#118 Mastering Whiteboarding and Take-Home Assignments in UX Design
Honest UX Talks
Deep Dive
What are whiteboarding exercises and take-home assignments in UX design?
Whiteboarding exercises are collaborative design challenges where candidates solve a design problem in real-time, often using tools like Miro or FigJam. Take-home assignments are design tasks given to candidates to complete in their own time, usually to assess deeper thinking and craft skills.
What are some common examples of whiteboarding challenges?
Common whiteboarding challenges include designing an e-commerce flow, a booking flow, or more innovative prompts like designing an elevator for a 1,000-floor building or an ATM for five-year-old kids.
When should you accept or decline take-home assignments?
You should decline take-home assignments if they are unpaid and require more than a few hours, especially if they involve redesigning a company's product. Accept them if they are paid, shorter, and if you are excited about the challenge and the role.
What tips can help you successfully complete whiteboarding challenges?
Manage your time effectively, spend the first 15 minutes understanding the problem, the next 15 minutes ideating, and the last 10-15 minutes sketching. Be aware of what the company is looking for and align your approach with their needs. Show personality and creativity, and use the whiteboarding session as a collaborative conversation.
How can you stand out during a take-home assignment?
Embrace your strengths and offer a unique angle. Use critical thinking to align with the company's challenges and context. For bigger companies, focus on storytelling and strategy. For startups, emphasize hands-on, practical solutions. Design a structured presentation that highlights the problem and your solution.
Why are take-home assignments controversial in the UX design industry?
Take-home assignments are controversial because they often take a significant amount of unpaid time from candidates. Some designers feel it is unethical, especially if the assignment involves redesigning a company's product. However, they can be useful for companies to assess deeper thinking and craft skills.
What is the typical structure of a whiteboarding challenge?
A whiteboarding challenge usually lasts 45-60 minutes and is divided into three main stages: understanding the problem (15 minutes), ideating (15 minutes), and sketching or conceptualizing (10-15 minutes). It's important to manage time and stay focused on the key aspects the company is looking for.
How can you make the most out of a take-home assignment?
Treat it as a creative exercise and be bold. Use the assignment to showcase your unique approach and personality. If the company is not paying for the assignment, ask if you can demonstrate your skills in a different way, such as showing a previous project or a quick exploration of a specific feature.
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