Week 4: Participating in Design Critique Sessions
Feedback exchange, its taking, and its implantation plays a major area of influence in the design process. This one course session teaches and educates on how to best give feedback and how well it should be received. It also addresses design critique sessions which contribute heavily to the UX designer role you are planning. Lastly, in this lesson, you will have the chance to turn feedback into practical steps in revising and improving your designs.
Learning Objectives:
- Demonstrate the conversion of feedback into actionable steps for revisions.
- Give and define a role and purpose of a design critique session.
- Indicate any popular ways of providing and receiving feedback.
- Justify the importance of feedback in furture UX according to size.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ON DESIGN CRITIQUE SESSIONS
1. Fill in the blank: A critique session is a common feedback activity where designers present their work to team members. Participants can play one of three main roles: _______, presenter, or reviewer.
- Facilitator (CORRECT)
- trainer
- designer
- creator
Correct: Attending an art review involves following a definition of roles within that kind of activity: facilitator, presenter, and critic.
2. What are the benefits of hosting a design critique session? Select all that apply.
- They provide an opportunity to understand why one team member’s design style is better than another’s.
- They are a great opportunity for a new designer to practice giving feedback to other team members. (CORRECT)
- They are an opportunity for people to come together to exchange ideas and make a collective choice on a design direction, in person or remotely. (CORRECT)
- They can help new designers identify different perspectives to consider design problems from. (CORRECT)
Design critique serves the purpose of engaging in mutual feedback from team members. As they discuss drafts among themselves for more polishes, many different perspectives can be seen concerning the array of design problems faced.
Design critique brings together people to exchange ideas, and mutually make collective decisions about the design. These can either be done face to face or otherwise. The designer is also able to view drastically opposing design problems from the perspectives of different people as well as participate in practice feedbacks.
Design critique is also conducive for new designers to note the various perspectives on design issues. For any designer, it serves as a very good time for idea exchange and practice in giving feedback.
3. Florence is preparing for the first design critique session for a new product with a few team members. Identify the questions that could help them prepare for questions during the presentation.
- Are you a good designer?
- What’s the best approach in taking advantage of the end user you’re trying to reach?
- What aspects of your designs are you seeking feedback on? (CORRECT)
- What problem are you trying to solve? (CORRECT)
Asking questions like “What problem am I trying to solve?” and “What aspects of your designs are you seeking feedback on?” is a great way to prepare for a design critique session. It’s helpful to have a clear understanding of the problems you’re trying to solve and what you’d like feedback on, so the direction and goal of the meeting are clear.
Asking questions like “What problem am I trying to solve?” and “What aspects of your designs are you seeking feedback on?” is a great way to prepare for a design critique session and will likely be asked by your peers.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ON IMPLEMENTING FEEDBACK FROM CRIT SESSIONS
1. Why is it important to have design critique (crit) sessions?
- So team members can assign tasks for upcoming project phases
- So team members can critique the presenter’s performance and offer feedback
- So team members can come together to exchange ideas and make a collective choice on a design direction (CORRECT)
- So team members can define design objectives for the product
Correct: Crit sessions these are the meetings where designers get to present their work, and then they get feedback from colleagues. With this they will now be able to modify things in their designs for the better.
2. What is the presenter’s role in a design critique session? Select all that apply.
- To challenge the reviewers’ feedback
- To process and take action on the reviewers’ feedback (CORRECT)
- To prepare for the presentation ahead of the session (CORRECT)
- To share their designs with the group (CORRECT)
The instructor also needs to air their wardrobe to the group and need to have time planning a specific assignment for that individual.
A person must share their designs with the group during training while preparing to carry out all the necessary work and process the feedback provided by the trainer.
It is possible to share the designs with the group, come up with defined objectives as well as relevant information to engage with the group, and be prepared to process and take action on feedback.
3. You just completed your first design critique session. You review the notes and reflect on the feedback you received. What questions should you consider before you take any further action? Select all that apply.
- How can I incorporate all the reviewers’ feedback in my actions?
- Where should I focus my attention during the next phase?
- What feedback do I want to take action on to improve my designs or the user experience? (CORRECT)
- How can I synthesize the feedback from the critique session? (CORRECT)
Ask the designer questions like “How can I synthesize the feedback from my critique session?” as well as “What feedback do I care to act upon in order to improve my own designs or user experience?” Keeping the user’s perspectives in mind will be very useful to help the designer distance herself from feedback that just doesn’t require any action.
Ask the designer questions like “How can I synthesize the feedback from my critique session ideally?” as well as “What feedback do I care to act upon in order to improve my own designs or user experience?” Sticking to the user angle enables the designer to say what to take from the feedback for further action on the designer’s part.
4. When addressing feedback from a design critique session, what kinds of requests should a designer take action on? Select all that apply.
- Feedback on design style choices based on the reviewers’ preferences
- Feedback on any design element’s inconsistencies (CORRECT)
- Feedback related to the design’s accessibility (CORRECT)
- Feedback on the design’s functionality (CORRECT)
It is important to put all fears to rest with consistency for the user’s common experiences with the components of the layout, and for this task, the designers should definitely handle requests concerning the accessibility and functionality of concrete designs.
It is important to address such issues that may affect the design’s accessibility, so that no user group will face problems while using it. Designers should also take action on requests regarding the design’s accessibility and any inconsistencies.
That issue should, therefore, be resolved by finding out about an inconsistency within the functionality of design, even if others would be involved in the team-like engineers, the designers should also take action on requests regarding the design’s accessibility and any inconsistencies.
WEEKLY CHALLENGE 4: PARTICIPATE IN DESIGN CRITIQUE SESSIONS
1. Receiving feedback from a diverse audience is one of the goals of soliciting feedback.
- True (CORRECT)
- False
Correct: Feedback is said to be the bread that widens the area of the designer when designing, and benefit aid in catering to diverse audiences so much that it eradicates a person’s bias despite how he/she will design.
2. Which helpful tips should you consider when giving feedback? Select all that apply.
- Limit the feedback to address only major issues
- Support the feedback with a reason (CORRECT)
- Describe problems with the design, not offer solutions (CORRECT)
- Adjust the feedback for each situation (CORRECT)
Feedback, of course, is much less helpful without supportive governance in the form of reasons and explanations. Offering action-oriented advice for improvement does a lot to help any designer grow.
Feedback on design issues might be better received than giving personal design suggestions when you don’t know how things could be improved. Would you like another designer to criticize your work and tell you how to fix it? Or would you rather design your own ways of solving an issue and receive feedback so that you could improve?
Not all feedback has the same merit, so it is rather impossible that one way in which feedback is given might be the same in every situation. For example, a power-distance perspective must be examined-someone’s role and level of experience.
3. Fill in the blank: A design critique session is a planned period of time where UX designers present their work to team members and ____.
- get inspiration from other designers
- listen to feedback (CORRECT)
- provide insight
- critique other designers
Correct: A UI design critique session happens on fixed occasions for the purpose of showing off UI designs to team members and receiving their feedback.
4. After a productive design critique session, Reina is ready to take the next steps and integrate feedback into her design. First, Reina starts implementing feedback that stuck out to her during the session first. Some of the feedback required her to consult a specialist. Reina opted not to implement feedback that didn’t align with the design plans. Afterward, she began implementing the feedback into the design. Which action did she forget to take?
- Create a spreadsheet that identities high-priority issues with the design
- Review and synthesize feedback (CORRECT)
- Consult colleagues on design choices
- Identify options for new designs
Correct: After a design critique session, it’s a good idea to begin reviewing and synthesizing the feedback before diving into implementation. While still valid, some of the feedback Reina received may not be necessary to address.
5. What are some advantages of receiving feedback as a UX designer? Select all that apply.
- Matches the designer’s personal bias
- Improves the design (CORRECT)
- Broadens the designer’s perspective (CORRECT)
- Builds confidence and skills (CORRECT)
Feedback is vital for better design modifications by designers to get effortless manipulation sounds regarding their work.
Feedback is helpful in a designer’s wider awareness to problem opportunities that, according to the person better skilled, may be left unexplored by the designer.
Feedback assists in the develop and improve qualitative management, showing designers wherein they have showed progress or not.
6. When synthesizing feedback from a design critique session, what are some things a designer should do?
- The designer should start by identifying themes in the feedback from multiple reviewers. (CORRECT)
- The designer should make sure that every piece of feedback is somehow implemented into the designs.
- The designer should let that reviewer know that their suggestion was unnecessary when their feedback is not applied as an action item.
- The designer should always make the decision alone on whether or not to implement a piece of feedback.
Correct: The designer could do the same thing when synthesizing feedback from design critique as he or she does in the process of analyzing feedback gathered during usability study.
7. In a design critique session of Arnaud’s design, a reviewer who experiences color-blindness reported that it was difficult to see the button copy. What would be a good course of action for Arnaud to address this feedback?
- Stick with the original button design because the colors came from the design system.
- Find a color and text combination that passes accessibility standards and apply the changes wherever needed. (CORRECT)
- Change the background color of that individual button.
- Go back to the reviewer to test different designs by trial and error on the spot.
Correct: We need to get back to the subject of feedbacks about improving design for accessibility. But let’s suggest that there might be key importance in doing something like that, to include key thoughts about an entire system.
8. How can a designer overcome reservations about giving and receiving feedback?
- Build fewer designs
- Practice and reflect on feedback over time (CORRECT)
- Follow all feedback or advice
- Consider feedback from only senior team members
Correct: Usually, it is through practicing and reflecting on time that designers will get over shame feelings and can accept criticism constructively and also giving it.
9. Fill in the blank: In a design critique session, the _____ is the person responsible for running the session and guiding the process.
- reviewer
- presenter
- facilitator (CORRECT)
- notetaker
Correct: Running things smoothly during the design critique class is the duty of the facilitator.
10. Imagine a design team conducting a critique session for a design prototype. A design critique participant provides feedback and offers clear actions to take for the next iteration. Which critique session role does this demonstrate?
- facilitator
- reviewer (CORRECT)
- presenter
- notetaker
Correct: It is during a session of the critique design that feedback is elicited from the critic and recommendations of clear directions to be undertaken in light of the feedbacks offered are either suggested or hinted at.
11. Identify advantages of receiving feedback. Select all that apply?
- Focuses the designer’s perspective on the most important goal
- Broadens the designer’s perspective (CORRECT)
- Improves designs (CORRECT)
- Builds the designer’s confidence and skills (CORRECT)
Stringing the sentence together with the search words: This help develops a broader perspective in designing the good outcome. Identifying the good points of the design and trying for perfection is what the designer aims to do here.
There are many benefits designers derive from regular design feedback, one being development. This allows teammates or reviewers to suggest or propose ideas a designer, himself, would have missed.
Confidence can be built in designers by providing feedback on a regular basis as it can be a learning curve for recognising and getting there: over time, improvements have been noticed.
12. What are the advantages of hosting a design critique session? Select all that apply.
- Design critique sessions decrease tension between colleagues
- Design critique session increase team camaraderie
- Design critique session are a chance for many people to come together to exchange ideas and make a collective choice on a design direction, in person or remotely (CORRECT)
- Design critique sessions are a great opportunity for designers to practice giving feedback to other team members (CORRECT)
Design critique sessions serve as structured opportunities for UX designers to showcase their work to team members, facilitating a collaborative environment where participants can share insights and reach a collective decision on the design direction, whether conducted in person or remotely.
These sessions also empower designers to refine their skills in both providing and receiving constructive feedback.
13. Harpreet presented her design during a design critique session. After synthesizing the comments, one comment stood out the most: the design needed to consider a more accessible user interface and colors. What action can Harpreet take to convert this feedback into actionable steps?
- Discuss alternatives that work around the feedback rather than addressing it.
- Consider consulting a diversity and accessibility representative at the company. (CORRECT)
- Refrain from taking action until she receives a better reason for the feedback.
- Identify feedback that’s more important and focus on those critiques first.
Correct: Following a consultation with a diversity and accessibility advisor, Harpreet can select the suitable colors and user interface options to integrate into the design.
14. Tim has synthesized notes from a design critique session and wants to prioritize possible actions from the feedback received. What type of feedback should be addressed first?
- Feedback related to Tim’s choice of stylistic options
- Feedback related to the team member’s suggested solutions
- Feedback related to the design’s function affecting the user’s overall experience (CORRECT)
- Feedback related to the stakeholders’ expectations for the design
Correct: Tim should take action on feedback related to critical items affecting the user’s experience, including usability and accessibility.
15. The newest member of a design team emails another designer to review the mockups they drafted. How should the more senior designer reply?
- They should reply with a list of all the design elements that are wrong and detail exactly how to fix them.
- They should forward the email to the Lead UX designer without a reply because they’re short on time.
- They should recognize what the new team member did well, list a couple of potential issues, and offer to meet in person to discuss them further. (CORRECT)
- In order to spare the new team member’s feelings, ignore any problems, and say that everything looks perfect.
Correct: It’s always a good idea to make enough time to deliver feedback in an appropriate and helpful way.
16. Fill in the blank: When reflecting on how much feedback to give and receive, it is helpful for designers to understand that _____.
- they don’t have to always follow all the feedback or advice (CORRECT)
- they don’t need a lot of feedback
- they don’t have to give a lot of feedback
- they don’t have to ask for feedback all the time
Correct: With dedication and experience, designers can understand that they are not obligated to implement every piece of feedback or advice received. This practice fosters their confidence in making independent design choices.
17. A design team plans a critique session for their latest prototype. They ask one of the members to be prepared to share the design and remain actively engaged in the session to ensure that the feedback is clearly understood. What role is this an example of?
- Facilitator
- Notetaker
- Presenter (CORRECT)
- Reviewer
Correct: The presenter shares the work with others in the critique session and engages with the reviewer to ensure the feedback is clearly understood.
18. Fill in the blank: In a design critique session, the _____ is the person who shares their designs to the team for feedback.
- facilitator
- reviewer
- notetaker
- presenter (CORRECT)
Correct: A design critique session can’t happen without a presenter to share their work.
19. Why are design critique sessions held?
- Design critique sessions create a healthy level of competitive tension between designers
- Design critique sessions provide design practice
- Design critique sessions give the team ample time to answer critical business questions on the design project
- Design critique sessions provide designers an opportunity to present their work and receive feedback (CORRECT)
Correct: Design critique sessions offer designers the opportunity to present their work and receive feedback. They also provide a chance for people to come together, exchange ideas, and make a collective decision on a design direction, either in person or remotely.
20. After a productive design critique session, May received a variety of suggestions to consider. Identify a question they should ask while going through the feedback?
- How do I create a new design with this information?
- Am I ready to consider the feedback that’s critiquing my work?
- What feedback do I want to take action on to improve my designs or the user experience? (CORRECT)
- Which member’s critique should I value most?
Correct: After synthesizing the feedback from the design critique session, May should ask herself: What feedback do I want to take action on to improve my designs or the user experience?
21. Which of the following is an example of good feedback?
- “I like the colors you’re using, but I think the buttons might need adjusting because they are a little hard to find in the design.” (CORRECT)
- “I think you should add a divider to separate these two sections, and you should put a drop shadow on this image.”
- “I think there’s still a lot of room for improvement.”
- “I don’t know why, but I just don’t like this color here.”
Correct: This feedback recognizes the work the designer has done well, identifies a potential problem with the reasoning behind it, and allows the designer to come up with their own solution.
22. After a designer has presented their designs in a design critique, what are the next steps?
- Meet with each reviewer again to confirm their feedback.
- Process the feedback from reviewers and start generating action items. (CORRECT)
- Scrap the designs and start from scratch with the feedback in mind.
- Move on to a new project.
Correct: A key part of the design critique process is transforming feedback into actionable items.
23. What should a designer consider when reflecting on how much feedback they give and receive at each stage of a project? Select all that apply.
- Am I ready to act on the feedback?
- Am I open to receiving feedback?
- Am I able to comfortably give constructive feedback about another designer’s project? (CORRECT)
- Am I checking in regularly with other team members to get feedback on my designs? (CORRECT)
When reflecting on their feedback experiences, designers should consider how comfortable they are sharing their opinions about another designer’s project.
When reflecting on their feedback experiences, designers should think about how often they request feedback from other team members.
24. During a design critique session, which role provides feedback about the design and offers clear actions to take?
- Facilitator
- Presenter
- Reviewer (CORRECT)
- Notetaker
Correct: The reviewer provides feedback about the design and offers clear actions to take.
25. Identify advantages of receiving feedback. Select all that apply.
- Focuses the designer’s perspective on the most important goal
- Improves designs (CORRECT)
- Builds the designer’s confidence and skills (CORRECT)
- Broadens the designer’s perspective (CORRECT)
Regular design feedback offers numerous advantages, primarily enhancing the quality of designs. Colleagues or reviewers can present insights or suggestions that a designer might not have previously considered.
Consistent feedback can also help designers cultivate confidence by allowing them to recognize the progress and improvements they have made over time.
Ideally, designers collaborate with a diverse group of individuals from various backgrounds and areas of expertise. This diversity broadens a designer’s perspective and enables them to identify new opportunities for enhancing their designs.
26. Angel gave Mohammed feedback on their designs last week, but would like to get additional information to revise the designs. The comments only identify suggestions such as: “The shapes aren’t right” and “The colors are too vibrant.” What should Angel do to provide more effective feedback?
- Simplify the feedback so it is easier to understand
- Describe problems with the design, not offer solutions
- Adjust feedback for each situation
- Support the feedback with a reason (CORRECT)
Correct: Angel suggested problems with the design, but didn’t provide any supporting reasons. In order for Mohammed to consider and effectively implement Angel’s feedback, Angel should be able to back it up with reasonable explanations.
27. When giving feedback, which of the following is a best practice?
- Deliver your feedback to an entry level team member in the same way you would to a senior employee
- Provide the solution you think should be applied
- Keep your feedback broad
- Support your feedback with reasoning (CORRECT)
Correct: You should always be ready to explain the why behind your feedback.
28. Imagine a designer receives and synthesizes feedback from a design critique session for a personal care service app. Which response is most effective for the designer to take action to improve the design?
- “You should change the main color to purple.”
- “You should consider adding a retail section.”
- “Why is there a spa option?”
- “The booking page should show a summary of services booked and appointment times so the user can have a confirmation that services have been booked.” (CORRECT)
Correct: It is recommended that the designer addresses this concern, as it significantly influences the overall user experience.
29. Jocelyn has just finished going over her notes from a design critique. One of the pieces of feedback was that the information architecture (IA) on the homepage is a little confusing. What are some possible actions Jocelyn should take? Select all that apply.
- Scrap the entire homepage design and start over from scratch.
- Iterate on the homepage design. (CORRECT)
- Follow-up with the reviewer on what specific elements of the IA were problematic. (CORRECT)
- Mark the feedback as not doable and move on to something else.
Correct: Action items will look different for each piece of feedback, so it’s good to take the time to decide next steps carefully.
Correct: If you need more details on the problem, asking the original reviewer to elaborate is always an option.
30. The newest designer on a team has some feedback on a colleague’s designs. What is their best course of action?
- Assume that the issues will be addressed eventually by a more senior member of the team.
- Wait until there’s a company-wide meeting and make sure to bring it up then.
- Write an anonymous note about the problems, so their colleague doesn’t get offended.
- Prepare their feedback with clear reasoning and find an appropriate time to share their thoughts. (CORRECT)
Correct: It’s always a good idea to offer clear reasoning, and make enough time to deliver feedback in an appropriate and helpful way.
31. In order to make sure a design critique session runs smoothly, a facilitator should take care of what responsibilities? Select all that apply.
- Get all of the designs from the team beforehand so they will be the only one who needs to present.
- Make sure each reviewer gets a turn to share their feedback. (CORRECT)
- Focus on taking notes about the designs and feedback.
- Provide an overview of the design critique session and define the objectives. (CORRECT)
One of the facilitator’s key responsibilities is ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard.
A facilitator helps keep the entire team focused on their objectives.
32. If you are presenting in a design critique session, what are some of your responsibilities? Select all that apply.
- Be ready to take action on the feedback after the session (CORRECT)
- Listen carefully to the feedback from your reviewers (CORRECT)
- Prepare a brief presentation (CORRECT)
- Make sure to defend your design choices against any critiques
As a presenter, you will receive feedback that can help you decide what actions to take to move the designs forward.
A presenter should practice active listening to get the most out of the feedback.
A presenter should prepare a presentation of their designs, ensuring the reviewers have enough information to provide meaningful feedback.
33. Leo provided feedback on Cain’s design, offering tips on how to change the color palette. Cain didn’t appreciate the comments, especially since that was not the part of the design requested for a critique. How can Leo modify this approach to provide better feedback?
- Support the feedback with a reason
- Use the approach consistently, since Leo provided a fair critique
- Describe problems with the design, not offer solutions (CORRECT)
- Advise other ways Cain should change his design
Correct: When providing feedback to fellow designers, it’s more effective to describe the problems with the design rather than offer solutions. Consider this: Would you want another designer telling you how to fix things, or would you prefer to receive feedback and come up with your own solutions
34. As a new UX design team member, which example is a best practice for giving feedback for a design?
- Provide feedback based on personal preferences
- Consider the role of the person receiving feedback (CORRECT)
- Check with colleagues on the kinds of feedback they provide
- Offer solutions to design problems
Correct: When giving feedback, designers should adjust it for each situation; consider the person’s role and experience.