In the world of product design, there is a prevailing image of the "visionary" designer—someone who walks into a room with total certainty, presents a final solution, and never looks back. We are often told that confidence is the hallmark of seniority.

But there is a dangerous myth circulating in our industry: "Confident designers never doubt themselves."

The reality of being a Senior Product Designer is quite the opposite. If you aren’t doubting your work, you aren't doing UX. Here is why self-doubt, when channeled correctly, is actually your greatest asset:

A. Doubt Drives Better Research

When we are overconfident, we stop asking questions. Most UX research fails before design begins because designers seek validation for their ideas rather than the objective truth. Honest research—the kind that leads to great products—is built on the humble assumption that your initial idea might be wrong.

B. Doubt Refines the Experience

Applying core principles like Hick’s Law or Miller’s Law requires us to constantly second-guess if we are overwhelming the user. A designer who "never doubts" is likely to ignore the friction points that frustrate users. It is the doubt that forces us to remove the noise and find clarity.

C. Doubt Leads to Better Decisions

Most UX problems don’t start with design; they start with decisions. Confident designers use doubt to pressure-test their choices. They ask, "Am I building for everyone and reaching no one?" or "Am I assuming the user thinks like a founder?".

Conclusion

True confidence in design isn't the absence of doubt; it’s the ability to act in spite of it. It’s the maturity to bring users into the process early, listen to feedback even when it hurts, and shape decisions based on evidence rather than ego.

Stop trying to be "certain." Start being curious.