Recently, I wrapped up one of my most fulfilling projects at miniOrange.
Unlike previous redesigns or iterations, this one was built from the ground up. And what made it truly special was the sense of ownership I felt throughout the journey.
From collaborating closely with developers and product owners to aligning on flows and discussing edge cases, I was deeply involved in shaping the experience from day one.
That’s when a lesson I heard early in my journey came back to me: “Take ownership.” These words came from Anupriya Kumar, our COO.
Back then, I remember thinking, “Ownership? But I’m already doing my job, what more does it mean?” This time, I understood.
Ownership isn’t just about completing tasks. It’s about thinking ahead, caring about outcomes, building clarity, and staying rooted in why we’re designing something in the first place.
Now that the project has moved to the Ready for Development stage, it feels like a personal milestone, not because it’s finished, but because it’s been thoughtfully crafted.
For designers looking for more meaningful work
When younger designers ask me, “How do I find more meaningful work? How do I feel more connected to my projects? Why am I not getting the kind of challenges I want?” my answer is the same one I once received.
Start with ownership. It’s where leadership begins.
Frequently asked questions
- What does “take ownership” mean in product design?
- Taking ownership in product design means more than completing tasks. It means thinking ahead, caring about outcomes, building clarity, and staying rooted in why you are designing something in the first place. Building a product from the ground up at miniOrange is what finally made that lesson click for me.
- How can designers find more meaningful work?
- Start with ownership. When younger designers ask how to find more meaningful work or feel more connected to their projects, my answer is to take ownership. Caring about outcomes, thinking ahead, and staying close to why the work matters is what turns routine tasks into work that feels meaningful, and it is where leadership begins.
- Why does building a product from the ground up create a stronger sense of ownership?
- Building from the ground up meant being involved from day one. Unlike previous redesigns or iterations, I collaborated closely with developers and product owners, aligned on flows, and discussed edge cases from the start. That deep involvement in shaping the experience is what created the strong sense of ownership I felt throughout the project.
- How is ownership connected to design leadership?
- Ownership is where leadership begins. In this piece, taking ownership means thinking ahead, caring about outcomes, building clarity, and staying rooted in why you are designing something. That mindset, rather than the completion of tasks, is what connects everyday design work to leadership, which is why I tell younger designers to start with ownership.
- Who taught you to “take ownership”?
- The advice to take ownership came from Anupriya Kumar, our COO, early in my journey. At the time I thought I was already doing my job and did not understand what more it meant. Only after building a product from the ground up at miniOrange did the lesson finally make sense to me.