Working with Limited Information

“Small pieces of information may in themselves look to be of no importance but may clarify things when taken together.” - Sherlock Holmes, Wisteria Lodge

Design is like solving a big puzzle. As product designers, we go beyond just making things look good. “The design is not just what it looks like and feels like. The design is how it works” — Steve Jobs. We tackle the unknown, using our creativity and a step-by-step approach to improve how our customers experience our products. Even though we often work without all the pieces, we've learned how to make educated guesses and keep getting better.

There's this cool idea called Gestalt psychology. It's all about how we see things not just as separate parts, but as a whole. For us at Zillow, it means we look at every piece of a design problem—like who we're designing for, our budget, and deadlines—as parts of a bigger picture. Together, these parts create something unique.

When we hit a design problem, we break it down into smaller bits. This isn't a solo mission; we team up with researchers, engineers, and product managers. Everyone brings something to the table. By splitting the problem up, we start to see how it all fits together, following the Gestalt principle.

Sure, we face hurdles like resource constraints and not having all the info. But we've got tricks up our sleeves. Sometimes, we make educated guesses or use patterns we know work well. Most importantly, we truly care about the success of each project. This isn't just about getting by; it's about pushing forward with passion, even when things are tough. This commitment helps us navigate through the unknown, step by step, towards a solution. It's this blend of observation, imagination, and perseverance that keeps us moving forward, bit by bit, toward a solution.

In projects, from planning new features to iterating on designs, we put these ideas into action. We share our thoughts, get feedback, and refine. Design is never "done." We're always learning and adapting based on new feedback and tech.

Wrapping it up, the big lesson from Gestalt psychology—seeing the whole as more than just its parts—really shines through in our work. It's about piecing together different elements to craft solutions that truly stand out. Facing the unknown and constantly improving isn't just our job; it's what keeps us excited about design. Ultimately, it's all about making a difference for our users, now and in the future.

How do you approach the unknown in your design projects, and what strategies have helped you piece together solutions when you have missing information?