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Google·Product Manager·Onsite - Product Sense / Strategy·Intermediate

IntermediatePrefer not to say
May 2026

Summary

Got a product sense question at Google about designing a hotel lobby for seniors. Pretty open-ended, no obvious right answer, and I'm still not sure I nailed it.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

You're designing a hotel for senior citizens. How would you approach the lobby design?

Product Sense & IdeationAdaptability & Ambiguity
Author's notes

I jumped straight into accessibility features and kind of listed things off the top of my head.

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AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by clarifying the goal and constraints of the hotel for senior citizens, then frame the lobby as a product with specific user needs. Structure your answer around user personas, pain points, and design principles, and tie your recommendations back to measurable outcomes like safety, comfort, and social interaction.

Pro tip: Show empathy by considering the full spectrum of senior citizens—from active retirees to those with mobility or cognitive challenges—and avoid stereotyping. Also, mention how you would validate design choices through user testing with actual seniors.

1. Clarify Objectives and Constraints

Ask questions to understand the target users, budget, location, and any regulatory requirements. Define what success looks like for the lobby (e.g., safety, social engagement, ease of navigation).

2. Identify User Personas and Needs

Segment senior citizens by age, mobility, health conditions, and social preferences. List their physical, emotional, and social needs in a lobby setting.

3. Brainstorm Design Features

Generate ideas for layout, furniture, lighting, acoustics, and technology that address the identified needs. Prioritize features based on impact and feasibility.

4. Evaluate Trade-offs and Prioritize

Assess trade-offs such as open space vs. cozy nooks, technology vs. simplicity, and cost vs. value. Select a set of features that best meet the core needs.

5. Define Success Metrics and Iterate

Propose metrics like fall incidents, resident satisfaction scores, and social interaction frequency. Suggest a plan for prototyping and user testing to refine the design.

Key Points to Mention

  • Accessibility: wide pathways, handrails, non-slip flooring, seating with armrests, and clear signage with large fonts and high contrast.
  • Safety and comfort: adequate lighting without glare, temperature control, and emergency call buttons.
  • Social interaction: varied seating arrangements to support both group activities and quiet conversation, and a central gathering point like a café or fireplace.
  • Technology integration: user-friendly check-in kiosks, Wi-Fi, and perhaps health monitoring stations, but always with an option for human assistance.
  • Sensory considerations: reduce noise with sound-absorbing materials, use warm and inviting colors, and avoid overly complex patterns.
  • Flexibility: modular furniture and spaces that can adapt to different activities and events throughout the day.

AI-generated suggestions, not part of the candidate's original notes. May be inaccurate — verify before relying on them.