Discussing Design: Improving Communication and Collaboration through Critique

Real critique has become a lost skill among collaborative teams today. Critique is intended to help teams strengthen their designs, products, and services, rather than be used to assert authority or push agendas under the guise of “feedback.” In this practical guide, authors Adam Connor and Aaron Irizarry teach you techniques, tools, and a framework for helping members of your design team give and receive critique.

Using firsthand stories and lessons from prominent figures in the design community, this book examines the good, the bad, and the ugly of feedback. You’ll come away with tips, actionable insights, activities, and a cheat sheet for practicing critique as a part of your collaborative process.

This book covers:

• Best practices (and anti-patterns) for giving and receiving critique
• Cultural aspects that influence your ability to critique constructively
• When, how much, and how often to use critique in the creative process
• Facilitation techniques for making critiques timely and more effective
• Strategies for dealing with difficult people and challenging situations

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Understanding Critique
Chapter 2. What Critique Looks Like
Chapter 3. Culture and Critique
Chapter 4. Making Critique a Part of Your Process
Chapter 5. Facilitating Critique
Chapter 6. Critiquing with Difficult People and Challenging Situations
Chapter 7. Summary: Critique Is at the Core of Great Collaboration
Appendix A. The 10 Bad Habits That Hurt Critique
Appendix B. About the Authors
Appendix C. Discussing Design