Discussing Design: Improving Communication and Collaboration through Critique

by Adam Connor

The problem with asking for feedback is that, most times, we aren’t being specific enough in describing what we want feedback on and why we are asking for it.

When looking for feedback on our designs, we should be working to understand whether we believe that what has been designed will work to achieve those objectives.

Good critique is comprised of three key elements: It identifies a specific aspect of the idea or a decision in the design being analyzed. It relates that aspect or decision to an objective or best practice. It describes how and why the aspect or decision work to support or not support the objective or best practice.

Critique isn’t about that instant reaction we might feel when seeing something, or about how we would change someone’s design to better solve an issue. Critique is a form of analysis that uses critical thinking to determine whether a design is expected to achieve its desired objectives (and adhere to any pertinent best practices or heuristics).

Knowing what we want and what we’re asking for makes all the difference in how our conversations play out.