When Is It Really Done? Thoughts on MVPs and Pixel Perfection

Interaction design is one of those rare disciplines that sits right at the crossroads of human instinct and digital logic. It's not just about screens or features, it’s about shaping experiences that feel effortless, regardless of the user’s background, device, or comfort level with technology.

Lately, I’ve been focused on designing a mobile app from the ground up. After multiple feedback loops and thoughtful iterations, I landed on an MVP. I approached the process with this insight from Eric Ries:

“We must learn what customers really want, not what they say they want or what we think they should want.”

That became my north star.

I dove into user personas, mapped their journeys, and built an interface around real goals and pain points. Eventually, I pulled together a prototype I felt good about. But then came the hard part: knowing when to stop.

You see, I’m a pixel hunter.

Every time I reviewed the design, I noticed something to refine. A padding here. A shadow adjustment there. And it got me thinking:

How do you know when it’s done? When is your design ready to be released into the wild?

Here’s the personal rulebook I’ve developed for defining a solid MVP:

• It meets all core functionality and requirements
• No dead ends, every interaction moves the user closer to their goal
• The design is clean, intentional, and friction-free

Once the MVP is live, I switch gears. Feedback becomes the foundation for version 1.1, 1.2, and beyond. The work evolves,but it has to start somewhere.

I’ll leave you with this reminder from Eric Ries:

“As you consider building your own minimum viable product, let this simple rule suffice: remove any feature, process, or effort that does not contribute directly to the learning you seek.”

So here’s to knowing when to let go, ship it, and keep growing.