Your design proposal was rejected with no feedback. How do you navigate this setback in product design?

Well, I will feel like a failure for sure, but soon after that I will ask my fellow designers to give their feedback, I will ask them to provide me with critiques on my design. This will help me learn more about things that I may not catered well.

No feedback is feedback and it's the worst type of it. I'll email and ask for the feedback and sometimes get some responses sometimes not. There's a really good book called Worthy by Jamie Kern Lima and chapter 2 of this book talks about how to handle rejection and it applies in these situations.

First things first—take a deep breath. It’s natural to feel frustrated when your hard work gets rejected, especially without feedback. Give yourself a moment to process the emotions, but don’t let them cloud your judgment. Remember, every rejection is an opportunity to learn. One thing I’ve found helpful is taking a step back and reflecting on why I care so much about the design—this helps me stay connected to the bigger picture and reframe the setback as a growth moment.

When my design proposal gets rejected without feedback, I allow myself to experience the initial wave of disappointment. But rather than just processing these emotions in isolation, I use them to fuel my creativity. I remind myself of a time when I overcame a similar setback—perhaps a previous project that initially failed but ultimately led to an even better outcome. By connecting the rejection to past experiences, I can transform negative emotions into a driving force for improvement and innovation.

Without feedback, it’s like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. Politely reach out to the stakeholders, asking for specific insights on why the design didn’t hit the mark. A simple, “I’d love to understand what aspects of the design didn’t align with your vision so I can improve it,” can go a long way. In one project, I turned a rejected design into a winner simply by having an open dialogue with the team. Use tools like Loom to send a quick video walkthrough of your design rationale—it’s easier to convey your thought process than in a lengthy email.

It's important to know the reasons why your design proposal was rejected without feedback. As a designer the first thing that is required of you is to have a follow up call and seek genuine reasons about the rejection of your proposal. Request specific suggestions on how to make the design better. Ask for specific reasons why the proposal was rejected and express your desire to understand and improve your design. Consult mentors or coworkers for advice, Refrain from interjecting or taking offense and Express gratitude for their time and feedback.

In cases where feedback isn’t provided, I’ve found that framing my follow-up questions as opportunities for collaboration rather than as criticisms can be more effective. For instance, I might say, "I'd love to hear more about the direction you're envisioning. Could we explore how my design might align with your goals?" This approach not only opens up dialogue but also fosters a collaborative environment. Sometimes, decision-makers are more inclined to provide insight when they see genuine interest in aligning with their vision.

Research, research, research. This is the most crucial thing to do right after rejection. If you have no idea why that happened, reach out to colleagues - ask what could've been done differently. Search for similar areas in competitive solutions. Reassemble your design back to the ideas, and try again. In most cases, you'll find a few areas for improvements, as this is what this job comes with - there's no ideal, and there's always space for adjustments.

Once you gather any feedback (or even if you don’t get any), go back to your design with a critical eye. Consider using frameworks like the design thinking process or Nielsen’s heuristics to objectively evaluate what might not have worked. I once realized that a key interaction in my design was too complex for the end-user only after re-analyzing it through the lens of simplicity. Sometimes, it’s about stripping back the layers to find the core issue.

when analyzing reason why your design proposal was rejected it's important to evaluate the timing, priorities, or budget constraints that may have influenced the decision. Examine the design for any possible weaknesses or overlooked opportunities. Analyze how well the design satisfies the expectations and needs of the user. Ensure the design is functional and easy to use. Use any feedback received to improve your design. Take the rejection as a chance to improve your abilities. Through dissecting the rejected design and getting input, you can learn important lessons that will help you with future proposals. Keep in mind to adopt a growth mentality going into the circumstance and view it as a chance for personal progress.

When analyzing my rejected design, I delve into the broader context of how my design fits into the market landscape. I’ve found it useful to examine not only direct competitors but also products from adjacent industries. By understanding how similar challenges are addressed elsewhere, I can gain new insights and perspectives that might not be obvious from within my specific domain. This approach helps me identify unique opportunities or alternative solutions that I might have overlooked initially.

Creativity often thrives under constraints. Use this as a chance to think outside the box and explore alternative solutions. One approach I love is “divergent thinking”—brainstorming without limits, then refining ideas that resonate the most. In one project, after a rejection, I reimagined the user flow entirely and ended up with a design that was not only approved but praised for its innovation. Tools like Miro can help in visualizing and iterating on your ideas collaboratively.

Rejection gives different perspective on how iteration be done and opportunity for improvement. Evaluate your design by looking for any glaring errors or overlooked opportunities in the design. Brainstorm new ideas by drawing connections and concepts in a visual manner and sketch out alternative design styles. After experimenting with various user interface options for the design, ensure you test your new ideas and see if it meets the users needs and fit into the project scope.

Rejection often signals an opportunity to rethink and explore alternative solutions. I use this time to engage in "design sprints," where I rapidly prototype and test various ideas, even those that seem unconventional. For instance, I might experiment with different design paradigms or user interaction models that deviate from the norm. This iterative process, combined with user feedback, helps me uncover innovative solutions that might resonate better with the stakeholders.

Developing resilience is crucial to overcoming obstacles in the product design process. See the rejection as an opportunity to develop and get better. Keep in mind that the process of design is iterative, and that obstacles are a normal part of the work. Acknowledge the feelings you are feeling, whether they are disappointment, frustration, or rage. it's important to have faith in your abilities and capabilities. Ensure you take breaks, by taking regular breaks and placing self-care first, you can prevent burnout. Finally, Make connections with other designers to get ideas and assistance.

Building resilience, for me, involves creating a reflective practice routine. After facing rejection, I take time to write down what I learned from the experience, focusing on specific areas of growth rather than just the failure. This habit helps me maintain a positive outlook and builds my confidence over time. I also set small, achievable goals for myself that allow me to celebrate incremental successes, which keeps me motivated and resilient in the face of setbacks.

In the design sector, networking is essential for forming connections, spotting openings, and getting feedback. Attend industry events, join communities to connect with peers of like minds who can offer guidance. Make connections with peers or mentors who can provide support and guidance, Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with professionals in the industry Continue to communicate and collaborate with your new peers Through proactive networking and relationship building, you can discover new prospects, raise your profile, and possibly even get past the disappointment of having your design proposal turned down. Recall that networking is a continuous activity, so it's critical to continue interacting with people and building connections.