Redesign Challenges
Part of the UI/UX Design Roadmap
In short
'How would you improve this product?' Unlike a blank-page challenge, you have to find real problems in something that already exists, and fix the right one.
'How would you improve X product?' — similar to a whiteboard challenge but grounded in a real, existing product, testing your ability to diagnose real problems, not invent hypothetical ones.
Think of it like this
Rearranging your hostel room
You can't build a new room, so you work with the bed, desk and cupboard you've got. First you notice what bugs you: light falls behind the desk, the door hits the bed. Then you move the one thing that fixes the most.
Watch it happen
Choosing what to fix in a food delivery app
1/4You list issues you noticed or heard from users. Not all are worth fixing first.
The big ideas
What you need to know
Pick a user
'Improve it for whom?' A first-time user and a power user need different fixes.
Diagnose first
Explain the problem and its cause before you propose any new screen.
Think about the business
Mention how your fix might affect key metrics, like orders or support calls.
How you'd measure
Say what you'd track to know it worked, like checkout completion rate.
Save yourself the pain
Common mistakes
Oops
Redesigning the whole app's look from scratch.
Do this instead
Focus on one meaningful problem in the main flow and fix that well.
Oops
Assuming the company never thought of your idea.
Do this instead
Acknowledge possible business reasons for the current design, then make your case.
Your mission
One app, one fix
Quick check
In a redesign challenge, which issue should you usually tackle first?
Go deeper
- 1Pick 2-3 real products you know well enough to critique with specifics, not generic praise.
- 2Practice narrowing to ONE strong recommendation instead of listing many shallow ones.
- 3Ground your critique in a specific user segment and their specific problem.
More design exercises at this stop
Whiteboard Design Challenges
Design Critique Exercises
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