How can feedback help you identify your strengths and weaknesses in product design?

Drawing from my personal experience, feedback in product design has been an invaluable asset in refining and perfecting various projects. In one particular instance, during the development of a mobile app, we received feedback from beta users highlighting that the user interface was confusing. This feedback prompted us to conduct usability testing sessions, where we observed users interact with the app. We realized that some of our design choices, which seemed logical to us, were confusing for our users. We made iterative changes to the interface, simplifying navigation and enhancing user guidance. When we retested the updated version, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with users expressing satisfaction and ease of use.

We use the design feedback to understand how well we solved a design problem. The proper feedback is not about "I like/I don't like the design", it has to be constructive, offer explanations, ideas, and questions. Feedback helps answer questions like: Have we missed anything important? Are there any other (better) ways to solve the problem? How well does the solution work and solve the problem? It is crucial to remember that the design feedback is not about how good the designer/person is, it is solely about the work that we are reviewing. So, I'd like to remind you – do not ever take design feedback personally, because you can and will improve your work. Especially when you use the design feedback frequently.

Feedback is the heartbeat of progress. In product design, it encompasses insights, critiques, and observations from stakeholders, users, and fellow designers. It's not just a commentary; it's a dialogue that shapes the evolution of your creative endeavor.

Feedback on product design varies based on the source. End users evaluate the design's effectiveness in achieving goals with minimal effort. They seek a quick and easy experience. Conversely, a product owner may prioritize displaying key information prominently, minimizing clicks. The design aligns with the owner's anticipated user behavior, maximizing business value. For instance, in a movie booking website, the owner may guide the designer to emphasize not only ticket sales but also popcorn, aligning with envisioned user interactions to enhance overall business value.

When you unveil your creation to the audience, every interaction becomes valuable feedback. In the realm of product design, specifying the desired feedback is crucial for informed decision-making and product enhancement. Embracing negative feedback is equally vital, offering insights into user pain points and fueling a drive for improvement. Feedback serves as a cornerstone, validating our efforts and propelling continuous improvement, shaping not only the product but also our own growth. It's an indispensable asset in the iterative process of refining and perfecting our work.

Feedback is important for product design because it helps designers understand their users' needs and preferences. It can also help identify problems in the design process and outcomes. Feedback can provide new perspectives and insights that can lead to innovation.

In my design projects, feedback has proven indispensable. For instance, during the development of a mobile app, consistent user feedback was pivotal. Through interviews and surveys, we grasped user pain points, shaping our initial design decisions. Interactive prototypes allowed us to refine the interface based on user suggestions, ensuring an intuitive design. Usability testing revealed unforeseen issues, enabling us to enhance the overall user experience. This iterative, feedback-driven approach resulted in a well-received product, emphasizing the crucial role of feedback in successful design processes.

Feedbacks are a cornerstone of your journey towards growth. Initially, we often resist to feedbacks, it is because most people turn out just to be a Critic, end up with destructive criticism without knowing the consequences of their behaviour. But as growth is necessary for your journey, you need to learn how to deal with any kind of feedback making it a support step to climb the ladder. Once you understand its importance, you'll start shining bright with polished skills each day. We designers are dedicated to make the visuals aesthetics, but our main focus should be the client and their requirements. This is where feedback help us read the mind of people, what they need & what they are looking for is all we should focused to deliver.

Es esencial que durante el proceso de dise?o existan etapas de revision donde se reciba esta retroalimentacion de diversos actores y usuarios del producto a modo de filtro de nuestros propios sesgos de análisis y de poser encontrar distintas formas de interacción (y posibles fallas o problemas) entre nuestro producto, el usuario y el ecosistema en el que se desenvuelve.

Picture your design process as a solo expedition – solitary and isolated. Alone with no compass. Now, imagine infusing it with regular feedback along the way. Apart from ensuring that all expectations and visions are aligned, feedback bridges the gap between vision and reality, offering diverse perspectives that can transform a good design into an exceptional one. Nurturing a culture where feedback is welcomed, appreciated and celebrated is the difference between having a team of geniuses and a team of robots.

There are 5 great ways to receive product feedback: 1. Segment your users & create user engagement strategies. Some users prefer online comments, others enjoy sharing stories, while some want to be involved as advisors & contributors. Find what motivates them . 2. Be clear about your intentions. Set expectations that this is an active dialogue to shape the future of the product experience. 3. Implement some of the feedback to recruit existing participants as advocates. They can actively scout for others particicpants to shape the product. 4. Be organized & metric-driven. Credit the people who give you feedback. 5. Think about what you can offer in return, although it often doesn't need to be monetary.

Sure, getting feedback for your product design can be a bit tricky. I've been there while working on a mobile app. People had all sorts of opinions – some liked how it looked, while others had issues with how it worked. What I learned is that being open to feedback is super important. Even if it's not what you want to hear, it can help you make your design better. But not all feedback is gold. Some might not make much sense or be helpful. It's okay to be picky about which feedback you take seriously. I learned to focus on the feedback that gives me a clear idea of what needs improving. So, the key takeaway: Stay open, say thanks, and choose the feedback that really helps you make your design awesome!

Feedbacks shall be documented and translated into the measurable & parameters and then designers will be able to work towards the tweakable parameters. Consider anybody outside the design room, except Product Owners are customers even though they are your Cross Functional Team Members and receive their inputs. Translate their critics, cons, anticipated problems wisely into the tweaking parameters and improve the product betterment towards a more reliable one...

Once, one designer teacher said that a designer is a worker, someone who design….and not an artist that made an amazing masterpiece. If the people ask to change something about your work….you will change. Is a work and we, designers need get more humility!!! (It’s not easy I know??)

Tenho visto muito disso! Pessoas que se apaixonam pela sua própria cria??o, isso dificulta o processo e impacta diretamente na análise fria e racional dos feedbacks, que s?o de extrema importancia para a melhoria da solu??o. Muitas vezes é difícil para profissionais em início de carreira, mas quanto mais rápido o indivíduo se der conta de que está desenhando um produto para milhares de usuários e n?o para ele apenas, mais rápido ele define os melhores parametros para uma solu??o que agrade a maioria.

Handling feedback in product design might seem overwhelming, especially when it's a bunch of different opinions or even conflicting ones. Here's a way I dealt with it: Categorize: First, I put all the feedback into categories. Like, is it about how easy it is to use, how it looks, or whether users like it or not? Analysis: Next, I dug into each category and figured out which feedback needed fixing ASAP, and which things I could deal with later. Putting it Together: Then, I summed it all up into a neat summary. Visuals like charts or graphs helped me show the main points clearly. Remember, dealing with feedback is like sorting through a puzzle – it might be tricky at first, but once you piece it together, you see the bigger picture!

In product design, soliciting feedback is imperative for creating user-centric solutions and ensuring the success of a product. Documenting all feedback is the easiest way to ensure understanding of users perspectives and aids in making informed design decisions. When gathering feedback, encourage clarity by asking users or stakeholders to explain their thoughts and break down their feedback into actionable tasks. Moreover, separating feedback from feelings allows for objective analysis, fostering an environment where constructive criticism can drive iterative improvements in the design process.

Document feedback systematically and use it as a learning tool. Track changes made in response to feedback and analyze the impact on the product's performance and user satisfaction. Gather input from various sources, including users, stakeholders, and experts. Diverse perspectives can highlight different aspects of your design. Define Clear Objectives: Clearly outline your design objectives and communicate them to those providing feedback. This helps evaluators focus on specific aspects that align with your goals.

Again, the product by itself reflects the Engineer's strength and weakness. Some entry level engineers make products which may have some flaws due to lack of knowledge, application and other considerations and get to know their weakness later and learn from the outcomes. While, the experience engineers, who know their strength and weakness, apply predictions over the product's success thru some techniques, understand the likelihood of the product by consumers or customers and improve the designs and product before launching to the market.

O tempo é nosso amigo. Em minha carreira de designer gráfico existe sempre um problema entre cores de telas de monitores, smartphones, impress?o em impressoras domésticas e impressoras offset: as cores nunca batem! O cliente quer o que está na tela, mas como levar isso pro papel com as limita??es do CMYK?? Com o passar do tempo, adquirimos uma expertise capaz de sanar este tipo de problema. Com o design de produtos é a mesma coisa, o tempo em cima dos projetos nos trazem expertise para já sanar os pontos fracos a cada projeto, nos tornamos especializados em mitigar pontos fracos! :)

Analyze your past projects regularly to identify successful elements and areas needing improvement. Seek feedback from different departments for a well-rounded perspective, paying close attention to recurring themes that suggest where you can focus on making improvements. Utilize your strengths by specializing in those areas and providing mentorship, while working on your weaknesses through dedicated practice and ongoing education. It's important to set SMART goals for yourself and monitor your progress to make certain you are developing your skills in line with the evolving design landscape.

Feedback in product design is crucial for identifying strengths and weaknesses. Gathering user feedback through surveys, usability testing, and reviews can highlight areas where your design excels and where improvements are needed. Analyze feedback for recurring themes, paying attention to positive comments that indicate strengths and constructive criticism that points out weaknesses. Additionally, comparing your product against competitors and industry standards can provide valuable insights. Regularly seeking feedback throughout the design process allows you to iteratively refine your product and enhance its overall quality.

O mais interessante de levar em considera??o um feedback negativo e trabalhar para melhorar neste ponto, é que o dono do feedback, na próxima atualiza??o, perceberá a melhoria e até sentirá orgulho de ter ajudado na melhoria. Muitas vezes este próprio usuário se engaja em divulgar o produto!

Continuous Improvement Design is rarely perfect on the first try. Feedback allows for continuous iteration and improvement. As users interact with the product, they may discover new ways to use it or encounter unforeseen challenges. Regular feedback loops enable the design team to iterate and refine the product over time. Each iteration can address the issues identified in previous rounds, leading to a final product that is more polished, functional, and satisfying for users.