If there’s one question that shows up in every product management interview, it’s this one:

“How would you design [X product]?”

Product design and product sense questions are now standard across FAANG interviews—and they're showing up more and more at startups, too.

It’s not just a warm-up. For many companies, this is the main event.

Why It Matters So Much

Here’s how Google describes what they’re looking for in a PM:

“Google PMs put users first and are zealous about understanding user needs and delivering exceptional user experiences. It starts with customer empathy and always includes a passion for products, down to the smallest details.”

That’s what this interview tests.
Not your resume. Not your certifications.
But how you think — about people, products, and priorities.

What a Product Design Interview Actually Looks Like

Length: ~45 minutes
Structure: One question, multiple follow-ups

Your interviewer may ask you to:

• Design something new → “Design a travel app”

• Improve something existing → “How would you improve Google Maps?”

These questions might be:

• Generic → “Design a product for education”

• Company-specific → “Design Twitter for eCommerce”

🌟 Good news: The same framework works for all of them.

What Interviewers Are Looking For

This interview isn’t about finding the right answer.

It’s about showing:

• Clarity: Can you communicate with structure and confidence?

• Empathy: Do you understand user needs deeply?

• Creativity: Are you willing to think beyond obvious answers?

• Prioritization: Can you identify trade-offs and choose wisely?

• Product thinking: Do you understand the mission and impact of what you’re building?

Use the GAPS Framework

The GAPS framework keeps your answers clear, structured, and thoughtful.

G – Goal

Start by clarifying the goal.

• What problem are we solving?

• Who is the product for?

• What business or user goal are we prioritizing?

Always ask clarifying questions here. Never assume the goal.

A – Audience

Define the user. Then segment further.

• Who exactly are we building for?

• What are their goals, habits, constraints?

➡️ Example: For a travel app — is it for solo travelers? Remote workers? Business travelers?

P – Pain Points

List many, then narrow down.

• What challenges do these users face today?

• Where’s the friction?

• What unmet needs or emotional drivers exist?

🌟 Interviewers want to see your user insight here — not just surface-level problems.

S – Solutions

Now that you have context, ideate.

• List 3–5 ideas quickly

• Explore pros and cons

• Use criteria to evaluate each one

• Choose one to develop in detail

Bonus points for:

• Wireframe sketches (if asked)

• Success metrics

• Trade-offs you considered

Tips for Talking It Through

This isn’t a writing test — it’s a thinking-out-loud test.

Practice:

• Speaking slowly and clearly

• Looping the interviewer into your process

• Pausing before you speak to stay grounded

• Adjusting your direction when needed (it’s okay!)

🌟 It’s a conversation, not a monologue.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Jumping straight into solutions
✅ Start with the goal. Always.

❌ Designing for yourself, not the user
✅ Stay grounded in user pain points — not your personal wishlist.

❌ Sounding disorganized
✅ Use structure. Think in steps. Repeat the framework back to yourself if needed.

❌ Ignoring the business side
✅ Good PMs connect user value to business value. Don’t forget to link both.

✏️ Sample Prompts to Practice

• “How would you improve LinkedIn for college students?”

• “Design an app to help people build better habits.”

• “What product would you build for Gen Z travel?”

• “How would you improve Instagram Stories?”

🌟 Use the GAPS framework on each one. Speak your answers out loud. Then record yourself and refine.

Final Thought

If you’re prepping for PM interviews and skipping product design questions — you’re missing the one area that can make or break your chances.

You don’t need to be a designer.
You need to show how you think about people, problems, and possibilities.

So when this question shows up — and it will — meet it with clarity, curiosity, and calm.