What is a whiteboard challenge?

This is a design challenge that you complete in front of an interview team or hiring manager.

Employers are often using these challenges to learn more about your process, how you think, how you collaborate, how self aware and reflective you are.

The UX Interview Process

1. Phone screening

2. On-site or phone interview

3. Portfolio presentation

4. Product/design critique (Optional)

5. Design exercise

6. Second Informal interview (Optional)

N/B: Whiteboard challenges can be done physically, which takes an hour, or remotely, which are take-home exercises that take longer to complete.

A framework pioneered by IDEO in order to unlock creativity and innovation is the "How might we?" question to turn challenges into opportunities.

Whiteboard Challenge Framework

1. Understand the problem

2. Define the problem

3. Generate ideas

4. Flesh out solutions

5. Summarize and reflect

Obstacles and mistakes to overcome

1. Expect the unexpected

2. The fear of public speaking

3. Focusing too much on the final sketches

How to ace your next whiteboard challenge

1. Develop and follow a framework

2. Take a public speaking class

3. Purposeful practice

4. Get a UX mentor

Key takeaways/learnings

The more I venture into this challenge, the more I realize how out of touch I am with being a product designer. I am beginning to realize the importance of self-awareness as a skill I need to work on and that pleasant interfaces mean nothing without due processes backed by user research.

References

• "What Is A Whiteboard Challenge? (UX Design) (YouTube) 2 Sep. 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llZoDw2eU58

• "Ace Your UX Whiteboard Challenge [Expert Guide]—CareerFoundry." 25 Oct. 2021, https://careerfoundry.com/en/blog/ux-design/whiteboard-challenge/?utm_source=youtube.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=UXD_WhiteboardChallengeWebinar_020921&utm_term=blog.

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