How to Design a Good MVP for a Client: My Perspective as a Product Designer
Designing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is a crucial step in bringing a new idea to market.
As a product designer, my approach is systematic and client-focused, ensuring that the final product not only meets the client’s expectations but also addresses the needs of the end-users effectively.
Note, If you need a WordPress expert, UIUX designer, or a content writer for contract hire or to join your team, Just know that I’m available. Chat me up on Linkedin.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of my MVP design process, enriched with tips, advice, and examples.
Discover the 7 Steps to Design a Good MVP for a Client.
Step 1: Understanding the Client’s Vision
### Initial Consultation
My first step in designing a successful MVP for any client has always been to understand the client’s vision.
This involves a comprehensive consultation to uncover the roots of their idea, the problem they are trying to solve, and the story behind their concept.
Key questions I do ask are:
- How did you come up with this idea?
- What problem are you aiming to solve?
- Who is your target audience?
- Which country or region are you focusing on?
- What are your marketing strategies?
- Who are your existing competitors or related products?
### Example:
A client approached me with an idea for a web application aimed at simplifying grade recording & teachers' class schedules for schools in Nigeria.
Through initial discussions, I learned that the client was inspired by the inefficiencies he observed in the current manual process in his Mum’s school so he decided to build a solution for it.
Their target audience includes school administrators and teachers in both primary & secondary schools.
No tough competitors as the existing educational management systems or recording systems we discover doing research are not solving the problem, and their product interfaces and UI are outdated. Others are not specifically tailored to Nigerian schools.
Must school just use exercise book, Grading sheet, excel sheet, etc which are all tasking when compared to what software can do.
Note! detail images, screenshots are gonna be added soon
Step 2: Research and Define the Features
### 1. Market research
Once I have a clear understanding of the client’s vision, the next step is to carry out my own research to discover competitors, alternatives, current usage solutions, and most popular solutions by using likely user intent keywords they might be searching for on Google or YouTube.
Oh yes, I do write SEO content for B2C companies so I understand how to come up with user-likely search queries to get what I want.
Most time, I just search for what the product is all about eg School management software, Grading software for school, etc. I also do add country to it to get local competitors, eg. School management software in Nigeria, school management platform, or website in Nigeria.
I also go to inspiration sites, ThemeForest, Codecrayon, Dribbble, Behance, Twitter (X), Google image, etc — depending on what I’m building to get more inspiration before jumping into work.
Once I discover a likely competitor or related product, I pen it down in my Google Keep Note app with a link to the product page, features to take note of, reviews from users, etc.
Note! If I discover a platform is solving the problem well, I will contact the client and inform them. they might wish to go ahead and be a strong competitor with more features or drop the idea, is up to the client to decide.
### 2. Feature Listing and Prioritization
Once I’m a bit satisfied with my research, I will list out the potential features I got from my research, cross-check it with the features the client wants, then I will map it all out to make out the MVP feature.
Note! My MVP feature ideas are always from major functionalities users really want that they can't find solutions to based on client expression, my discovery doing research, and competition feedback on review platforms.
### Example
My client wants a school grading software & teacher schedule management system with a good user interface & experience, and doing my research I discovered no company with the solution, and school administrators need it to relieve teachers of the stressful grading process each term.
Then I go ahead to list the main solution as feature one, then cover features I see users also demanding that can be added, or a little feature they can be added to give more user experience or help solve a problem without complicating things.
### Example
The grading feature & scheduling were the Main features i.e. point of concentration, but I discovered as I was sketching the idea in my jotting note that sending memos or notifications to teachers or staff via online is also not out there. I decided to add it to it without complicating the main problem.
I made the memo page on the administrator interface as a single page to send circular messages by just clicking on a button titled “Send new memo”, a modal shows up, and the admin selects either All teachers, or filters by subject i.e English Language teachers, or class teachers i.e All JSS 3A teachers, or a class level teachers i.e All JSS 3 teachers, or search for teacher by name.
Teachers receive the memo as a notification on their own dashboard.
### 3. Discussion with the Client
After compiling the feature list, I engage in a detailed discussion with the client to gather their opinions and preferences. This collaborative approach helps in aligning the project scope with the client’s expectations and prioritizing features for the MVP.
### Example:
For the school grade recording app, features could include:
- User registration and profile management
- Class and subject management
- Grade entry and tracking
- Report card generation
- Memo
- Teachers remark or comment on student grades
- Notifications and alerts
Next, I ask the client for any existing brand assets, such as logos, color schemes, and typography guidelines. If the client does not have these assets, I use sample assets to proceed with the design process. This step ensures that the MVP aligns with the client’s brand identity from the outset.
Step 3: Creating Initial Design Sketches
### Sketching and Brainstorming
With a clear direction on features and brand assets, I move on to creating initial design sketches.
I first sketch in my jotter or my jotting exercise book to structure the idea flow. My idea flow for interface design is always me thinking of how a user will use the product in my head, then I draw boxes or sketch the interface roughly on my jotting note step by step from how a user will use the application.
From when a user lands on the homepage, when they click on a button to sign up, the onboarding process, the first dashboard to other sections on the dashboard.
After sketching roughly, I then jumped on my laptop to design the major screens of the interface I could show client to get their feedback.
These sketches are real designs, not wireframes, as I don't believe a client can really know what they want or understand a concept if you don't put it in a real visual representation of the client’s idea to better understand the overall concept of how your design style will go, and how well you understand their product idea.
Step 4: Proposal Design in Figma
Using Figma, I design a few sample interfaces — typically 2 to 5 screens — that capture the essence of the application. This proposal design is not a wireframe but a strategic depiction of what the client will receive.
### Example:
For the grading and teacher scheduling web app, I designed a sample teacher login, the dashboard, a student page with just a list of what the page will contain, a grading interface sample, a schedule page, and a subject grid page. These screens showcase the user's journey from logging in to entering grades and the teacher schedule calendar page.
Step 5: Client Feedback and Iteration
### Presentation and Feedback
I schedule a meeting with the client to present the initial interface sketches. During this meeting, I explained the design direction, the logic behind it, and the strategic choices made.
This presentation is crucial for gathering client feedback and making necessary adjustments.
### Example:
The client appreciates the overall design but suggests adding a feature to allow admin to set their own dashboard color, and send assessment reports as SMS to parents weekly. This feedback is noted down.
Step 6: Finalizing the MVP Design
### 1. Detailed MVP Design
After incorporating the client’s feedback, I proceed with designing the full MVP for just 1 user, the Teacher.
This involves creating all the necessary screens and interactions that the MVP will include. Throughout this process, I maintain open communication with the client, reaching out whenever I need clarification.
Note! I designed only the teacher's dashboard because the teacher's aspect of the project is the most important, and I also want to get the client's opinion about some features on the dashboard, and because the majority of the interface on the teacher’s dashboard will be a repetition on Administrative dashboard.
### 2. Prototype Presentation
Once the design is complete, I create a clickable prototype using Figma. This prototype allows the client to see the MVP as a real product.
The client then suggested corrections and added their view on the UI I presented.
### Example
The client suggests minor adjustments, such as adding a bulk way to assign students to a subject teacher.
I scheduled another meeting to present the full MVP in prototyped mode with the new corrections implemented.
### Example
The full MVP I’m to show next comprises the Teacher dashboard, Administrator dashboard, and the Super Admin dashboard.
Step 7: Final Adjustments and Handoff
### 1. Making Final Corrections
Based on the client’s final feedback, I made the necessary corrections to the design. This step ensures that all client suggestions and requirements are addressed before the handoff.
### 2. Providing Developer Assets
I generate the prototype link and the developer mode link in Figma, which includes all the design specifications, assets, and guidelines needed for the development team to start building the MVP.
I also remain available to clarify any questions the developers might have during the implementation phase.
### Example:
During development, the team needs clarification on the interaction flow between the grade entry and the report card generation interfaces. I provide detailed explanations and adjust the design as needed to ensure a seamless user experience.
That’s all it takes me to turn a client's beautiful idea into MVP as a product designer.
For anyone wondering how I know which screen to design, how to structure the interface flow, how to mix color for design, how to design each interface, how do you get clients.
Here is your answer!!
I have 5 years plus experience as a WordPress designer, 4 years plus as an SEO content writer, and 3 years plus as a UIUX designer.
All those skills are what added up together and made me understand how the web works, things to put on a website, and feature designs that are realistic.
For screen structure (UI & UX of each interface), and interface flow (user journey), I do check each competitor page flow (if any), Dribbble, Behance, Google images, Themeforest, Codecanyon, inspiration sites, Twitter (X) & Linkedin for design shared by other designers.
For my color palette, I also do take color inspiration from the interfaces I saw doing my research, or I take from Dribble inspirations, or I use color that comes to my brain. Then use it till I have another color inspiration.
For the gig, I started by doing a demo of any product idea that came to my mind, I tried solving it, and then I shared it online. That's how I got my first few clients. Then those clients kept recommending me till today. You know why?
Because I did a really good UIUX design on time, delivered on time, and responded to questions, and comments on time, made corrections when asked, gave my opinion as an expert in any project.
As for my opinion as an expert in any project, I research a lot, and check new products I come across on the Play Store, Product Hunt, Appsumo, Jvzoo, Twitter (X), Indie Hacker, Tech Cabal, Dribbble, etc.
When clients talk about a project or Idea, I always have an idea or a better idea of what they want.
I also give myself the headache of designing challenges I’m facing as product ideas when I’m clientless or when I want to try new technology out there.
### Example
When Open AI was released to the public, I used the idea of the technology to design a Figma plugin and web-based application that UIUX designers can use to easily create microcopy while designing.
I also designed an Email marketing system powered by AI for a better mailing system and AI marketing research platform.
Check them all out on my Behance portfolio.
Note, If you need a WordPress expert, UIUX designer, or a content writer for contract hire or to join your team, Just know that I’m available. Chat me up on Linkedin.
## Tips and Advice for Designing a Successful MVP
### 1. Clear Communication
Maintain transparent and frequent communication with the client throughout the design process. This ensures that both parties are aligned and can collaboratively address any issues that arise.
### 2. Prioritize User Experience
Focus on creating an intuitive and user-friendly design. An MVP should provide a smooth user experience to attract and retain early adopters.
### 3. Be Flexible
Be prepared to iterate and adjust the design based on client feedback and testing. Flexibility is key to refining the MVP and ensuring it meets user needs.
### 4. Leverage Prototyping Tools
Use tools like Figma to create interactive prototypes. This helps clients visualize the final product and provides a clear guide for developers.
### 5. Focus on Core Features
For an MVP, it’s crucial to prioritize core features that solve the main problem. Avoid overloading the MVP with unnecessary functionalities that can be added in later versions.
### 6. Test and Validate
Encourage the client to test the MVP with a small group of users to gather feedback. This real-world validation helps in refining the product before a broader launch.
My Conclusion
Designing an MVP is a collaborative and iterative process that requires a deep understanding of the client’s vision, effective communication, and a focus on user experience.
By following a structured approach, engaging in open dialogue with the client, and being flexible in incorporating feedback, a product designer can create a successful MVP that lays a strong foundation for future development.
This comprehensive approach ensures that the final product is not only aligned with the client’s goals but also meets the needs of the target audience, setting the stage for a successful market entry and growth.
Thank You!!
Note, If you need a WordPress expert, UIUX designer, or a content writer for contract hire or to join your team, Just know that I’m available. Chat me up on Linkedin.
