Table of Contents
- 20 ways to defend your design like a boss
- You don’t need to reinvent the (UX/UI) wheel
- 🔒 Unlock best practices
- 1. Align with business goals
- 2. Ground decisions in user research
- 3. Educate stakeholders on design principles
- 4. Present multiple options
- 5. Visualize progress transparently
- 6. Reiterate user personas and scenarios
- 7. Highlight constraints and considerations
- 8. Seek early and frequent feedback
- 9. Stay calm and confident
- 10. Demonstrate previous successes
- 11. Use analogies and storytelling
- 12. Prepare for objections
- 13. Facilitate collaborative workshops
- 14. Highlight industry standards and trends
- 15. Be open to feedback and iterate
- 16. Emphasize the cost of change
- 17. Leverage competitive analysis
- 18. Use A/B Testing to settle disputes
- 19. Tie your decisions to accessibility
- 20. Know when to compromise
- Summary
- TL;DR
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20 ways to defend your design like a boss
We've all been there—pouring our creativity and expertise into a design, only to face a barrage of questions and critiques from stakeholders.
Early in my UX career, I often found myself struggling to convey the rationale behind my design choices. Was it a lack of confidence, or perhaps I didn't have the right tools to make compelling arguments?
This led me to ponder: when designers defend their work, is it driven by ego, or is it truly in the best interest of the project?
Design thrives on well-orchestrated feedback loops involving users, designers, developers, and stakeholders. Skipping steps in this process can lead to poor inputs and, consequently, subpar outcomes; sometimes causing long-term damage.
Protecting the design process isn't just about safeguarding our work; it's about ensuring the best results for users and the business.
So, how can we advocate our designs effectively?
You don’t need to reinvent the (UX/UI) wheel
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🔒 Unlock best practices
1. Align with business goals
Before diving into design, ensure you understand the project's objectives.
When presenting your work, articulate how your design choices support these goals. This alignment demonstrates that your decisions are strategic and purpose-driven.
2. Ground decisions in user research
Base your design choices on user research and data. Support your decisions with insights from usability testing, surveys, and analytics.
Quantitative data can demonstrate the effect of your design on metrics such as conversion and task success rates. Qualitative data allows you to explain how your design decisions are user-centered and improve the overall experience.
3. Educate stakeholders on design principles
Not everyone is familiar with design best practices.
Take the time to explain the principles guiding your decisions, helping stakeholders understand the "why" behind your choices. This fosters trust and reduces pushback.
4. Present multiple options
Offering alternative designs shows that you've explored various solutions.
Discussing the pros and cons of each option can lead stakeholders to appreciate the thought process behind your final recommendation.
5. Visualize progress transparently
This transparency allows stakeholders to see the evolution of the design and understand the rationale behind each iteration.
6. Reiterate user personas and scenarios
Remind stakeholders of the target users and their needs.
Framing your design decisions around specific user scenarios emphasizes that choices are made to enhance user experience.
7. Highlight constraints and considerations
Discuss any technical, business, or time constraints that influenced your design.
This context helps stakeholders understand the practical reasons behind certain decisions.
8. Seek early and frequent feedback
Engage stakeholders throughout the design process.
Regular check-ins can prevent major disagreements later and make stakeholders feel involved and valued.
9. Stay calm and confident
Maintain a composed and confident demeanor throughout the defense.
Confidence in your design decisions can instill confidence in others. If you are unsure about something, admit it and express your willingness to consider alternative solutions.
10. Demonstrate previous successes
Showcase past projects where your design decisions led to positive outcomes. This track record can build credibility and trust with stakeholders. Use data to present the wins.
11. Use analogies and storytelling
Sometimes, complex design concepts can be made relatable through analogies or stories. This approach can make your explanations more engaging and understandable.
12. Prepare for objections
Anticipate potential criticisms and have reasoned responses ready. This preparation shows that you've thoroughly considered various perspectives.
13. Facilitate collaborative workshops
Organize sessions where stakeholders can participate in the design process. This involvement can lead to a shared sense of ownership and reduce resistance.
14. Highlight industry standards and trends
Reference current design trends or industry standards that support your decisions. This external validation can reinforce the appropriateness of your choices.
15. Be open to feedback and iterate
Show willingness to refine your designs based on constructive feedback. This flexibility demonstrates that you're committed to achieving the best possible outcome.
16. Emphasize the cost of change
Explain the potential implications of late-stage design changes, such as increased costs or delays. This can help stakeholders understand the importance of sticking to agreed-upon decisions.
17. Leverage competitive analysis
Showcase how competitors approach similar design challenges and how your design positions the product favorably.
18. Use A/B Testing to settle disputes
If there’s a major disagreement, suggest an A/B test. Data-backed results remove subjectivity from the discussion and provide clear insights into what works best for users.
19. Tie your decisions to accessibility
Stakeholders may push back on certain design elements, but if those choices improve accessibility, they become non-negotiable.
Explain how inclusive design benefits all users and aligns with legal and ethical standards.
20. Know when to compromise
Not every battle is worth fighting. If a stakeholder’s feedback doesn’t fundamentally harm the user experience, consider incorporating their input.
Strategic compromises build trust and can lead to smoother collaboration in the long run.
Summary
Defending your design isn’t about winning arguments; it’s about advocating for the user while balancing business and technical constraints.
The best UX designers don’t just push back; they educate, collaborate, and adapt.
At the end of the day, it’s not about proving you’re right; it’s about ensuring the best possible outcome for users and the business.
If you can master that balance, you’ll not only gain stakeholder trust but also elevate the impact of your work.
TL;DR
You don’t need a fancy title to defend your work.
Tie your design choices to user value, data, and accessibility. Be proactive, communicate clearly, and know when to stand firm (and when to let go).
Defending your design isn’t about ego—it’s about making the best decisions for the user and the business.
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