Instead of 100 buttons, use a digital numpad where users type their floor.
Problem framing & priority
Question: “You add a ‘save for later’ button. How do you measure success?”
Do you understand what makes a product successful, engaging, and valuable? Instead of 100 buttons, use a digital numpad
: Sarah, a 35-year-old parent and commuter who drives into downtown Chicago daily for meetings.
Landing a role as a product designer requires more than a polished portfolio. You must prove you can think on your feet, collaborate under pressure, and solve complex, ambiguous problems. This is exactly what the product design exercise evaluates.
"Recommend a mobile app that allows balance checks, trip history, and auto-reload with notifications. This offers the best balance of user time-saving and technical feasibility." : Sarah, a 35-year-old parent and commuter who
A weight-sensor integrated with an AI "Expiration Engine" that pings the user three days before their spinach turns into slime. The Pivot: "Critique the UI of a Digital ATM."
Each resident gets a transparent, temperature-controlled cube accessible only via a phone app. The Twist:
Ask questions to understand the constraints (e.g., "Is this for mobile or web?"). Identify Users: Define 2–3 distinct user personas. This is exactly what the product design exercise evaluates
In the competitive landscape of product design, technical skills and visual aesthetics are no longer the sole determinants of success. Whether applying for a role at a FAANG company or a high-growth startup, the interview process has evolved. Today, the ability to think on one’s feet is tested through the "Product Design Exercise"—a high-pressure scenario where candidates must solve a complex problem in real-time.
"Forget the kettle," Leo said. "If I'm on Mars and I’m scared, I don't want a sensor. I want the smell of toasted bread. I’m designing an oxygen vent that mimics the olfactory profile of a Sunday morning."
Difficulty locating the clock in the dark or when disoriented.