The Art of Product Taste
Cultivating Intuition in an Information Rich World
The concept of "product taste" has been a recurring theme in my recent readings and conversations. From Ethan Mollick's insightful post about leveraging AI for creative exploration and the importance of curation and taste in this process; to Lenny's fascinating notes on Shopify's unique product development philosophy which relies on intuition and taste over metrics. I also had a great conversation with a colleague who brought up that there’s even a course at Harvard right now that focuses on AI and taste - it seems everyone's talking about the importance of taste in building successful products and experiences.
But what exactly is product taste? And how does one cultivate it?
Taste as Intuition
For me, taste is another word for intuition – that gut feeling, that almost instinctive understanding of what works and what doesn't. It's the ability to see the potential in an idea, to sense the subtle nuances that will resonate with users, to make decisions that aren't always easily quantifiable (or that would take a LOT of time to do so).
But intuition isn't magic; it's built on a foundation of good experience. It's the culmination of all the things we've tried, the successes and failures, and most importantly, the lessons learned along the way and how you apply those going forward.
The Power of Experience (and Why It's Not Always Equal)
Years of experience play a crucial role in developing this intuition. While it's true that not all experience is created equal, a decade of focused, thoughtful work does give you an edge over not having any experience. It allows you to see patterns, to anticipate challenges, and to make informed decisions based on a deep understanding of the landscape. That said, a decade of mediocre experience isn't as good as even 2 years of great experience.
So how do you get good experience? It isn’t as simple as blindly following the advice of anyone with a senior title. It means seeking out mentors and leaders whose values and accomplishments resonate with you, whose work you admire, and whose approach challenges you to grow.
It also means trusting your own growing intuition. The more experience you gain, the sharper your instincts become. As you navigate new challenges and learn from your mistakes, your product taste will inevitably evolve.
Beyond Experience: Cultivating Your Product Taste
So, how do we actively cultivate this elusive quality of product taste, this finely tuned intuition? Here's a breakdown of some key ingredients:
Deep Dive into User Needs and Opportunities: This goes beyond simply asking users what they want. It's about actively listening, observing, and interpreting their needs, both expressed and unexpressed. It's about identifying not just pain points, but also opportunities – those potential solutions users haven't yet imagined. This often means marrying emerging technologies with unmet user needs, finding innovative ways to leverage what's possible to solve what's needed. Remember, defining the right solution and then validating its effectiveness (or learning from its failure) is a crucial part of this process.
Become a Product Expert: Immerse yourself in the competitive landscape. Deconstruct successful products, analyzing their design, functionality, and user experience. Ask yourself: What makes them work? What sets them apart? What could be improved? This analysis will not only sharpen your product sense but also inspire new ideas.
Embrace Self-Reflection: Regularly analyze your own decisions, both the successes and the failures. Identify patterns in your thinking, and extract valuable lessons from past experiences. Ask yourself: What assumptions did I make? What blind spots do I need to address? How can I apply these learnings to future projects? This introspection is crucial for refining your intuition and developing a stronger sense of what resonates with users.
Surround Yourself with Greatness (and Learn from It Directly): Build a network of mentors and colleagues whose work you admire and whose judgment you trust. Observe how they approach problems, how they make decisions, and how they navigate challenges. This direct exposure to experienced product thinkers is invaluable for accelerating your own growth.
Learn from Others (Beyond Your Immediate Circle): The internet is a treasure trove of knowledge, with countless podcasts, blog posts, and articles offering insights from industry leaders. Be discerning in your consumption, focusing on content from individuals whose experience you respect and whose perspectives you find valuable. While this indirect learning can't replace the benefits of direct mentorship, it's a powerful way to broaden your horizons and stay abreast of emerging trends and best practices. Seek out those who have not only talked the talk but have also walked the walk – those who have built successful products and are willing to share their learnings.
The Power of Perspective (and Why It Matters)
Even with years of experience and a finely tuned intuition, it's easy to get stuck in our own heads. That's why it's so important to seek out diverse perspectives. Two people, presented with the same data, can arrive at wildly different conclusions.
By surrounding ourselves with people who challenge our assumptions and offer alternative viewpoints, we broaden our understanding and open ourselves up to new possibilities.
The Takeaway
Product taste doesn’t have to be an innate talent; it's a skill that can be honed and refined over time. By embracing a mindset of continuous learning, seeking out diverse perspectives, and trusting our own evolving intuition, we can become more effective product builders, creating experiences that truly resonate with users.