Key Pre-Screening Questions to Ask

What is your experience with designing connected products?

It's valuable to ask a potential designer about their individual experience with designing connected products.

How familiar are you with IoT and smart devices?

Understanding a designer’s familiarity with IoT and smart devices can provide a clear picture of their expertise and comfort level with the technology.

Have you ever designed a product used in a connected system?

Experience designing products for use in connected systems is critical for understanding the larger ecosystem within which a product will operate.

What software tools do you use for designing connected products and why?

The software tools that a designer employs can significantly impact the outcome of the design process, helping to bring great ideas to life.

Can you explain how you approach the design process for connected products?

Understanding a designer’s methodological approach to connected product design can provide insight into their thought process, their creativity, and their problem-solving skills.

What design methodologies do you follow when working on connected products?

Design methodologies can vary significantly among designers, and it is important to have a clear understanding of the designer's approach to their work.

Could you describe a challenging connected product design project you've worked on?

This question provides the designer with the opportunity to recount their experiences and insights gleaned from working on a complex project.

What type of connected products have you designed in the past?

The type of connected products a designer has worked on in the past can give a better understanding of their experience and specialization.

Are you familiar with designing connected products for a range of platforms like mobile, web, and wearables?

Connected products span a wide range of platforms, and familiarity with designing for these different applications is key.

Can you describe a time when a design of yours improved the user experience of a connected product?

This question provides the designer with the chance to showcase their ability to create user-centric designs that genuinely improve user experience.

How do you test your design ideas for connected products?

Ideas need to be validated through testing, and a good designer should have a robust testing methodology in place.

What process would you follow to understand user needs for new connected products?

The user needs are paramount, and thus it is crucial to understand a designer's approach to understanding these needs during the design process.

Do you have a working knowledge of programming languages relevant to connected product design?

While not essential, a working knowledge of relevant programming languages can be a valuable asset in a connected product designer.

Can you discuss your experience with data-driven design for connected products?

Data-driven design can guide the design process, ensuring objective, user-centered design decisions.

How do you ensure the security and privacy aspects are considered during connected product design?

With the rise of data breaches and privacy issues, it's essential that a designer consistently accounts for security during the connected product design process.

Do you have experience with hardware design for connected products?

Hardware design experience can potentially increase a designer's effectiveness, by understanding the physical limitations and possibilities of the eventual product.

How do you stay updated on new trends and technologies in the connected product industry?

Staying ahead of the game in an ever-evolving industry requires constant learning and adaptation.

How do you prioritize features when designing a connected product?

Prioritizing features is often one of the most difficult tasks in product design, as it involves balancing user needs, technical feasibility, and business objectives.

Do you have any experience in working collaboratively with software engineers or firmware developers for designing a connected product?

When designing a connected product, it's necessary to work collaboratively and cross-functionally, often times with software engineers or firmware developers to ensure a fully functioning, cohesive product.