How to describe your design process?

Olivia Dumnicka
2 min readApr 5, 2023
Design process UX design interview

Design is a complex process that requires creativity, critical thinking, and attention to detail.

As a UX professional, it is essential to have a well-defined design process to ensure that you can deliver the best possible solutions to your clients or stakeholders. However, describing your design process can be challenging, especially when you are under pressure during a job interview or explaining design decisions to stakeholders.

Here are some tips on how to describe your design process effectively:

  1. Start with the user The user should be at the heart of your design process. Start by explaining how you identify user needs and pain points. Talk about your research methodologies, such as surveys, user interviews, and contextual inquiry, and how you use the insights to inform your design decisions.
  2. Explain your design principles Design principles are a set of guidelines that define the overall approach and philosophy behind your design decisions. When describing your design process, explain how you use design principles to create a cohesive user experience. This will show that you have a solid foundation for your design decisions.
  3. Talk about ideation and prototyping Ideation is the process of generating ideas and concepts for your design. Talk about how you ideate, whether it’s through brainstorming, sketching, or other methods. Describe how you turn those ideas into prototypes, whether it’s through low-fidelity wireframes or high-fidelity interactive designs.
  4. Describe your testing process Testing is a crucial part of the design process, as it helps you identify potential issues and areas for improvement. Explain how you test your designs, whether it’s through user testing, A/B testing, or other methods. Talk about how you incorporate feedback from testing into your design decisions.
  5. Use examples Using examples from your portfolio is an effective way to demonstrate your design process. Walk through a case study, and describe how you followed the steps we mentioned above to create a successful design. This will give the interviewer or stakeholder a better understanding of your design process and the results you can deliver.
  6. Be concise and clear When describing your design process, it’s essential to be concise and clear. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that the interviewer or stakeholder might not understand. Use simple language, and be specific about each step of the process.

In conclusion, describing your design process is a crucial skill for any UX professional. By being concise and clear, you can effectively communicate your design process and improve your chances of landing your dream job or communicating design decisions to stakeholders.

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Olivia Dumnicka

Product Designer that understands marketing. Based in Berlin. Working freelance 👩‍💻 + Running creators agency - swai.social