UX Design Whiteboard Interview Challenge

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A UX (User Experience) Design Whiteboard Interview Challenge is a task given to a UX designer during a job interview where the candidate is asked to solve a design problem or demonstrate their design thinking process on a whiteboard. This type of interview assesses the candidate’s ability to think critically, solve problems, and communicate their design decisions effectively in a limited time frame.

The challenge typically involves discussing a scenario or a problem related to user experience, and the candidate is asked to sketch or diagram their design solution on a whiteboard while explaining their thought process. The interviewer may evaluate various aspects of the candidate’s skills, including problem-solving, information architecture, interaction design, and communication skills.

The challenge may cover a range of topics, such as:

• User Persona: Understanding and defining the target users for a given product or service.

 

• Information Architecture: Structuring and organizing information to create an intuitive and user-friendly experience.

 

• Task Flows: Designing the user journey through a specific task or process.

 

• Wireframing: Creating low-fidelity sketches or diagrams to represent the layout and structure of a user interface.

 

• Problem Solving: Addressing potential challenges or issues related to the user experience.

 

• Communication Skills: Clearly articulating design decisions, rationale, and considerations.

 

• Critical Thinking: Evaluating and making decisions based on user needs, business goals, and technical constraints.

 

These challenges aim to simulate real-world design scenarios and allow the interviewer to assess how a candidate thinks through design problems and communicates their ideas visually. It’s an opportunity for the candidate to showcase their skills, creativity, and ability to work under pressure.

 

Example of Whiteboard Interview Challenge

Challenge: Design a Task Management App for a Busy Professional

Context:

Imagine you are designing a task management app for a busy professional who needs to manage their work tasks efficiently. The app should help them prioritize, organize, and complete tasks seamlessly.

Requirements:

• User Persona:
  • Name: Alex Mitchell
  • Age: 35
  • Occupation: Marketing Manager
  • Characteristics: Busy, frequently in meetings, deals with multiple projects simultaneously, values efficiency.

 

• Goals and Tasks:
  • Prioritize and organize tasks based on urgency and importance.
  • Quickly add new tasks on the go.
  • Set deadlines and reminders.
  • Easily switch between different projects and tasks.
  • Track and measure progress.

 

• Considerations:
  • The design should be mobile-friendly as Alex is always on the move.
  • Intuitive and easy to use, considering the limited time Alex has.
  • Design should support both a quick glance at tasks and a deep dive into details.

Design Process:

• Understanding the User:
  • Discuss the user persona and their needs.
  • Identify potential pain points in managing tasks for someone like Alex.

 

• Ideation:
  • Brainstorm and sketch different features and elements of the app.
  • Prioritize features based on the user’s goals and tasks.

 

• Wireframing:
  • Create a basic wireframe of the main screen.
  • Include key elements such as task list, task details, project switcher, etc.

 

• Information Architecture:
  • Define the structure of the app, including the hierarchy of information.
  • Consider how the user can easily navigate between projects and tasks.

 

• Prototyping:
  • Develop a basic prototype, focusing on the key interactions.
  • Highlight how Alex can quickly add, prioritize, and complete tasks.

 

• Usability Testing:
  • Discuss potential usability issues and how they can be addressed.
  • Propose ways to gather feedback from users for iterative improvements.

 

• Visual Design:
  • Consider the visual elements that align with a professional and efficient aesthetic.
  • Discuss the color scheme, typography, and overall visual hierarchy.

 

• Presentation:
  • Present your design to the interviewer, explaining your thought process.
  • Be prepared to defend your design choices.