Running Effective Design Critiques

One of the best ways to receive feedback is through design critique workshops. In a critique, designers present their work to a group and solicited feedback from their peers. These sessions can be invaluable for getting honest feedback and perspective on one’s work. However, they can also be frustrating, unfocused, and even hostile. As a result, it’s important to know how to run an effective design critique.

One of the most important elements of a successful critique is having a clear purpose. The group should agree on what type of feedback they want to receive and what the goals of the session are. It’s also important to have a good mix of people in the group, including both junior and senior designers, as well as people from different disciplines.

The person leading the critique (sometimes called the “critique facilitator”) also plays a critical role in determining its success. The facilitator should be skilled in both giving and receiving feedback, and they should be able to keep the group focused on the task at hand. They should also be prepared to offer help and guidance when needed but resist the temptation to take over the critique.

These mentors have all run countless design critique sessions and can help guide in how you should run yours.