Designing by Doing

Why "jumping into UI design" can work too

Have you ever been told in a job interview that “jumping into UI design” is a big red flag? That you should always be able to explain how you gather context before even touching Figma? Have you ever been unsure about how to start a design project? As a designer, once you’re deemed “senior” enough, you’re expected to thrive in ambiguity—at least that’s what people assume. Yet, navigating that ambiguity can still be challenging, depending on the project’s complexity, the team, and the culture.

Most designers know that every project should start by seeking clarity—the why, how, when, what, and so on. What do we know, and what don’t we know? Some call this discovery; others call it “context building.” This approach is not only valid but should be the norm. Without clarity, how can you know what to design or how to approach it? The design process offers a rich array of methods. You might use a design sprint, desk research, generative research, user interviews, stakeholder interviews, or eve…