The “perfect” design process isn’t always the best process

One thing that many designers, myself included, struggle with at the start of their careers, is what design processes actually look like.

If you’re fresh out of grad school or bootcamp reading this right now, you might be thinking - hello!! of course I know what design processes look like! (duuh🤦‍♀️)

…And I believe you! design education right now seems to really focus on teaching students all about the design thinking process, double and triple diamond, etc. AND 90% of all the fresh graduate portfolios out there that I’ve seen (that actually have text instead of just images 🤨) have case studies talking about how they used “X” design process, what they did at each stage, and how important this was.

Yes, these processes are important! I firmly believe that you should have a thorough understanding of these processes, and that they help you build a strong and solid UX foundation. But I think there’s a big mismatch between what you learn during your studies/online, versus what design processes out in the real world look like.

And the sooner you realize this, the sooner you are able to adapt. And if you’re like me - the less guilt, shame, and impostor syndrome you might feel moving forward.

Sooo, here’s the problem:

In corporations with existing products, the design process isn’t always linear

Actually, I’ve had quite a few experiences now where I’ve felt less successful trying to do the design process thoroughly from A to Z (or empathize to testing, if you will). Even when it comes to creating something from scratch 🤷‍♀️

Simply because doing it the “perfect/linear” way, in an organization and environment that’s not yet ready for it, can slow down the speed of delivery, and thus the incoming revenue. Which in turn can put a lot of pressure on teams and individuals if they are expected to deliver at certain times.

And then the pressure to perform fast grows larger, shortcuts get taken, and the cycle of making quick fixes instead of finding the actual problem continues.

Simply put, if a process takes too long in the name of following a good design process (at one of these companies that aren’t ready) - you will most likely lose stakeholder alignment and/or customers. Trust me, I am speaking from experience ☠️🥲

With short deadlines you sometimes have to pick and chose what to prioritize before moving on next phases

Sometimes you have to settle on a middle ground, or move the research activities to a later stage, or make decisions based on hypotheses, and that's OK!!

This doesn’t mean that you are a bad designer. Just as it doesn’t mean that you should stop trying to follow good design processes altogether. It simply means that you need to be adaptable and pragmatic in your approach to design. Design is not always about following a rigid set of steps; it's about finding solutions that work within the constraints of the situation at hand. This may involve making compromises, adjusting timelines, or prioritizing certain aspects of the design process over others. Recognizing when to be flexible and when to hold firm to design principles is a skill in itself, one that can only be learned through experience and a willingness to learn from each project.

Ultimately, being a successful designer means being able to navigate the complexities of real-world projects while still striving for good design. It's about understanding that perfection is often unattainable but “better” is always within reach, even in the face of challenges and compromises. By remaining adaptable, open-minded, and committed to continuous improvement, you can overcome obstacles and deliver impactful, user-centered designs that meet the needs of both your clients and their users.

OK, so now you’re aware of the problem. How can you productively work around this?

Firstly (and most importantly), remember that building a good product isn’t solely your responsibility; it's a team effort. Finding good ways to communicate and connect with your team/client is equally, if not more, important than following a perfect process. Happy teams create better products 😊

Your role as a UX designer/product designer is to be a design evangelist. Educate and take initiative where you can (and want to), but don’t feel like a failure if you can’t “sway” the team/client.

And Philip Wallage says it better: "If a client doesn't want to make an informed decision... That's his right.”

And lastly, work on improving your communication skills. By improving your communication skills, you not only enhance your ability to articulate your ideas effectively but also increase the likelihood of others understanding and embracing your perspectives. Moreover, strong communication fosters better understanding among colleagues, promoting collaboration and synergy within the team. In essence, levelling up your communication skills is a win-win scenario, empowering you AND others to navigate complex design processes with clarity and confidence ✨

Fjuuh, that was a long one! but I think that was everything for now 😝

Till next time, 
Julie Amalie