The design phase is an exciting part of product development. It's where all the plans and ideas you've gathered as a Product Manager (PM) start taking shape visually. While designers handle the creative side, a PM's job is to ensure the final design meets the needs of the product and its users.

Evaluating Whether a Design Is Good

Design can be subjective, but there are some commonly accepted standards you can use to guide your judgment:

Writing a Rock-Solid PRD

A well-structured PRD is every PM's best friend, especially during the design phase. This document captures all the product nuances, user scenarios, and business goals in one place, acting as the single source of truth for the entire team. When designers begin translating these requirements into actual user interfaces, they'll rely heavily on the PRD to understand what the product should do and how it should feel.

Supplement your PRD with wireframes or low-fidelity mockups to clarify user flows and help designers grasp your vision faster. Even if they're just hand-drawn sketches, these visuals can significantly reduce the number of revision rounds later on.

Collaborating with UI/UX Designers

As a PM, your primary responsibility during the design stage is communication—not drawing the layouts yourself. You set the context and let designers work their magic. At the same time, you can:

• Clarify Requirements: Offer prompt, detailed clarifications to keep the process moving smoothly.
• Help Research References: Share references to inspire designers and speed up their workflow.
• Provide Meaningful Feedback: Focus on how the design solves problems rather than subjective preferences.
• Trust Their Expertise: Encourage designers' ideas for better solutions.

Learning Design Jargon

Understanding design terms makes for smoother conversations and faster decisions. Here are some examples of common UI jargon you should know:

Familiarizing yourself with these and other common UI/UX terms lets you discuss layouts and flows without confusion. When you speak the same language as your design team, it’s easier to spot potential problems, share feedback, and reach alignment faster.

Bringing It All Together

In the design stage, a PM's role revolves around clarity, collaboration, and constructive feedback. Your PRD becomes indispensable, your communication with UI/UX designers ensures everyone's aiming for the same goals, and a basic understanding of design jargon smooths out day-to-day interactions. Finally, using a simple evaluation framework can help you judge—and justify—why certain designs do or don't work.

By keeping these ideas in mind, you'll not only help your designers craft an interface users will love, but also make the entire design process more efficient and enjoyable for the whole team.