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Structured
UX Design
Critique

2. DTLA UX
Study Group &
Peer Mentorship
January 14, 2105

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Lane Halley
Digital Product Designer
@thinknow

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Why critique?
• Fresh eyes
• Explain our reasoning out loud
• Helps us learn
• Builds trust with our colleagues

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Why it’s painful
• Not focused on right things
• Personal opinions
• Too many voices
• Not actionable
• Doesn’t acknowledge the good parts

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Critique should not
feel like criticism.

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Design is about
solving problems.

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Visual Design
UI
Strategy
Concept
Framework
Flow Brand
Content
Layers of digital design

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Structured critique roles:
• 1 presenter
• A small group of reviewers
• 1 (optional) facilitator

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Presenter
• Prepare your artifacts
• Know your audience
• Define review scope
• Explain the work context
• Listen without judgement
• Capture comments/ideas

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Reviewer(s)
• Questions instead of comments
• Put yourself in the users’ shoes
• Allow space for others to speak
• Help capture the comments/ideas

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Facilitator*
• Explain the process
• Make sure scope and context are clear
• Remind people to play fair
• Keep track of time
* A reviewer can also facilitate

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Conversation
starters and tips

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Scope of review
• How finished is the work?
• What type of feedback would be helpful?
• What problems are you aware of?
• Are there any particular constraints?

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Context of work
• Who is this for?
• When do they use it?
• What are they trying to accomplish?
• Is this part of a larger system/solution?

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Function and appearance
• What was your reasoning here...?
• What do you want the user to do/think...?
• What happens when...?
• Have you considered...?

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How to capture ideas
• Print out copies and write on them yourself
• Ask reviewers to mark their comments on
stickies and attach to printed copies
• Use an online tool like InVision or UXPin

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Resources
• A model for UX design reviews | Davin's blog
• User Experience (UX) is a Team Sport
• Setting the Foundation for Meaningful Critiques:
Goals, Principles, Personas and Scenarios
• Design Critique | 10 Bad Habits
• How to run a design critique
• My website, www.theapprenticepath.com