You’re applying for a UX job, and suddenly there it is – a design challenge! Maybe it’s a take-home task from a startup, a timed battle in Figma during a hiring process, or just something you grabbed from a design-devoted platform to shake off creativity.
At first, UX design challenges seem simple – you get a problem and you solve it. But in reality, they can be stressful enough. Just imagine – you’re packing weeks of design work into just days or hours, making quick decisions, and explaining them just as fast. Some people freeze. Others thrive. Why is that so? Let’s explore design challenges a bit deeper and learn how to use them to your advantage.
A UX design challenge is a time-bound task where designers solve a specific user experience problem. UX design challenges are usually short and may last only a couple of days or even a few hours. They focus on one part of the design process – it can be user research, wireframe creation, or prototype building. It’s something like a “mini case study” that tests how well you can tackle problems and apply design principles under pressure.
There are many discussions about this type of task in design communities. And many complain about tight deadlines – commonly 2–4 hours, especially in interviews. In practice, some designers report that much more time is needed for a decent completion, from research to presentation.
“They said they would give me a prompt, and once I get it, I should spend 3-4 hours on it. In reality, I need 8 hours.”
“The time I should spend on this was said to be 3 – 4 hours. But to do a full design seems completely unreasonable, I’d need the weekend for it.”
You may wonder why a design challenge is needed if someone has a great interactive portfolio. However, a portfolio shows what you’ve done, and a challenge shows how you think.
Design challenges immediately demonstrate:
How you solve problems in real time.
How well you adapt to tight constraints.
How you handle UX feedback during the process.
Actually, portfolios are polished for weeks. And challenges are absolutely raw and unpredictable. That’s why companies from FAANG giants to small startups use them to see how you work before you’re actually on the team.
Plus, a design challenge gives a junior UX designer a chance to prove they have the skills, even if they don’t have a portfolio yet.
Design thinking challenges range from quick exercises to serious projects:
Interview challenges. You face these during a hiring process. Such a challenge shows how you work under pressure.
Daily UI challenges. These are short challenge prompts that ask you to create a login page or separate screen. They help you sharpen design skills, improve speed, and just experiment.
Hackathons. These are events for teams where you work against the clock and must build a solution.
Case study challenges. These are bigger projects. You’ll go from research to prototypes and end up with something you can add to your portfolio.
Most UX challenges have similar structure:
A brief. It’s the problem you must solve. It outlines goals, target users, and constraints.
Timeframe. Usually, it is from a few hours to a few days. The time limit forces you to make quick decisions.
A target user. It’s the audience you’re designing for.
Final result. These can be wireframes, prototypes, user flows, or a mini design case study.
Together, these steps show your practice design thinking as much as your visuals.
A UX design challenge is like a lightweight version of real projects, but they are faster and simpler. Here’s how they differ:
As an entry-level UX designer, you can quickly grow with design challenges. You have the freedom to experiment without worrying about failure, try new UX methods, styles, or approaches. These works are a great contribution to your portfolio – you can take projects across different industries, even if you haven’t had client experience there. Recruiters always notice this kind of initiative when they hire UX designer. Some designers have even got dream jobs at top companies after their DailyUI challenge posts went viral. In short, challenges teach you, push you, and can open doors you didn’t even know were there.
Where to find UX challenges for portfolio? Many platforms offer these:
Sharpen.design is perfect for a quick creative spark. It offers random prompts which you can immediately start.
UXfolio’s challenges allow you to create projects for portfolio presentation.
Adobe Creative Challenges run themed competitions with clear briefs, often tied to Adobe tools.
Daily UI has a new design task every day and is great for developing skills.
Case Study Club gives tasks that feel like real projects.
Also, you can join design communities on Reddit or Discord. Here, you will always find interesting design challenge ideas.
UX design challenges vary. Some focus on quick creativity, and others mimic real-world projects. Let’s have a look at one of UX design examples in real life. Tech giants love to include such tasks in their hiring process. Google sometimes gives design applicants a take-home exercise. The goal is to test their skills and decide if they should be invited to an interview at headquarters.
One of their prompts was to design an experience that helps people find and adopt the right pet. The challenge required a user flow and supporting wireframes.
One candidate (Pol Kuijken) delivered an excellent solution with low-fi and high-fi flows and used Google’s Material Design style. He was invited to an interview and received an offer.
Another (Danielle Kawasaki) added user interviews and progressively detailed wireframes, which landed her an interview, though she didn’t receive an offer.
A third approach (Marcel van Remmerden) was beautifully crafted, in-depth research and polished information architecture UX, but missed an interview. The storytelling in UX was too long, and the key feedback was: people are busy, keep it concise.
When you get a UX design challenge, remember you are not expected to create something perfect. You have to show how you think. So, what does a UX designer do when facing a UX challenge? The first step is to read the brief carefully. Try to understand who needs a solution and why it matters to them. Is it a business problem, a usability issue, or something else? Study all the details of the task, and it will save you from moving in the wrong direction.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. If something feels unclear, always ask for more information. Designers who show curiosity and explain their choices usually get better outcomes. It’s also critical to know who you design for.
Pay attention to scope, too. Some prompts may seem impossible in the time given. If that’s the case, say so and explain how you’d approach it with more time. It shows maturity and honesty.
Read the brief ➝ Ask questions ➝ Plan your time ➝ Sketch first ➝ Focus on users ➝ Show your process ➝ Wrap up
You can always add a user interface challenge to your portfolio. But in this case, it’s not enough to show only the final result. You should show the whole process. How to do it? Describe the problem, then show how you conducted your research, how you made initial sketches and wireframes, and then demonstrate your outcome. It’s important to explain every design choice you made. This way, you will turn even a simple challenge into a mini case study. That’s the best demonstration of your design thinking.
You don't complete UX design challenges for fun. They are a part of your professional path, which allows you to train your skills, experiment, and build a portfolio. You will find tasks for students, designers looking for a new career and even UX pros. These challenges prepare you for the real-world design demands. Each challenge is a chance to learn, improve, and gain confidence. Need more help? DreamX is here to assist you in everything from design portfolio tips to a powerful digital product design. Continue reading our blog to discover more useful insights in the field of UX/UI design and development.
How UX design challenges sharpen your design thinking
Iryna is a UX/UI design team lead with a keen eye for detail and a strong understanding of user needs. She spearheads the creation of solutions that bridge creativity and functionality.
Table of contents
What is a UX design challenge? Purpose of UX design challenges Types of UX design challenges Key elements of a UX design challenge How UX design challenges differ from real projects Benefits of participating in UX design challenges Common platforms and sources for UX design challengesUX design challenge examples Tips for UX design challengesHow to show a UX challenge in your portfolioWrapping upGet weekly updates on the newest design stories, case studies and tips right in your mailbox.
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