This past week I underwent my first ever design review. It was painful. I have had friends lament about design critique in fields such as photography, architecture, and art practice. They have shared with me the horrors of the experience, but words never match the feeling of being there, in the hot seat. On Friday I received a critique struck to the core of my design: more attention should have been paid to research, before visual design. Because of the lack of thorough user research, the design lacked an empathy towards the user’s experience. It was stressful, miserable, though not without reward.
What did I learn? Two lessons for surviving the next design critique: be prepared to answer “why is this good?” with research, and ask for reviews early & often.
1) Take the audience through your research.
From the Cooper Journal: “It’s pretty common to hear a skeptical Cooper designer begin a critique with some variant of the question, “Why is that good?” Design is the conclusion to an argument, and like any other arguments it relies on evidence to lead the audience through your reasoning. My critique might not have been so bad had I walked the reviewers through my research, guiding them through the path I had taken to reach my design. Research is the answer to “Why is that good?”
2) Work with the team to ask for critiques that are frequent & honest.
I could be upset by the fact that a lot of effort and struggle went into creating a design that missed the mark, but I’m not. What I am upset by is the fact that I did not seek out this line of communication before. Received early in the design project lifecycle, this type of feedback could have prevented me from missing the mark.
I feel frustrated by my inexperience in design, my ability to fall privy to mistakes & poor choices. I know that studying cognitive psychology doesn’t exactly prepare me for this type of work, or for working within a corporation, and I’m trying to remember that I’m only at intern level. Still, I expect more from myself. But I am not daunted, and intend to improve. Knowing what design review is like & surviving, I know I can handle the truth & that is an empowering thing.
This is a Great Post, Jon! Don’t be so hard on yourself, though. Failure is an *excellent* design tool and one of the best ways to learn. I fail often and enthusiastically, and I’ve been doing UX design for 11 years! The trick, though, is to fail early on in the design process.
You’ve learned the value of constant critique, and early on. That will serve you very well in your career. Add in some iterative prototyping (paper > interactive wireframes > interactive mockups) & user testing and you’ll get real feedback from real users. Each time you fail you will improve your design AND your design skills!
Fred Beecher
9 Sep 09 at 7:53 am
“I know that studying cognitive psychology doesn’t exactly prepare me for this type of work”
It will help you a lot, you’ll see
Regarding failure you might want to listen to this podcast.
Scott Berkun – “Why Designers Fail and What to Do About It”
http://www.uie.com/BSAL/ui13/ui13_berkun.mp3
I’m sure you do and you’ll be doing an amazing job …
All the best,
Sorin
Sorin Stefan
9 Sep 09 at 9:54 am
Hi Jon,
I came across your post from a Twitter post earlier today. I really like the honesty of your post and what you have to say. Plus it was funny.
There are lots and lots of resources out there that you can turn to to learn more about User-Centered Design. You might enjoy a listserv that I manage called anthrodesign (http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/anthrodesign/). The list has about 200 members who talk about our work at the intersection of social sciences and design practices. There are also periodic get-togethers if you want to commiserate (or celebrate!) in person.
Best,
Natalie
Natalie Hanson
9 Sep 09 at 7:07 pm
Way to put yourself out there. If you can learn early in your career not to take criticism personally and to use it to improve the end product, then you’re far, far, far ahead of the game. That’s a lesson I’m still learning. Over and over. BTW, like the new blog format. What are you using? I’m considering a switch.
Kim
11 Sep 09 at 8:49 am
Great post, Jon!
My first design critique went much the same way. 12 years later I configure my reviews to maximize the discovery and exposure of my design’s weaknesses. Without the fail, there is nowhere to go next, nothing to improve. This is how craptastic designs get published – not enough of the right critiques during the design stages; no course correction.
The fact that you so humbly acknowledge the shortcomings of this first critique and react appropriately is a healthy sign. Don’t beat yourself up. When someone calls you on a (truly) bad design move, buy them a beer and go to them with your next design.
Good luck!
Zeiber
11 Sep 09 at 6:41 pm
@Fred: There’s no doubt that understanding human psychology is crucial to becoming a good designer. I totally agree with your article (Nine Essential Characteristics of Good UX Designers http://bit.ly/B6rRa) where you list it as your number one characteristic. However, a psychology education does not prepare you for the reviews designers face. I love my psychology education & exams, but I wish I had experienced more face-to-face criticism.
@Sorin Listening to the mp3 now. Thanks for the link!
@Natalie Thanks for the invitation! Looks like there are just as many uncertain anthropology students as there are psychology students
@Kim I actually like criticism. Except for the type of criticism that comes in the late-stages when I’m powerless to change anything. In a way, it shows that people care about the end-product and your personal development. btw, the theme is called miniBlog
@Zeiber That’s a great attitude. btw I love your page & am eager to see what it looks like when it’s completed!
@All Thank you for your encouraging words! It seems like many designers let their failures die quietly, so its a pleasant surprise to have support for being vocal about it. Your words are helping me take this experience in a positive light. Thank you
In the future, I want to take positive ownership of failure, and be dedicated to the design process, as well as the product. Hopefully I’ll fail less, too
jon
12 Sep 09 at 9:24 am
Hey Jonathan. I didn’t know that yesterday was your last day, and I apologize because I would have come by to say “good luck” or something else equally trite.
So good luck. The first few years out of college were the hardest for me, but I hope your experience is better. I’ve followed you on twitter. Keep in touch.
Zachary Forrest y Salazar
24 Sep 09 at 8:53 am