How to know if you’re doing a great job as a product designer?
If you’ve ever questioned your impact as a designer, know that you’re not alone.
I’m in a rut. Feels like I’m not delivering any value. I keep focusing on details no one cares about (colors, typography, and icon stroke width) but clients aren’t happy.
This was me almost 10 years ago.
Back then, I thought the problem was my design skills. Maybe the buttons weren’t quite right, or the layout could be cleaner. But here’s the twist: it wasn’t about the pixels; it was about the purpose.
Founders and businesses weren’t looking for “perfect” designs — they wanted results. Once I shifted my focus to how design could drive real outcomes (more leads, lower bounce rates) everything clicked into place.
If you’ve ever questioned your impact as a designer, know that you’re not alone. It’s easy to fall into the trap of focusing on aesthetics over results, doubting your abilities, or wondering if your contributions matter. But how do you know if you’re truly doing a great job?
After years of navigating these questions, I’ve found three core areas that help define success: delivering business impact, contributing to your team’s efforts, and receiving positive feedback.
Are you delivering business impact?
At its core, design is a strategic tool for driving business growth. It’s not just about making things look good — it’s about solving problems, improving outcomes, and contributing to the bottom line. This realization transformed how I approached my work.
For example, instead of obsessing over the exact shade of a button, I shifted my focus to its function: does this button’s contrast and call-to-action drive conversions? Instead of worrying about typography sizes, I began asking, does this layout reduce bounce rates?
To evaluate whether your work is delivering business impact, ask yourself:
Are you hitting essential goals that align with business priorities?
Are your designs contributing to measurable outcomes (like higher sales, improved conversion rates, or reduced churn)?
One thing to keep in mind: you need to work with companies that value design’s strategic role. If the companies you work with see design as an afterthought, your impact will always feel limited.
When in doubt, look for ways to directly tie your work to business outcomes. This is one of the most reliable ways to demonstrate your true impact.
Are you contributing to the team’s efforts?
Design is rarely a solo effort. Your impact scales significantly when it’s part of a larger team effort. But contributing to your team’s success requires more than just completing your individual tasks. It means being proactive, collaborative, and sometimes stepping into roles outside your comfort zone.
Early in my career, I believed my job was just to “design things.” But as I grew, I realized that some of my most significant contributions came from pushing the team to prioritize critical work, finding unique customer insights, or coming up with ideas that sparked new directions for projects. These are the kinds of efforts that make you indispensable to your team.
To assess your contribution, ask yourself:
Are you bringing fresh ideas and perspectives to the table?
Have you made significant individual contributions that others on the team recognize?
Would your teammates or clients miss you if you left?
Remember, the higher you climb in your career, the more your contributions will shift from execution to strategy and leadership. That doesn’t mean you have to manage teams — not everyone wants to be a manager. I don’t. I found managing people to be one of the most draining periods of my career. I thrive in the craft of design and hands-on problem-solving. If leadership isn’t your thing, focus on being a force multiplier through your individual work.
Are you getting (positive) feedback regularly?
Feedback is one of the most critical tools for growth. Without it, you’re flying blind. Early in my career, I learned that feedback is not just about improving your work — it’s also about building trust and relationships with your team and clients.
The goal isn’t just to hit deadlines or meet expectations. It’s to create a lasting impression. You want people to say, “This designer is amazing” rather than just “They got the job done.”
Here are a few ways to build trust and ensure you’re getting positive feedback:
Understand your stakeholders. Before a project begins, take time to understand your clients or team’s goals, pain points, and expectations. This helps you frame your work in a way that resonates with them.
Check in regularly. Frequent communication builds trust and keeps everyone aligned. Regular updates and feedback loops show you’re invested in the process.
Set expectations and over-deliver. Doing what you say you’ll do builds respect, but exceeding expectations leaves a lasting impact.
Embrace your role as an expert. Confidence in your craft inspires confidence in your clients and teammates.
Ask yourself:
Are people eager to work with you again?
Do clients or executives actively seek your input or recommendations?
Positive feedback isn’t just a career boost, it’s a sign that you’re building meaningful relationships and delivering value beyond the work itself.
Wrapping up
Being a great product designer isn’t about perfection. It’s about impact, collaboration, and relationships. If you’re ever unsure about where you stand, ask yourself:
Are you delivering measurable business impact?
Are you making meaningful contributions to your team’s success?
Are you getting consistent, positive feedback from stakeholders?
These aren’t just metrics for success; they’re guideposts for growth. If you focus on these areas, you’ll not only know you’re doing a great job — you’ll be well on your way to an even greater career.