← Google Interview Insights

Google·Software Engineer·Onsite - Product Sense / Strategy·Senior

Senior
May 2026

Summary

Product design interview at Google for a designer role, one question about designing a UI for a doctor-facing consultation app. Pretty open-ended, which I wasn't fully prepared for.

Questions Asked (1)

Q1

Design the UI for a consultation app intended for doctors.

Product Sense & IdeationAdaptability & Ambiguity
Author's notes

I jumped straight into screens without spending enough time on the user.

Create a free account to read the full note

AI HintsAI Generated

Suggested Approach

Start by clarifying the scope and constraints: which platform (mobile/desktop), what core workflows (scheduling, video consults, notes, prescriptions), and who the primary users are (doctors in hospitals vs. private practice). Then structure your answer around the doctor's workflow, prioritizing speed, information density, and error prevention, and walk through a few key screens with rationale.

Pro tip: Emphasize that doctors are time-constrained and often multitask, so design for glanceability, minimal taps, and clear status indicators; mention how you'd validate with real clinicians early to avoid costly assumptions.

1. Clarify requirements and constraints

Ask questions to narrow scope: platform, user context (hospital vs. clinic), key tasks, integration needs (EHR), and any regulatory constraints (HIPAA). This shows you avoid jumping to solutions.

2. Define core user flows

Outline the primary workflows: pre-consult (review patient history, schedule), during consult (video, notes, orders), and post-consult (prescriptions, follow-ups). Prioritize the most frequent and critical tasks.

3. Sketch key screens and interactions

Describe 2-3 main screens (e.g., dashboard, consultation view, patient record) with layout, controls, and navigation. Focus on how the design supports speed and reduces cognitive load.

4. Address edge cases and adaptability

Discuss how the UI handles interruptions, poor connectivity, or urgent alerts. Show you consider real-world variability and design for resilience.

5. Propose validation and iteration

Explain how you'd test with doctors (usability studies, shadowing) and iterate. Mention metrics like time-on-task or error rates to measure success.

Key Points to Mention

  • Doctor-centric design: minimize clicks, support multitasking, and ensure critical info is visible at a glance.
  • Information hierarchy: prioritize patient vitals, allergies, and recent notes during a consult.
  • Error prevention: confirmations for prescriptions, clear alerts for drug interactions, and undo options.
  • Accessibility and compliance: large touch targets, high contrast, and HIPAA-compliant data handling.
  • Integration with existing systems: EHR, scheduling, and billing to avoid duplicate work.
  • Adaptability: responsive design for different devices and graceful degradation on poor networks.

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