A design review, also known as a design critique or "crit," is a collaborative process where designers present their work to peers, stakeholders, or a multidisciplinary team for feedback.

The goal is to evaluate the design’s alignment with project goals, user needs, and overall effectiveness. While the term "critique" can sometimes carry negative connotations, a well-run design review is a constructive and supportive discussion focused on improvement, not criticism.

Key elements of a design review include:

1. Presentation: The designer explains their process, decisions, and goals for the design.

2. Feedback: Participants offer insights, ask questions, and identify strengths and areas for improvement.

3. Collaboration: Ideas are exchanged, helping refine and enhance the design.

When done positively, a design review fosters growth, encourages diverse perspectives, and leads to better outcomes by ensuring the design meets user needs and project objectives.

The age old challenge as a designer: Accepting constructive criticism 🤌🏽

As designers, our passion fuels our creativity but this attachment can sometimes can cloud our objectivity. As I grew to learn this creative catch twenty-two, I recognised the need for a robust feedback mechanisms without being emotionally attached to my work

Design Critiques are a powerful tool that has helped elevate not only my own work but also my team's approach to continual development. This case study delves into the evolution of a versatile design critique template, refined through many rounds of trial and error. 

Formalising Constructive Feedback Reception

Guided by mentors, inspired workshops and reads from Articulating Design Decisions by Tom Greever, Continuous Discovery by Teresa Torres and Death by Screens by Ben Sauer, I curated a template for collecting critiques in under 30 minutes, applicable to diverse design reviews.

Preparation

Before engaging in a design workshop, evaluate the need for critique. If feedback is warranted, follow these steps:

1. Building a Design Template:

• Assess whether minor edits or a comprehensive critique is needed.

• Construct an adaptable template catering to specific critique objectives (more on this below).

2. Invite your esteemed participants

• Collaborate with a note-taker for seamless session management.

• Extend invitations to relevant stakeholders.

How to: Design Crit

Step 1: Write a short Introduction

Set the tone for the critique with a concise introduction. Establish guidelines, encouraging all ideas, providing individual feedback opportunities, and emphasising collaboration.

Step 2: Guide the critiquing Process

Define how feedback should be provided. Utilise emojis to categorise feedback as "Suggestion 🤌," "URGENT ⛔️," or "Nice to have ✨." This promotes thoughtful reflection, enriching the design conversation.

Step 3: Specify feedback focus:

Clarify aspects open for critique and what to exclude. Provide a structured list, such as:

- Layout of the page (Content Designer focus)

- Potential responsiveness (Developer input)

- Benefits assessment (Product Owner perspective)

Step 4: Address What You DO and DON'T Want Feedback On:

Clearly communicate the critique's scope. Utilise emojis to emphasise focus without attempting to solve every issue in one session.

Step 5: Mention any caveats:

Transparently communicate the design's state, highlighting untested areas or work in progress. Acknowledge potential assumptions, reassuring participants that the critique is a collaborative effort.

This adaptable template, honed through experience, has proven effective in diverse design contexts, fostering a culture of continual improvement within my team. 🌐💡