Today, I'd like to discuss a technique that helps designers create better ideas, work more quickly, exchange information with coworkers, and strengthen the team. Design Crit sessions are a casual, efficient, and straightforward approach to gathering feedback from your peers.
What Makes Feedback Important
First and foremost, getting feedback makes your designs better. People from various teams might provide distinct perspectives, suggestions, and insight into the strong and weak points of your solution.
Project discussions enhance team collaboration and increase transparency. People will have a greater understanding of what other designers are working on, the difficulties they face, and the reasons behind particular decisions.
Designers from different departments may be able to broaden your perspective and observe how your concept fits with other components of the final result. The product will be more consistent thanks to this input.
A crucial communication skill for designers is the ability to share and receive feedback from stakeholders, clients, and others. It will support your ability to better comprehend your interlocutors, present your viewpoint, and defend your answers.
When It Can Be Most Beneficial
I'd argue there isn't a guideline or standard procedure. Asking for input from your coworkers is acceptable if you believe it would be beneficial.
Speaking with colleagues who worked on this area of the project early on can be beneficial. You may learn about the problem, the functionality that is available, and the restrictions thanks to this feedback. You can also express how you view the issue, as well as your thoughts and suggestions for remedies.
Discussing prototypes later on can help you get input on the visuals and make sure you follow all of the guidelines and design patterns that the design team came to an agreement on.
How To Start A Design Crit Session
The key is to explain the project and its objectives, to offer your vision and solutions, and to specify what aspects of the project designers should remark on.
Begin live sessions by outlining the job and sharing any relevant context or current solutions. Ensure everything is clear and the team doesn’t have any questions. Then you may ask questions and exchange designs.
Live feedback is preferable at the beginning of a project since it allows you and your coworkers to ask several questions that will help everyone comprehend the project more thoroughly.
Collecting Feedback
You should first get input. You may take notes on paper or in Notion, record conversations, or leave comments in Figma—whichever way suits you best.
If you don't understand your colleague's statement, don't be afraid to ask "why." Additional inquiries are acceptable. Let your coworkers clarify their criticism. It may occasionally be more beneficial than the first remark.
Designers frequently find it difficult to concentrate on the topic of a conversation and instead talk about other aspects of the designs or other problems. Keep the team's attention on the subject of your request and try to avoid doing this.
Be grateful for the criticism, but avoid taking it personally. Colleagues talk about the designs rather than the creators.
