A Reflection on the App Design Process

As I finish my User Experience course, I learned a lesson that no book could have taught me. I wasn’t just designing a time management app; I was living on both sides of the design process simultaneously.

In one group, I was the Designer, translating a user’s vision into a functional interface. In another, I was the Customer, providing feedback on a peer’s work. Juggling these two roles was challenging, but it was also the most profound learning experience I’ve had.

Final prototype for the Time Management App!

What I Learned from Wearing Two Hats

The biggest revelation was how being a customer made me a better designer almost instantly. While acting as a customer for my peer, I struggled to articulate why a specific feature felt confusing. For instance, it was difficult to pinpoint why a set of ‘Task tabs’ left me unsure how to navigate.

This gave me incredible perspective. When I switched back to being a designer and received feedback from my own customer, such as requests for persistent calendar navigation or theme customization, I didn’t just hear a list of changes. I understood the feeling behind the request. I realized that feedback isn’t a critique; it’s a necessary perspective.

The best designers aren’t just the ones with the best technical skills; they’re the ones with the deepest empathy.

Strengths and Areas for Growth

I believe I succeeded as a Designer by fostering a collaborative conversation. While I await my customer’s reaction to the final footer and page designs, I am confident that this user-centered approach resulted in a functional, navigable app.

The biggest challenge was the mental switch. In one hour, I’d be focused on component logic and flow; in the next, I’d have to focus entirely on my gut feelings as a user, ignoring the technical “how.”

If I were to do it again, I would be even more intentional about documenting my experience as a customer. I might keep a journal of my frustrations and “aha!” moments to better guide my own design process. Nothing builds empathy quite like being in your customer’s shoes.

The Design Flow

Below is the flowchart from my project. These are fragments of a rewarding and eye-opening process.