How to Holdan Effective Critique

AgendaPart 1 (For Students) Critiques vs. Comments Why Critique? What to Look For Criticism: How to Give it Criticism: How to Take it

Part 2 (For Teachers) Suggestions for the Classroom

Standards Addressed:3.1 (Industry language)4.5 (Written critiques)7.9 (Pre-production)8.2, 9.1 (Production)8.11, 10.6 (Forum/digital critique)11.0 (Critique through every phase)12.4 Presentation

Critique vs. CommentsAre they the same? Critique = specific; actionable; make

something better as a whole; solving a specific problem.

I like it!

I don’t like it.

Why Critique?Real-world application for ANY industry … or walk of life. Boss to employee Employee to customer/client Parent to child Friend to friend

Creation is communication.

Deep down, designers love

feedback.(we just might not be on the same page as everyone else. )

What to Look ForDesign fundamentals = Backbone of good critiques. Note where your eyes go first.

(Emphasis, Movement, Simplicity)

Squint your eyes.(Balance, Contrast)

Scan diagonally from top left to bottom right.(Movement)

Find the Intersections(Balance, Unity, Movement)

What five things do you remember most?(Emphasis, Unity, overall effectiveness)

3.1 (Industry language)

Criticism: How to Give itThe “A.C.E” Method:

AppreciateIdentify something done well or correctly.

CoachSpecify ways to improve.

EncourageReassure of success.

A.C.E. Practice 1

A.C.E. Practice 2

A.C.E. Practice 3

Criticism: How to Take itHow you take criticism is more important than how it is given. Showing that you can hear and respond thoughtfully to feedback reflects well on YOU.

“It can be hard not to be struck dumb, thrown into doubt, when someone criticizes your work. It’s like they’re criticizing you. But they’re not. They’re critiquing your work.It’s an output, not your essence.”

- John Moore Williams, Director of Content Strategy at InVision

Criticism: How to Take it Don’t think defensively. If the suggested change makes sense, get

the person to expand on it. If the suggested change doesn’t make

sense, argue against it (design fundamentals).

When in doubt, ask “Why?” Feel free to ignore suggestions.

But if you hear the same one twice or more, it’s definitely worth considering.

Suggestions for the Classroom

Lead by Example

Model the type of language and format you’d like your students to use when providing

feedback.

How Often?You should hold critiques at every stage of a project. Different stages call for different levels of criticism. Pre-Production

Research/brainstorming/thumbnails Production

Roughs/revisions Post-Production

Final outcome

11.0 (Critique through every phase)

Ideas: Pre-Production If students are working in a group, have

them vote on the most interesting ideas to take further.

Pair students together for brainstorming/thumbnail sessions.

Make the Pre-Production work an actual assignment and select 3-5 of their best ideas as part of your grading process.

4.5 (Written critiques)7.9 (Pre-

production)

Ideas: Production This is the digital age! Have students post

their progress on forums, discussion threads, social media, etc. and have their peers give feedback.(Just be sure to set ground rules)

https://muut.com/critiquedemo/ “Review Breaks”: Have students take a 10-

minute break during lab time and walk around the room to see what their peers are doing.

4.5 (Written critiques)8.2, 9.1 (Production)

8.11, 10.6 (Forum/digital critique)

Ideas: Post-Production Start with a silent “review” – all work is

displayed and everyone takes a look silently.

Have students present to smaller groups rather than the whole class.

During presentation, have students cover these three talking points: Why they made the decisions they did (color,

font, images) Their favorite part of the piece Where they think they could improve

8.2, 9.1 (Production)12.4 Presentation

Your Ideas?

What’s been successful for YOU?

Q&A

Any other questions or concerns?

Thank YouResources and references: 10 Creative Critiques to Try (The Art of Ed) Free Forum tool: Muut.com 5 Tips on Taking Design Feedback (InVision) How to Give Designers Better Feedback (InVision) The Good Creative (free Kindle eBook) 4 Tips for Getting Better Client Feedback (InVision) The Forrst Park Guide to Giving Feedback (ZURB) 5 Steps to Getting Better Feedback on Your Design Projects

(Interaction Design Foundation)