More Than Just Looks: Design as the Product's Essential Bassline

I write this piece from a dusty room during the biggest pandemic my generation — and the previous — ever lived. With a lot of time in my hands, I decided to invest in some hobbies I always wanted to pursue, but never had the time. Writing, as you may imagine is one of them and as the title suggests, playing bass is the second. While learning the fundamentals of the importance of the sound of a bass in a song, I started to see some similarities with my work as a Product Designer in a multidisciplinar team.

The Bass provides the rhythmic foundation of a song

It sets the groove, establishes the tempo, and provides the essential pulse that other instruments build upon. Without a solid bassline, the entire musical structure can feel unstable and lack coherence. Similarly, in a product team, a designer should strive to be the rhythmic foundation. This doesn’t mean dictating every move, but rather providing the consistent, reliable, and foundational elements that enable others to perform their best. This foundation can manifest as a well-defined user journey, a consistent design system, or a clear understanding of the user’s needs.

Supporting the Melody

Beyond the rhythm, the bass supports the melody, adding depth and richness to the overall sound. It fills in the gaps, harmonizes with the other instruments, and provides a sense of fullness. In a product team, this translates to supporting the product vision and ensuring that the user experience is both functional and delightful. Designers should not only focus on the visual aspects but also consider the emotional impact of the product.

Similarly to a good design experience is smooth, so does a good bassline sounds. The bass is the instrument of smoothness. So is a designer. Just as a bassline can smooth out the transitions between musical phrases, a well-crafted design can smooth out the user’s journey, eliminating friction and creating a seamless experience.

Knowing When to Lead, When to Follow

A great bass player knows when to take the lead and when to provide subtle support. They understand the dynamics of the song and adjust their playing accordingly. Similarly, a product designer should be able to navigate the complex dynamics of a product team. Sometimes, they need to take the initiative and drive the design process forward. Other times, they need to step back and support the decisions of others. This requires a balance of confidence and humility. Designers should be confident in their expertise but also open to learning from others.

They should be able to advocate for the user while also considering the needs of the business and the technical constraints of the project. Like a bass player who knows when to play a driving riff and when to lay back and provide a steady groove, designers should be able to adapt their approach to the situation at hand. I have a based on-nothing theory that bassplayers are often overlook but once the baseline is good it’s impossible not to groove from it. In the same way, a designer’s crucial role in maintaining consistency and usability can often be underestimated, but the absence of their steady hand is immediately felt when the product falters.

The “groove” of a good design – the intuitive flow and enjoyable experience – is built upon that very foundation.