My UX Toolkit: Critique

My UX Toolkit  is a series of posts exploring different tools and techniques used in the user experience design and research process, my understanding of them, and when they can be applied. UX is a broad and varied space that can range from quantitative statistical analysis to graphic design, from branding and content strategy to storyboarding. Here I am trying to scratch the surface of how UXers UX, share my knowledge and further my own understanding of this vast career field. 

Critique: Giving and receiving feedback constructively

Being able to give and receive constructive criticism is not a skill that is unique to the UX career field, and maybe not the most obvious entry for MyUX Toolkit. But this week I wanted to include these two incredibly important communication tools. They are certainly critical skills to master in many professions and they take time and experience to hone. For this blog I am focusing specifically on instances of giving and receiving feedback on UX decisions and designs. 

As a UX designer, you will almost never be working in a vacuum. In many projects you will find yourself  collaborating with a cross functional team that could include other designers, researchers, developers, clients and stakeholders. Even if you are designing and launching a product solo, it is likely that eventually you will seek out the opinions of others whether it be a peer in your field, or even simply through the feedback you receive when usability testing.

The two related but different tools, giving feedback and receiving feedback, are soft skills that are an important part of communication in design. It should be something that is constantly practiced, whether hoping on a quick zoom call to bounce ideas off of a work colleague or formally presenting the most current version of a project to all the major stakeholders. 

Giving

While giving constructive criticism may seem as easy as sharing your opinion, when done well I consider it to be an art form of communication. Especially in design, our ideas and creations can feel very personal to us. It is not always easy to share when you disagree with work someone else has labored over, and it is not always well received. However, if the ultimate goal is to put out the best version of the product you are working on, sharing your opinion is essential.

It is important to start with the basic communication skills to be able to accurately and concisely explain what it is you disagree with, and more importantly why. It is important to always include your reasoning and ideas of what can be done differently with your criticism.

For example, say you are designing a mobile app and a fellow designer created an informational page with paragraphs of text in 8 pt font. You can explain that you believe the font to be too small, because it may be hard on the eyes of users. You can then suggest that the information be edited into shorter paragraphs and the font size increased to 16 pt. 

Another technique to balance out giving negative feedback is called the sandwich technique, where you start with what you like, sandwich the “negative” feedback or areas of improvement in the middle, and end on a positive note. For example, after a designer has given a presentation demonstrating a project they have been working on for months you can start with what you liked about the design, suggest the changes you think would be an improvement and then finish with a compliment on their presentation skills. 

Overall when giving critical feedback it is best to be specific, concise and realistic. Don’t offer feedback that isn’t actionable, and be careful with timing to offer suggestions when they will still be realistic to implement.  

Receiving 

Being on the receiving end of constructive criticism is also a crucial skill to master. For some it is hard to not take this type of feedback personally. For others, when ego is involved, it can be hard to accept differing opinions on design. 

It is important to go into a given critique situation with an open mindset, ready to accept changes if they will result in a better product. It is also crucial as you receive feedback to listen for understanding, and not wait for your turn to defend your position. Ask clarifying follow up questions to ensure you truly understand the changes being suggested and the reasoning behind it. 

In some instances you will now have the power to decide whether to change your design based on the feedback given. If you are unsure you can ask for a second opinion. Whatever your decision, the reasoning should be communicated graciously and clearly.

In other instances you will not have decision power over the final design. For example, if you are a junior designer and your project manager is insisting on making changes. In this instance I still believe it is valuable for you to understand the reasoning behind their decision, and take that into account when producing future work.

In UX design, decisions are made based on user behavior, research, feedback and industry standards. Most work is done by cross functional teams, and communicating decisions and the reasoning behind them is one of the biggest requirements to be successful. The ability to give and take critique is one of the cornerstones of that communication and will help to foster a cohesive productive work environment.