How to Ace Your Next UX Whiteboard Challenge (A Deep-Dive)

Looking to ace your next UX whiteboard challenge? Look no further! Whiteboard challenges are a source of a lot of angst for new, aspiring, and even experienced UX designers-but they don't need to be!
If you're starting a career in UX, you're sure to come face to face with a whiteboard challenge or two (or ten) along the way.
These challenges are a vital aspect of the UX interview process, and they can be intimidating because you've got to do your UX magic on the spot (and with an interview-minded audience). But we've got what you need to set yourself up for success.
In this video, Elizé Todd-seasoned UX designer and educator-will give you the inside scoop on everything you need to know about whiteboard challenges, as well as how to prepare for (and ace) them. Here's what she'll cover:
What is a whiteboard challenge?
Key components of a whiteboard challenge
How to avoid common mistakes
How to best prepare for a whiteboard challenge
What interviewers evaluate during the challenge
To learn more on the topic, check out our Ultimate Guide to Acing a Whiteboard Challenge: careerfoundry....
This video is a recording of a live online workshop that took place on February 2, 2021.
Interested in getting started in UX design? Check out CareerFoundry’s free short course for a solid introduction to some UX essentials. Sign up here:
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For a deeper dive into the topic, check out our longform article on whiteboard challenges, over on the CareerFoundry blog: bit.ly/HowToAc...
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How to Ace Your Next UX Whiteboard Challenge (An Online Workshop):
• How to Ace Your Next U...

[@careerfoundry]

Have you run into difficulty with whiteboard challenges before? Share your experiences with us in the comments. Also, for a deep dive article on the topic check out: bit.ly/HowToAceYourNextWhiteboardChallengeArticle for more information!

[@pozup1596]

I managed to land my first UX job after successfully ace-ing my whiteboard interview! Thanks to this video! Bless you Elize! Due to the time constraints and my lack of practice (Back-to-back interviews gave me 0 time for prep) I had a variation of the methods shown here. I did Context -> problem space -> solutions (via sticky notes) and wireframing. Interviewers were focused more so on how I communicated with them during the design process. But there is no doubt that having a structure as seen in this video, helped me establish ideas in a coherent manner. To any upcoming UI/UX designers who are trying to get their first gig, this template is easily one of the best on yt. Feel free to come up with your own version by merging sections that are seen in this video for efficiency. The test question is usually a random problem statement, but it will still relate to the job that you applied for (e.g. An ecommerce business will use commerce-focused problem statements). A pro-tip would be exactly as stated by Elize: Your wireflows can be messy. As long as you get ideas across, on how your design choices translate to a successful outcome. This can be the little things, like having certain button placements, or coming up with new ways for users to interact with their space. For example in my whiteboard test; I had to come up with a sorting system for a 'collection screen' (I.e. Mobile Game). 'Burger menus' as seen in many phone apps are becoming an outdated design concept. The lead designer expressed that they wanted to see a more unique interaction for how players would sort their collections. Using that information, I came up with a completely new interaction which didn't rely on traditional design elements such as the 'burger icon' menu. This video isn't a guideline. But it is absolutely an amazing point of reference for how you can structure yourself during the whiteboard interview process!

[@SukhdeepSingh-sh6eb]

I cleared my whiteboard challenge for a company recently and I wanted to let you know that I watched your video before the round while stressing for it. Your video gave me some great points about refining my approach and your emphasis on practice really helped me prepare well resulting in an awesome test. Thank you Elize! Love your positive energy! 😊

[@Taskade]

If you want to excel, be the best at what you do. Concentrate all your thoughts on that task at hand. The sun's rays can't burn anything up until they are focused into a beam of light!

[@StrikeDemonX]

Detailed steps of whiteboard challenge. Having design challenge interview tomorrow. Hope i can get through.

[@daphniecastanares]

Thank you so much Elize for this video! I had trouble figuring out what framework to use for design exercises and this helped me come up with one that works for me. I owe it to this video for helping me land an offer as a UX Designer recently!

[@NikolaMatoski-o7i]

In this example it looks like we are looking for solution for the business owner needs, not to the user's needs, we are trying to make them believe that the bike is more healthy solution and will make them fit, none of this are their needs or pain points, their need can be how to faster and simpler go from their flat to the shopping mall, or maybe the scooters are less time consuming to book one and use it so thats the reason why they are use them so try to offer even simpler booking solution to save their time, at the end if the research shows that people are using the scooters for going out at night or on a daly coffee with their friends and don't want to be sweaty, then maybe the business owner needs to give up and transit to electric bikes, however this is not the right way of brainstorming because is not defining users needs, only business needs.

[@joeyp734]

This is so awesome. Your presentation is so fun and simple to follow. I believe when we are trying to solve complex problems, we need to a simple framework to stick to. Thank you so much!

[@KulwantSingh-ic8uz]

A big thank for such a great informative, useful video and helping new designer to sharp their skills on whiteboard challenge....thanks Indeed!

[@ismailahmad1266]

Thank you Elize! Please how do we download the slide as she suggested? Thanks.

[@AndresTheDesigner]

Love Elize! Love the tips. 👌🏼

[@idibradley9702]

This is so useful!!! Great great content

[@careerfoundry]

Thanks, we're really glad you enjoyed the content!

[@ElizePresents]

Feel free to also check out this video where I facilitated a whiteboard challenge with a first-timer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/haCsc4N_opmHaNE :)

[@mabelpraise]

Thank you Elize

[@TMCLLNH]

This was very helpful! Whiteboard on Friday. Thanks!

[@careerfoundry]

Best of luck on your Whiteboard Challenge! You'll do great!

[@pilipdasamattanawin1058]

Is the prompt usually related to the industry the company is hiring for or it can be anything at all?

[@IStMl]

Hum yeah normally

[@msj8285]

Such a sunshine girl, thank you for this!

[@careerfoundry]

Glad it was helpful!

[@vCosmicCA]

thanks so much!

[@careerfoundry]

You're welcome!

[@damiancoding7689]

This test design is harder than design

[@JAllen-tx3di]

Toastmasters, designercize , sharpen.design, IDEO design kit: how might we