Build products like progressive jpg
At Hello Robo, we've embraced what is known as the Progressive JPEG method. Progressive Jpeg loads an image in layers, showing a low-res version first that gradually sharpens. And I think it’s a perfect analogy for designing new products.
Best products aren't born perfect.
At Hello Robo, we've embraced what is known as the Progressive JPEG method. Progressive Jpeg loads an image in layers, showing a low-res version first that gradually sharpens. And I think it’s a perfect analogy for designing new products.
That’s why we start with a very rough concept of customer experience, without even designing any screens, just boxes. → In the next iteration, we add more details. → We add copy, layouts, buttons. Often in grayscale. → Then we add more details, visual elements, colors, animations, etc.
This approach is great 👌 for any type of product design, but it’s especially beneficial for startup founders.
But I’ve noticed that many founders don’t think this way. They actually do the exact opposite. 😨 They often dive straight into ideal “grand version” before seeing the whole picture and struggle to answer the question “What would be the 10% rendered version of that ideal product?”
At Hello Robo, we encourage founders to start "blurry" instead: While maintaining the vision of what the ideal product is, start with what would be the blurry version of that product. And then iteratively polish it to get to the fully rendered state.
Get the complete picture first, even if it's low-res. Then iterate. Sharpen. Each iteration will bring you closer to your vision, but you will never be stuck with an incomplete product. Sometimes, the best path to perfection is through imperfection.
