The ReviewChapter 6.5 in Sketching User Experiences: The Workbook

Image from Parnell, R. Sara, R., with Doidge, C. and Parsons M. The Crit: An Architecture Student’s Handbook. 2nd Edition. Architectural Press. 2007.

Receiving criticism is a fundamental part of learning in the studio. Make sure that your work is reviewed and discussed as often as possible.

Criticism is a fact of professional life… Incorporation of [the critic’s] modification almost always translates to an opportunity to make the work even more potent.”

Pressman, A. Architecture 101. A guide to the Design Studio.

Wiley Press. (page 3, condensed)

Modified from How to run a design crit, by Scott Berkun

Presenting ideas for critique

Sketches are an invaluable conversational prop• present your sketches so people – your critics – can

understand the key points behind your work

• critics verbally review your work o summarize your ideas so you can correct misconceptionso its strengths, weaknesseso what could be improved by offering solutionso challenging you to think differently

• gather feedback (record them in sketchbook)

• reflect on criticism and re-evaluate your ideas (the design funnel)

The Elevator Pitch

Take every opportunity to tell others about your idea• A 30 second to 2 minute summary, anywhere, anytime

The ChallengeKnow your message

I can’t overemphasize the importance of being clear in your own mind of what you want the audience to get from your presentation. Only then can you really concentrate on doing a good job of getting it across. –Bruce Macdonald

The Elevator Pitch

Structure• who you are and your role.• the problem you are working on • the motivation behind it.• your design idea, e.g., a storyboard in the sketchbook can

rapidly illustrate this• invitations for feedback

The Desktop Review

Situation• you work in a public environment (e.g. a studio)• surrounded by colleagues and mentors

Methods• present and invite critique of on-going work from your desk• physical sketches / sketchboards around desk as teasers• digital sketches /videos displayed on computer screen • a feedback pad so you can always capture comments

The Meeting

Situation• arrange meetings with colleagues, mentors, users, etc. • you are explicitly seeking feedback at opportune times

Training your audience and yourself• stress you will get more value if they

o state strengths but also expose weak ideaso state what could be improvedo state how to improve it (design alternatives)

• take turns (round robin, several rounds)o 1st person: what they likeo 2nd person: what could be improved.

• listen o don’t defend / discuss your work as people provide feedback

• open up a discussion around their key pointso get them to clarify issues and to discuss solutions

The Formal Review (Design Crit)

The Issue• as a design funnel unfolds, teams need a way to formally

understand, explore and evaluate the current design direction and alternate solutions

The Challenge• create the openness needed for good ideas to surface• cultivate feedback & criticism necessary to resolve open

issues• evaluate, change and/or extend existing ideas

Modified from How to run a design crit, by Scott Berkun

Its not about you

Its about your idea

The Formal Review (Design Crit)

Goals• decide on focus, e.g.,

o overall concepto idea evolutiono innovative aspectso higher level user, customer and business goals o usefulness and usability,o cost, engineering constraints (later on)o red light/green light

Modified from How to run a design crit, by Scott Berkun

The Formal Review (Design Crit)

Constraints • limited time• mixed audience (peers, senior people, lay people, outsiders)• small audience (informal atmosphere)• equipment setup

The Formal Review (Design Crit)

What you do• be prepared (practice!)• present your work• visually and verbally explain your work• demonstrate your work• illustrate the flow (maybe a step by step walkthrough)• listen to responses• learn from responses• note down responses / ideas (sketchbook)• don’t defend

The Formal Review (Design Crit)

What the audience does• listen• question• probe• critique

o positive feedbacko constructive feedback o improvementso design variationso design suggestionso compare (with competing designs)

• challenge the design, o provoke new ways of thinking about it

• different perspectives o different stakeholders give different feedback)

Game rules

Respectful• all listen• all contribute• all engage• all discuss

Game rules

General rules of order• start with clarifying questions

o assumptions, goals, expected experiences, operation…• listen before speaking

o understand, reflect, then voice an opinion…• explore alternatives

o questions that surface other possible design choiceso postpone judgments unless there are obvious gaps

• point out problemso given what you know of customers, scenario of use, etc.o provide solutions if possible

• avoid absoluteso make points that refer back to the design goal

Modified from How to run a design crit, by Scott Berkun

You now know

• elevator pitch: for gathering quick reactions to your ideas at any moment

• desktop review: for garnering feedback from the people around you (e.g., colleagues and mentors)

• the meeting an event planned by you whenever you need feedback, where you can choose who attends

• the review, or crit are periodically scheduled sessions where you formally present and gather feedback from decision makers, senior designers, managers, clients, and peers

Sources

1. How to run a design crit. Scott Berkun. www.scottbercun.com/essays/23-how-to-run-a-design-critique/

2. The Crit. An architectural student’s handbook. 2nd edition. Parnell, R. and Sara, R., with Doidge, C. and Parsons, M. (2007) Architectural Press.

3. Architecture 101. A Guide to the Design Studio. Pressman, A. 1993. Wiley Press.

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