ZEIT2301- Design Studios and Design Critiques School of Engineering and Information Technology...
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Transcript of ZEIT2301- Design Studios and Design Critiques School of Engineering and Information Technology...
ZEIT2301- Design Studios and Design Critiques
School of Engineering and Information Technology
UNSW@ADFA
Dr Kathryn Merrick
Bldg 16, Rm 212 (Thursdays and Fridays only)
Overview
Introduction to design studios Format Role in Assignment 1
Introduction to design critiques What is a critique? How to give a constructive critique
References:
http://www.scottberkun.com/essays/23-how-to-run-a-design-critique/http://www.uie.com/articles/critique/
Design Studios
Aim to help you develop your collaborative design skills, including how to critique a design
Format: See
http://seit.unsw.adfa.edu.au/coursework/ZEIT2301/Lectures/03_DesignStudio.pdf
What is a Critique?
In the early and middle phases of a project, teams need a way to understand and explore the current direction of the design.
The challenge is to create the openness needed for good ideas to surface, while simultaneously cultivating the feedback and criticism necessary to resolve open issues.
What is a Critique not?
Not brainstorming In brainstorming the goal is to come up with new ideas A critique is focused on evaluating a set of existing
ideas, and possibly identify future directions or changes.
Not heuristic evaluation, cognitive walkthrough, inspection, usability test etc
These tools look at design from the perspective of the user
A critique looks at a design from the perspective and experience of another designer
Different Types of Critiques
Early in the project Emphasise high level user, customer and business goals Minimise focus on specific engineering constraints
Later in the project Increasing pressure to have definite answers to criticisms Scope should decrease (don’t want new ideas now)
Typical Goals of a Critique
Obtain specific feedback on different approaches to one area or feature of a design
Compare how different components of a system are designed (are they consistent)
Explore competing products
Allow team members with different roles to give feedback from their perspective and expertise
Secondary Goals
Provide structure to the creative process
Improve team’s ability to think about and discuss design ideas
Improve team’s problem solving ability
Who Should Attend?
A critique should allow a small number of people to review and discuss ideas quickly and informally
Focus on people who are most likely to Understand the creative process Give useful and meaningful feedback, both positive and
negative
The Venue and Materials
Use a small conference room with lots of whiteboard space
A projector may be useful for presentations or prototype demonstrations
Handouts and sketches may be useful, depending on audience
Hold critiques regularly in the same venue
Elements of an Effective Critique
1. Respectful
2. Dispassionate
3. Lacking authority
4. Justified impressions and concerns
1. Respect
Acknowledge that hard work has been done
Be aware that receiving a critique can be difficult
Be polite and sensitive
Don’t ambush, Give critique when the
designer is ready to receive it
2. Be Dispassionate
A critique should be a learning opportunity to spread expertise, vision and skills
The designer isn’t being judged Their designs are being explored
3. Lacking Authority
A good critique knows that they themselves can’t change the design
They need to inspire the designer to change the design
Comments and questions that trigger the designer to explore their own design will be more effective than orders to change the design in some way
4. Justified Impressions and Concerns
Go beyond a statement of concern Give reasons for concerns Give alternative solutions
Team can then discuss merits of justifications rather than having critique degenerate into a battle of opinions
Giving Effective Criticism
Positive impressions and concerns need to be balanced
Can help to give them in parallel
Avoid hollow statements “I’m loving your work”
Avoid half-compliments “I like this, but…”
Give the designer a chance to explain “Have you considered X?”
Preparing a Critique
What did you enjoy about the design and why?
What concerns me about the design and why?
What does this design remind me of and why?
Deliver at least a positive for every negative Sandwich approach positive-negative-positive
Rank criticisms and bring up the most important points first
Receiving Criticism The designer should
step away from the design (this can be hard!)
The designer isn’t being judged, rather their design is being explored
View a critique as a chance to learn and improve your design skills
Responding to Criticism
Pause
Turn of emotion and turn on brain
Listen carefully
Ask questions
Acknowledge errors (if they exist)
Take corrective action (if necessary)
Acknowledge the other person’s motive in giving criticism Say thank you
Summary
After today’s lecture you should:
Understand the design studio component of this course and its role in Assignment 1
Be able to give an effective criticism of a design
Be able to receive criticism