How Figma taps into taste, simplicity, and storytelling | Yuhki Yamashita (CPO at Figma, ex-Uber, Google, Microsoft)
Dec 5, 2024
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Yuhki Yamashita, Chief Product Officer at Figma and former product leader at Uber, Google, and Microsoft, shares his insights on product design and storytelling. He discusses Figma’s evolution as a browser-based design tool and the importance of simple yet powerful products. Yuhki emphasizes the need for adaptability when transitioning from big tech to agile environments and the significance of storytelling in product development to engage users. His reflections on the dynamics of teamwork and nurturing taste highlight the journey from good to extraordinary product management.
Yuhki Yamashita emphasizes the importance of storytelling in product management to clearly communicate value and engage users effectively.
The podcast highlights how product managers can balance simplicity with functionality to avoid complexity creep as products evolve.
Yamashita's experiences at various tech companies reveal that taste and a high standard in design differentiate extraordinary product managers from the good ones.
Deep dives
The Evolution of Product Understanding
The podcast emphasizes the significance of understanding the evolution of product features to appreciate their design and functionality fully. When individuals encounter a product without context of its development history, they may struggle to grasp its value or purpose, suggesting potential simplicity gaps. This highlights the critical role of product managers in distilling and articulating the value proposition effectively. Ultimately, the best product managers excel in enhancing functionality while preserving a user-friendly, straightforward experience.
Lessons from Industry Experience
Yuki Yamashita's diverse background in influential companies like Microsoft, YouTube, and Uber provides valuable insights into varying product-building philosophies. His experiences underscore the importance of meticulous attention to detail, storytelling, and comprehension of user problems across different organizations. At Figma, this culminates in a balanced approach to launching new products while maintaining a coherent design narrative and adaptability to user needs. Understanding how these principles apply across companies can guide product leaders as they contemplate their strategies.
The Importance of Storytelling
Storytelling emerges as a pivotal theme in the discussion, particularly in how Figma communicates product value, especially to non-designer users. Crafting a compelling narrative around the product not only attracts users but also sets the stage for future developments and product expansions. The one screenshot test acts as a practical method for ensuring that product messaging is clear and effective, allowing potential users to understand the value quickly. Good storytelling bridges the gap between product capabilities and user engagement, fostering a deeper connection with the audience.
Navigating Product Complexity
The relationship between power and simplicity in product design is a critical focus when discussing the evolution of companies over time. There's a common concern that as products mature, they often become increasingly complex, which can confuse new users. The podcast suggests that maintaining simplicity does not equate to reducing features but involves ensuring clarity and a strong mental model for users navigating the product. Acknowledging the need for constant evaluation and redesign helps in mitigating the complexity creep that often accompanies growth.
The Role of Taste in Product Management
Taste in product design and management is presented as a defining quality that differentiates good product managers from extraordinary ones. The ability to convey ideas compellingly, push for high standards, and recognize the potential for improvement exemplifies effective leadership in product teams. This quality also requires more than just an intuitive understanding of design; it involves a willingness to inspire and assertiveness to challenge mediocrity within corporate structures. Ultimately, fostering an environment where creativity thrives and ownership is nurtured enhances the overall quality of product development.
Yuhki Yamashita is the Chief Product Officer at Figma, leading the product and design teams. Previously, he was a product and design leader at Uber, where he orchestrated the redesign of the rider and driver apps. Yuhki was also a product manager at Google (YouTube iOS app) and Microsoft (Hotmail). Additionally, he has taught introductory computer science at Harvard University.
In today’s episode, we discuss:
How Figma approaches new products, prioritization, and storytelling
Product culture at Uber, Microsoft, Google
The difference between “good” and “extraordinary” PMs
Tactical advice for storytelling
The “un-learning” required in new jobs and industries