Product design interview prep when AI can make the first draft

Read user evidence, critique the interface and explain what you would change.

What companies say they’re looking for

“A synthetic user can be useful if researchers treat the output as a hypothesis to guide future research.” (opens the source)

Maria Rosala and Kate Moran, Article authors, Nielsen Norman Group · Nielsen Norman Group, Jun 21, 2024

An AI summary can suggest what to investigate. It cannot turn a plausible response into an observed task outcome.

“AI is not raising the ceiling, humans are raising the ceiling.” (opens the source)

Dylan Field, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Figma · Figma, Nov 6, 2026

Polish is a decision, not a substitute for one. Name the task an AI-generated screen must support.

“break down our bigger vision into smaller, more testable pieces.” (opens the source)

Kelly Batchelor, Lead Product Designer, Monzo · Monzo, Dec 3, 2025

Make a small prototype that tests a specific uncertainty before expanding the design.

“When you design for someone like me today, you’re designing for your future self” (opens the source)

Dave Dame, Senior Director of Accessibility and Human Factors, Microsoft · Microsoft, Mar 18, 2025

Inspect labels, keyboard routes and status changes. A clean screenshot cannot show that a task works.

“But invisibility without trust is dangerous.” (opens the source)

Blessing Ajimoti, Principal Consultant, Public Digital · Public Digital, Sep 16, 2025

A proposed location and fee need to be visible before booking. Keep a manual route when an AI suggestion fails.

“A well-governed, tokenized, and deeply integrated system allows teams across the org to make smart changes quickly” (opens the source)

Specify the component’s states and behavior. Test the fix where it is used, then say what remains unknown.

One role, one process. The UK Lead Product Designer listing describes a single-case craft interview plus teamwork and impact conversations. This is evidence for that role, not a universal design interview format.
Explain your own work. Monzo’s AI guidance supports preparation and refinement of real examples. It rejects invented experience and AI-generated live answers; check role-specific task guidance with the recruiter.

Monzo sources checked November 10, 2026.

Maria Rosala and Kate Moran, Article authors, Nielsen Norman Group, at the time. Nielsen Norman Group, “Synthetic Users: If, When, and How to Use AI-Generated “Research””, Jun 21, 2024. Open the source. Checked against the published text.
Dylan Field, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Figma, at the time. Figma, “In conversation: Dylan Field and David Friedberg on the human role in creating with AI”, Nov 6, 2026. Open the source. Checked against the published text.
Kelly Batchelor, Lead Product Designer, Monzo, at the time. Monzo, “My first 3 months at Monzo as a Product Designer”, Dec 3, 2025. Open the source. Checked against the published text.
Dave Dame, Senior Director of Accessibility and Human Factors, Microsoft, at the time. Microsoft, “Unlocking talent with Windows accessibility”, Mar 18, 2025. Open the source. Checked against the published text.
Blessing Ajimoti, Principal Consultant, Public Digital, at the time. Public Digital, “AI and design: the future of customer experience”, Sep 16, 2025. Open the source. Checked against the published text.
Andy Budd, Author, at the time. Andy Budd, “Design Leadership in the Age of AI: Seize the Narrative Before It’s Too Late”, Jun 25, 2025. Open the source. Checked against the published text.

Last reviewed Nov 10, 2026