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Feedback is a popular topic in design.
Feedback and critiques are an integral part of the design process.
Looking back, I began wondering if there is a structure to facilitate time to be well-spent.
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Constructive feedbackwill clarify how to move the design forward.
This doesnt necessarily mean positive feedback.
Both negative and positive feedback on your design can be constructive.
Destructive feedbackwill cloud how to move the design forward.
Its clear which bang out of feedback will help your design grow.
Here are a number of steps that can help establish the tone and structure to get there.
These are largely based on past experiences and also great practices Ive witnessed from others.
If you have pre-reading, put weight behind it.
Setting context is important when asking for feedback.
Bigger or more diverse the crowd, easier the critique can get out of control.
These can easily turn into destructive feedback.
It can set a baseline context, so everyone starts with a coherent framing from the start.
What to do
In the pre-reading, mark the following.
Point out which aspects you are looking for feedback on.
State non-goals that are out of scope for this design.
For example,Given the priorities for this sprint, optimizing for mobile is a non-goal for this design.
We will start on desktop and design for mobile based on the learnings after.
Indicate how far along the design is, so you’re able to level-set expectations with the audience.
Start the critique once enough people have finished reading.
While openness is good, not all feedback is equal.
For feedback to be relevant and constructive, its also important that they come from the right people.
), think about who has the best data to inform the design.
You may feel the urge to build a consensus by getting everyone involved or to get everyones thumbs-up.
Resist the temptation to over-invite.
Heres a simple way to harness group thinking to set an unbiased way to prioritize discussion topics.
Ive learned this from witnessing others in action, and it has proven to be quite effective.
In either case, its important not to derail nor get defensive.
Harnessing group input should help de-prioritize feedback that is less relevant.
Show that the feedback has been duly noted, not ignored.
Feel free to give it a try.
If you have other ways that have worked well for you, I would love to learn about them.
His passion spans across design, productivity, and future of work.
you’re able to follow him onMediumandTwitter.
His passion spans across design, productivity, and future of work.
(show all)Steve is a product designer, previously at Microsoft, Samsung, and NAVER.
His passion spans across design, productivity, and future of work.
you’re free to follow him on Medium and Twitter.
