Are MVP Designs Still Minimal — or Are We Over-Designing Too Soon?

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The idea of an MVP is simple: launch the smallest, most essential version of a product to test and validate.

But as a designer, I’m noticing a big shift — even MVPs are expected to look polished, brand-ready, and packed with features before they hit the market.

Thanks to no-code tools, AI-generated UI, and intense competition, the pressure to “wow” users from day one is real.
Sometimes it feels like the “minimum” in MVP is disappearing, and we’re designing near-final products before any real validation happens.

I’d love to hear from other designers:

  • Do you keep MVP designs minimal or go for a fully polished experience?

  • Have you seen lean, simple designs succeed — or do users expect premium visuals from day one?

  • How do you balance speed, budget, and aesthetics in early-stage product design?

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