2 BEYOND #DESIGNTWITTER How to discuss design with critique 

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6 This is terrible. I have no Idea what this means. I would never use this. 
 Nobody will use this. We should make it a dropdown
 instead of radio buttons. Looks ugly. 
 Make it pretty. WTF… 
 why do we even do this? Can you make it pop?! The logo needs to be bigger Change the order of the buttons 
 so the 3rd and 1st one are switched I don’t like the green.
 We should be more blue? No, that won’t work.
 What if we do it my way… It should be 
 more like Apple You can’t use an Android pattern in an iOS App. Users will never be able to get it. I would have used a FAB.
 It’s just cooler than this here… 

7 Critique is a skill. You only get better with practice. – Adam Connor 

8 https://www.nngroup.com/articles/design-critiques/ 

9 Types of feedback „Good lord, that’s awful.“ „Oh yea, that’s nice. I really like it.“ 

9 Types of feedback „Good lord, that’s awful.“ „Oh yea, that’s nice. I really like it.“ „I would have used a slider.“ „Can you move the button to the right?“ Reactive Feedback 

9 Types of feedback „Good lord, that’s awful.“ „Oh yea, that’s nice. I really like it.“ „If this is our objective… then it makes sense to revisit…“ „I would have used a slider.“ „Can you move the button to the right?“ Reactive Feedback Directive Feedback 

9 Types of feedback „Good lord, that’s awful.“ „Oh yea, that’s nice. I really like it.“ „If this is our objective… then it makes sense to revisit…“ „I would have used a slider.“ „Can you move the button to the right?“ Reactive Feedback Critique Directive Feedback 

10 A decision making format Intention: approval to move on End of the design process A feedback format Intention: iterative design process Continuously done Design Review Design Critique 

11 " Analyzing Problem solving ! How do we think about design? Desktop 1 2 3 4 

12 What is the objective? What elements of the design are related to the objective? Are those elements effective in achieving the objective? Why? Why not? 

13 Why do we critique? • Feedback: two brains are better than one • Enable cooperation and collaboration • Share knowledge and learning 

? 14 How does it work 

15 Session setup • 30 min • one topic • facilitated discussion • weekly rotation Facilitator Designer Critic Critic Critic 

19 Diversity is very valuable on design feedback, because 
 it fosters different points of view. 

20 Session agenda (30min) briefing (pre-shared) presentation critique discussion wrap-up ~ 2 min. ~ 5 min. ~ 20 min. ~ 3 min. 

! 21 Lessons Learned 

22 When to do Critique? Design Critique 

23 [title] I’m showing [early/mid/late] work
 Around [the problem] Because [why is it a problem] and am looking for feedback [specific focus for feedback] 
 Attachment: Artwork to be discussed How to prepare a design critique? 

23 How to prepare a design critique? [title] Status: [early/mid/late] work
 Product objectives: [what do we want to achieve?] User needs/scenarios: [which user problem to be solved?] Feedback: [specific focus for feedback] 
 Attachment: Artwork to be discussed 

23 How to prepare a design critique? Checkout Page Status: early work
 Product objectives: improve conversion rate on checkout User needs: check basket, payment & shipping details before purchase Feedback: information architecture and wording 
 Attachment: Artwork to be discussed 

24 Key learnings running critique • Facilitation is key. • Be 100% clear about the objectives. • Lead with questions and focus on identifying the problem. 

25 Not all problems one person sees, can and have to be discussed. 

26 Tips running critique • Always argue towards the objectives. • Take notes in an open & shared manner. • You DO NOT have to have an agreement or find a consensus! • The designer is responsible for decisions and follow up. 

27 Resist the impulse to find a solution to a problem in a critique session! 

28 Engaging in a focused discussion is important to move forward. 

? 29 How to get there? 

30 Improve as a designer • Be 100% aware of your design objectives • Stop defending & start critiquing • Focus on understanding feedback 

31 Professional as a critic • Don’t assume – ask • Argue your feedback towards objectives • Talk about strength 

32 Becoming a good facilitator • Look out for reactive or directive feedback • Moderate from solution space to problem analysis • Watch out for domination or falling behind 

33 The secret to getting ahead is getting started – Marc Twain 

JAN KIEKEBEN Senior Product Designer @ XING @jjchieferson CRITICS WANTED WE ARE HIRING