giving design critique

Ask QuestionsLots of Questions: Giving Good Design CritiqueAlexa Herasimchuk

Alexa Herasimchukalexaleighh.com

Product Designer, Yelp

Design Critique

Critique = feedback session

That’s me!Thesis midterm, Fall 2014

Critiques aren’t about you

Critique Rules

Establish clear rolesEnsure everyone understands and

agrees on the problem

Focus on feedback, not criticism

Laptops and phonesstay closed

1 2

3 4

Rule 1: Establish clear roles

The Presenter

The Audience

The Facilitator

Rule 2: Understand and agree on the problem

I am showing early/mid/late workaround the problem becausewhy it’s a problem and am looking for feedback around specific focus for feedback

Rule 3: Focus on feedback, not criticism

–TEARS DOWN

“I don’t like ______”

+BUILDS UP

“Have you thought about ______?”

–PASSES JUDGEMENT

“That decision is bad”

+POSES QUESTIONS

“Why did you make that decision?”

–PERSONAL

“I don’t like that color”

+OBJECTIVE

“That color isn’t working because…”

Audience, frame your sentences

+This is working because…

–or– This is not working because…

+Ask (lots of) questions!

Rule 4: Laptops and phones stay closed

Questions?Send me an email: alexah@yelp.com

Some Useful Links

1. Four Things Working at Facebook Has Taught Me About Design CritiqueTanner Christensen, Product Designer at Facebook

2. How to give and receive a good design critiqueAIGA.org

3. Stop dreading feedback conversationsSYPartners

4. How to do a Product CritiqueJulie Zhuo, VP of Product Design at Facebook