forums. A designer should also be open to experimenting with new tools and techniques to enhance their skills and deliver innovative designs.

By asking these questions, you can gain valuable insights into a product designer's expertise, approach, and methods. These insights will help you make informed decisions and ensure that your project aligns with your goals and values.