Dear Reader,

This week, I'm excited to dive in the the 5 underrated traits that separate high-earning product designers from the rest.

This topic is often misunderstood, leading to mediocrity in the product design industry.

However, understanding these traits can unlock increased creativity, quality, and potential for higher earnings.

So let's get started!

The Core Idea

The key to setting yourself apart as a product designer lies in avoiding some common mistakes:

• Focusing on aesthetics over functionality: Design isn't just about making things look good. It's about creating a seamless, intuitive experience for the user.

• Ignoring user feedback: Some designers believe they know best. However, the end-users are the ones who will ultimately determine the success of your product.

• Neglecting continuous learning: In a field as dynamic as product design, standing still is the equivalent of moving backward.

• Dismissing the importance of collaboration: Product design is a team sport. Collaborating effectively with others, from clients to engineers, is vital.

• Failing to take risks: Playing it safe might make your designs reliable, but it rarely leads to innovation.

The root cause of these mistakes is often a lack of understanding about what truly constitutes a top-tier product designer.

So how can we navigate these pitfalls?

Let's explore together:

Step 1: Embrace Functionality

Understanding the role of functionality in product design is paramount.

Many designers, especially those in the early stages of their careers, are often so engrossed in making their designs visually appealing that they overlook its functionality.

A product's aesthetics are undoubtedly crucial—they make the first impression.

However, functionality is what determines if a user will continue to engage with the product or abandon it.

Functionality, in product design, refers to how well a product does what it's supposed to do—how well it solves the user's problem.

When you prioritize functionality, you put the user first, focusing on making a product that isn't just attractive but also intuitive, reliable, and easy to use.

Real-life Example

Let's think about Apple’s original iPod.

Visually, it was strikingly different from other MP3 players of its time due to its sleek design and distinctive wheel interface.

But what truly set it apart and led to its immense success was its functionality.

The wheel made navigating through a vast music library incredibly intuitive and effortless.

Apple's prioritization of functionality redefined the digital music player market and set a new standard for competitors.

Practical Framework

1. Understand your user's needs: Conduct user research to understand their pain points and what they need from your product. Use methods like surveys, user interviews, or focus groups.

2. Prototype early: Sketch your ideas or create wireframes before diving into the full design. This lets you test functionality early on.

3. Test, test, test: Conduct usability tests to check how easy it is for users to complete tasks using your product. This can help you identify any functionality issues that you may have overlooked.

4. Iterate based on feedback: After testing, you'll likely have valuable feedback from users. Use this to refine your design and improve its functionality.

Key Takeaway

Remember, aesthetics might catch the user's eye, but it's functionality that wins their heart.

By embracing functionality, you create products that not only look good but also deliver value to the users, solving their problems efficiently and intuitively.

This is a surefire way to set yourself apart in the product design industry.

Step 2: Value User Feedback

User feedback is an integral part of product design that many often overlook.

By embracing user feedback, you don't just design based on your assumptions or personal preferences but based on the actual needs and preferences of your users.

It's the clearest window into what works and what doesn't about your product from the perspective of the people who matter most: your users.

User feedback is invaluable for several reasons.

It highlights usability issues that you may have missed, provides insights into how users are interacting with your product, and reveals opportunities for new features or improvements.

Additionally, it fosters a sense of community among users; they feel heard and valued when their feedback is taken seriously and acted upon.

Real-life Example

A fantastic real-world example of valuing user feedback is the case of Slack, the popular workplace communication tool.

In its early days, Slack actively sought and encouraged feedback from its users.

They even made a "#feedback" channel to make it easier for users to share their thoughts.

This commitment to incorporating user feedback helped Slack improve its product, drive user engagement, and ultimately, become a leader in their space.

Practical Framework

1. Establish feedback channels: Provide users with easy ways to give feedback. This could be through in-app surveys, feedback forms, or even dedicated channels on your platform, like Slack did.

2. Encourage feedback: Actively ask users for their thoughts and opinions. This not only provides you with valuable insights but also shows users that you value their input.

3. Analyze and categorize feedback: Organize the feedback you receive into categories (e.g., usability issues, feature requests, etc.) to make it easier to review and act upon.

4. Respond and act on feedback: Whenever possible, respond to feedback to acknowledge receipt and thank the user. More importantly, act on the feedback you receive. Make necessary changes and improvements based on what your users tell you.

5. Communicate changes: If you make a change based on user feedback, let your users know! This shows them that their feedback is valuable and encourages further engagement.

Key Takeaway

By valuing user feedback, you put your users at the center of your design process, which can lead to a more successful, user-focused product.

This is an essential trait of high-earning product designers who understand that their users are the lifeblood of their products.

Step 3: Prioritize Continuous Learning

In the ever-evolving world of product design, continuous learning is not just an asset—it's a necessity.

This industry changes quickly, with new design trends, tools, technologies, and user preferences emerging all the time.

As a product designer, if you're not learning and growing, you're falling behind.

Prioritizing continuous learning allows you to stay on top of industry changes, improve your skills, and offer more value as a designer.

It empowers you to create more innovative, effective, and user-friendly designs, setting you apart from those who remain static in their knowledge and skills.

Real-life Example

For instance, think about the rise of mobile-first design.

Designers who recognized this shift early and learned to design effectively for mobile platforms had a significant advantage over those who were late to catch on.

Companies like Uber, which emphasized a mobile-first approach, were able to disrupt entire industries because they understood and adapted to evolving user behaviors.

Practical Framework

1. Regularly read industry blogs and articles: Websites like Smashing Magazine, Design Memo, Medium's UX Collective, and Nielsen Norman Group offer a wealth of knowledge on current trends and best practices.

2. Attend webinars and conferences: These events offer valuable insights from industry leaders and give you a glimpse of the future of product design.

3. Learn from your peers: Collaborate with fellow designers, participate in design communities, and don’t shy away from asking questions. Learning from others' experiences and perspectives can offer invaluable insights.

4. Take courses and certifications: Online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning offer a variety of courses in different aspects of product design.

5. Experiment with new tools: The right tools can make your work more efficient and effective. Familiarize yourself with new tools and technologies that are shaping the industry.

Key Takeaway

Remember, as Picasso famously said, "I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it."

By prioritizing continuous learning, you'll not only adapt to the changing landscape of product design but also propel your career forward.

After all, the most successful product designers are those who never stop learning.

Step 4: Collaborate Effectively

In the product design world, rarely does a successful product come from a lone wolf.

More often than not, it's a result of effective collaboration.

Collaboration fuels creativity, encourages a diversity of perspectives, and aids in identifying and addressing blind spots in the design process.

By collaborating effectively, you get to leverage the skills, knowledge, and experience of your colleagues.

This can lead to more comprehensive and well-rounded designs.

Moreover, collaboration fosters a stronger sense of ownership and commitment to the product among the team, leading to higher motivation and productivity.

Real-life Example

Consider the creation of the Amazon Echo, a product of Amazon's Lab126.

The Echo, an innovative smart speaker, was not the result of a single genius but rather the effort of an extensive team of engineers, designers, and product managers.

Their effective collaboration led to a product that went on to define a whole new category of tech—the smart home.

Practical Framework

1. Foster open communication: Create an environment where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. This can be achieved through regular meetings, brainstorming sessions, and open-door policies.

2. Clarify roles and responsibilities: Make sure everyone in the team understands their role and what is expected of them. This helps avoid confusion and ensures everyone is working towards a common goal.

3. Leverage collaboration tools: Tools like Slack, Trello, or Figma can streamline communication, task management, and collaborative design work, making the process smoother and more efficient.

4. Embrace diverse perspectives: Encourage team members from different backgrounds or departments to share their viewpoints. This diversity can lead to more creative and comprehensive solutions.

5. Resolve conflicts constructively: Disagreements are inevitable in any team, but handling them constructively is crucial. Facilitate open discussions, focus on the issue and not the person, and seek win-win solutions.

Key Takeaway

Remember, effective collaboration is a key skill that can separate a good designer from a great one.

By fostering collaboration, you're not just producing better designs but also building stronger, more dynamic teams that can overcome challenges and deliver remarkable products.

Step 5: Dare to Innovate

Innovation is the lifeblood of the product design industry.

It's what separates good products from game-changing ones.

It involves questioning the status quo, challenging established norms, and daring to think differently.

When you innovate, you push boundaries and create products that not only meet user needs but also redefine expectations.

Innovation is crucial because it drives progress.

It's the cornerstone of competitive advantage and growth.

Without it, your designs may become stagnant, and in the rapidly evolving world of product design, standing still is falling behind.

Real-life Example

Consider Tesla's approach to the automotive industry.

Instead of sticking to the standard design and engineering norms, Tesla innovated at every level—be it the battery technology, vehicle design, or user interface.

This disruptive innovation has set them apart from their competition, transforming the electric vehicle market and pushing the entire automotive industry toward a more sustainable future.

Practical Framework

1. Encourage curiosity: Never stop asking questions. "Why?" and "What if?" can be powerful tools for innovation.

2. Embrace failure: Not all ideas will be winners, and that's okay. Every failure is an opportunity to learn and iterate. Don't fear failure; learn from it.

3. Foster diversity: A diversity of backgrounds and perspectives can lead to a broader range of ideas and a higher potential for innovation.

4. Stay user-focused: True innovation is not just about novelty, but about creating value for users. Always keep your users' needs and pain points at the forefront of your innovation efforts.

5. Prototype and iterate: Develop prototypes for your innovative ideas and test them with real users. Gather feedback, iterate, and improve. Remember, innovation is a process, not a one-time event.

Key Takeaway

Remember, daring to innovate can be risky, but it's a risk worth taking.

As a product designer, your ability to innovate can redefine user experiences, disrupt industries, and ultimately define your career.

So dare to innovate, and who knows? You might just design the next big thing.

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That’s it!

As always, thanks for reading.

I'd love to hear from you. What did you find most insightful this week? Reply to this email and let's discuss.

Look forward to connecting with you next Monday.

Cheers,

John