Hi there 👋 I’m Julie, Head of Product Design at Product Hunt. AMA 👇

@varsha_sharma1 Sometimes you have to take risks to make an impact. But if you're not completely sure, you can always test the changes to a subset of users, or be prepared to rollback to the previous version.

@griveau Probably the 2L of Diet Coke I drink every day. I've a ton of side projects ideas, I just need to find the time to work on them 😅

@raphael_167 We use Typeform, Intercom, Dovetail, and whatever channels people use to contact us!

@syswarren Interesting, thanks!

@john_wade Probably that each company has its own definition of the role. Depending on who you work with, the expectations can be very different. You have to be extremely adaptable.

@5harath the current generation of (successful) founders is quite good at understanding the importance of design. It's way better now than when I first started working in tech but there is still progress to make. There are so many startups selling the same thing, similar features, same services, with similar pricing... Potential customers don't care how nice your code is. They rarely care how many new features you've launched last quarter. They choose to use a product because it looks clean and safe. Because the experience is pleasant. Because the branding looks reassuring. Because the startup listens to their needs and designs features they need. All of this is design: visual design, user experience, branding, product/feature design. We've moved from design being "a coat of paint" to "design can make my startup stands out" I hope more founders will think "design is the key differentiator between us and our competitors"

@heffendi UI and UX are two different things that can't be used interchangeably but should be used together. UI is the road, the traffic signs, and scenery: are the signs clear? Can you read what's on them? Is the road smooth? Is it adapted to your car? Is the scenery pleasant? UX is the journey: Is it taking you where you want to go? Do you feel safe, calm, happy? Do you have the information you need to reach your destination? Or are you being stopped all the time?

@ch__rles In the best situation: 1. Product Managers and Product Designers start working at the same time: at the definition of a project. Engineers should also be involved, and any other person whose domain is impacted by the project. 2. I don't think Product Designers need Product Managers' input to start working on a project. Everyone can write PRDs if it's missing so they shouldn't have to wait. But Product Managers are the ones ensuring the team works on the right things at the right time for the right reasons, so before jumping on a project, designers should check with PMs if now is the right time. 3. It should be rare for one person to have the final say on what's shipped. It's more of a team effort and constant agreement. In the situation where a final call has to be made, it'd be up to the person in charge of design at the company level or the CEO.

@jillandresevic Thank you! 🙏