Designing a Studio Apartment for 3 People: A Guide for PM Interviews
This article provides aspiring product managers (PMs) with a comprehensive guide on how to approach the unconventional interview question: “How would you design a studio apartment for 3 people?”
Introduction
Landing a PM role at top companies like FAANG often involves tackling unique interview questions that assess your problem-solving and innovation skills. One such question is, “How would you design a studio apartment for 3 people?” This article will equip you with the tools and frameworks necessary to formulate a compelling response, drawing insights from the acclaimed book ‘Decode and Conquer: Answers to Product Management Interviews.’
Detailed Guide on Framework Application
For design-related questions, the CIRCLES Method™, developed by Lewis C. Lin, offers a robust framework. This method, specifically tailored for product design and feature questions, can be effectively applied to space design challenges.
a. The CIRCLES Method™ Framework
CIRCLES stands for Comprehend, Identify, Report, Cut through prioritization, List solutions, Evaluate trade-offs, and Summarize. Each step guides PMs in systematically breaking down and solving design challenges.
b. Step-by-Step Guide on How to Apply the CIRCLES Method™
- Comprehend: Understand the design challenge. Who are the three people? What are their needs and lifestyles?
- Identify: Create personas for the three occupants, considering factors like privacy, storage, and shared living.
- Report: Define the ultimate goals for the studio design. These likely include maximizing usable space, ensuring comfort, and fostering harmonious cohabitation. Make assumptions if necessary.
- Cut through prioritization: Prioritize needs based on the identified personas. Discuss trade-offs like private sleeping areas versus larger communal space.
- List solutions: Generate a list of solutions. Examples include multi-functional furniture, lofted beds, or movable partitions to enhance the usability of limited space.
- Evaluate trade-offs: Weigh the pros and cons of each solution, considering factors like cost, feasibility, and spatial constraints.
- Summarize: Summarize your proposed solution and explain why it best fits the identified needs, addressing key priorities and trade-offs.
c. Hypothetical Example
Consider a couple and a roommate. The couple needs privacy, while the roommate values a quiet workspace. Multi-use furniture like a murphy bed for the roommate that doubles as a desk by day, and a sliding partition for the couple, serves both needs. Common spaces like the kitchen could be designed with efficiency in mind, using a galley layout to maximize workflow and storage.
d. Facts Checks
Ensure your assumptions are realistic by considering average studio apartment sizes and standard furniture dimensions. Validate your design choices by referencing trends in micro-living and interior design best practices.
e. Communication Tips
Present your design clearly and articulately, justifying each choice and addressing identified needs. Use visual language to help the interviewer visualize your design, and be receptive to feedback, demonstrating agility in adapting your proposal.
Conclusion
Designing a studio apartment for three people might seem like an unconventional PM interview challenge, but it effectively tests your problem-solving abilities and creativity. By employing a structured framework like the CIRCLES Method™, you can demonstrate your capacity to innovate within constraints and tailor solutions to diverse user needs. This exercise highlights how PMs can apply product management principles to any domain, showcasing versatility and strategic thinking.