The document outlines guidelines for conducting design critiques, emphasizing that they focus on understanding and improvement rather than judgment. It details a structured approach involving a critique brief, facilitator roles, and collaborative discussions among participants to ensure effective feedback aligned with design goals. Key tips are provided for both giving and receiving critiques, highlighting the importance of context, constructive feedback, and documenting discussions for future reference.

1. Design critiques
Friday session
They’re aboutunderstandingandimprovement,notjudgement.

2. What’s a critique?
How we’ll do them.
Survival tips.

3. Critique is about criticising
designs and giving
feedback, right?
“

4. WRONG
INTENT

5. They’re about criticising
designs and giving
feedback, right?
“

6. A structured approach to
discussing how effectively
design decisions align to
goals.
“

7. I am showing [early/mid/late] work
Around [the problem]
Because [why it’s a problem]
I’m looking for feedback around [specific focus for feedback]
I’m not looking for feedback regarding [consideration] due to [constraint]
Critique brief

8. What are critiques?
How we’ll do them.
Survival tips.

9. Designer writes a critique brief
and collates artefacts to illustrate
the design problem and solution.
Designer asks for a critique on
Skype with their availability.
3-5 people from UR&D agree to
critique the work.
Someone volunteers to
Facilitate.
Before During After

10. Facilitator confirms the agenda.
Designer explains the scope,
context and design problem.
Facilitator confirms everyone
understands the problem.
Designer shows the thing.
Everyone explores how the
solution aligns to the goals,
discusses design decisions and
questions choices.
Facilitator gives a summary of
what’s been discussed and asks
the designer their next steps
(and potential follow up).
Before During After
Designer writes a critique brief
and collates artefacts to illustrate
the design problem and solution.
Designer asks for a critique on
Skype with their availability.
3-5 people from UR&D agree to
join and critique the work.
Someone volunteers to
Facilitate.

11. Facilitator confirms the agenda.
Designer explains the scope,
context and design problem.
Facilitator confirms everyone
understands the problem.
Designer shows the thing.
Everyone explores how the
solution aligns to the goals,
discusses design decisions and
questions choices.
Facilitator gives a summary of
what’s been discussed and asks
the designer their next steps
(and potential follow up).
Facilitator saves critique brief,
design artefacts and notes to
google drive for future reference.
Designer iterates and delivers a
more robust design
Everyone learns from the
discussions and applies
learnings to their work.
Before During After
Designer writes a critique brief
and collates artefacts to illustrate
the design problem and solution.
Designer asks for a critique on
Skype with their availability.
3-5 people from UR&D agree to
join and critique the work.
Someone volunteers to
Facilitate.

12. What are critiques?
How we’ll do them.
Survival tips.

13. Receiving
critique

14. Remember the purpose
Critiqueisaboutunderstandingandimprovement, notjudgement.
When receiving critique…

15. Participate
Discuss yourdesignsalongwitheveryoneelse.
When receiving critique…

16. Be quick and efficient
Circlebacktothings thatneedsmorediscussionafterwards.
When receiving critique…

17. Set the context
Useinsight togeteveryoneonthesamepage.
When receiving critique…

18. Setting
context

19. Design principles
Statementsthatcapturethedesiredqualitiesor
characteristicsofthe finalsolution.
Set the context with…

20. Personas
User archetypesthatdescribebehaviours,goals,
expectations,knowledge,ability,etc.
Set the context with…

21. Scenarios
Shortnarrativesthat describethedesiredbehaviours,
thoughts,andemotionsofusers.
Set the context with…

22. Goals
Desired,measurableoutcomesoftheuserinteractingwith
theproduct orservice.
Canbeuseroriented,businessorientedorboth.
Set the context with…

23. Giving
critique

24. Use a filter
Gather initialthoughts andreactions.Revisitthemintherightcontext.
When giving critique…

25. Don’t make it personal
Directthefeedbacktowardsthework,notthedesigner
When giving critique…

26. Don’t assume
Findoutthereasons behindthinking,constraints,andothervariables.
When giving critique…

27. Talk about strengths
Critiqueisn’taboutthethingsthataren’tworking.
When giving critique…

28. Lead with questions
Showaninterestintheirprocessandlearnmoreabouttheirobjectives.
When giving critique…

29. Facilitating
critique

30. Keep time
Timeboxdiscussionssodesignscanbeevaluated in
theirentirety.
When facilitating critique…

31. Ensure understanding
Keepdesigndiscussions focusedbyconfirming
everyoneunderstandsgoalsandscopeatthebeginning.
When facilitating critique…

32. Moderate feedback
Ask“Why?”inresponse toreactionslike“Iloveit”and
helpparticipantsalignfeedbacktogoals.
When facilitating critique…

33. Take notes
Documentthediscussioninacollaborative
placethatcanbereferencedbyall.
When facilitating critique…

34. Conclusion.

35. Questions?