How Product Design Principles Shaped My Design Process for GlamGuide
Product design principles are the compass that guides product designers toward meaningful solutions. They ensure focus, consistency, and user-centered decision-making. By following these principles, designers can create products that are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and aligned with business goals.
In my journey to design GlamGuide, I leaned heavily on these principles to ensure the product met user needs while staying visually cohesive and functional. GlamGuide is a tool designed to make beauty service booking effortless, and my goal was to create an intuitive, high-functioning product that users would find both delightful and easy to navigate.
The Design Process Behind GlamGuide
To bring GlamGuide to life, I focused on simplicity, functionality, and strong visual product design principles. This included elements like clear visual hierarchy, typography, alignment, animation, consistency, interactivity, and color.
A significant portion of my process involved working closely with a target user to refine the color scheme. Together, we selected colors that aligned with the desired user perception, balancing elegance and approachability. We chose a shade of brown because of its neutral, earthy tones and warmth, which create a grounding effect that evokes a sense of safety—a fundamental principle that guides GlamGuide. By limiting the palette to the chosen scheme (primarily white, brown, and black), I ensured the product felt cohesive, fresh, and engaging from start to finish.
Consistency played a crucial role in maintaining a seamless user experience. I used the same design elements throughout the product to create a unified flow, making it simple for users to navigate and interact with GlamGuide.
Although I haven’t yet measured the success of GlamGuide as an MVP, early feedback from target users testing the Figma prototype has been encouraging. Their positive responses confirm that I’m heading in the right direction.
Key Product Design Principles in Action
Here are the product design principles I used to guide my process, categorized as aesthetic, functional, and emotional:
Aesthetic
Clear visual hierarchy: I organized elements like typography, size, and alignment to guide user attention naturally and make navigation effortless.
Consistency: By adhering to a defined color scheme and uniform design elements, I created a harmonious, professional look throughout the product.
Brand guidelines: I ensured GlamGuide followed a consistent visual identity that matched the brand’s goals and user expectations.
Functional
User-centered design: Every design decision was made with the user’s needs and goals at the forefront.
Usability testing: Feedback from target users helped me identify areas for improvement and refine the design for better functionality.
Feedback: I incorporated interactive elements that provided clear responses to user actions, ensuring they always knew what to expect.
Design systems: Established a system of reusable components streamlined my process and ensured consistency across the product.
Business objectives: I aligned design decisions with GlamGuide’s goal of being a reliable and efficient tool for booking beauty services.
User groups: Collaborating with target users helped me tailor the product to its intended audience.
Product principles: I defined key principles, such as simplicity and usability, to guide every design decision.
Emotional
Personal value: I aimed to deliver convenience and delight by creating an intuitive and visually appealing product.
Feedback: I integrated user wants and needs into the user experience design and interface.
Brand guidelines: Established a consistent and recognizable brand identity to foster emotional connection and trust with users.
Conclusion
Designing GlamGuide has been a rewarding experience that reinforced the importance of product design principles in creating user-centered, functional, and visually appealing products. The positive design feedback I’ve received so far tells me I’m on the right track and encourages me to keep refining the product and eventually launch it as an MVP.
