Week 4 – Participating in design critique sessions

1. Fill in the blank: A critique session is a common feedback activity where designers present their work to team members. Participants can play one of three main roles: _______, presenter, or reviewer.

Answers

·        trainer

·        facilitator

·        creator

·        designer

Explanation: During a feedback session, the three primary roles that participants might take on are those of observer, presenter, or reviewer. Participants in a critique session have the option of taking on these roles in order to provide helpful comments and suggestions on the design work that is being presented by their peers. As the observer, your job is to watch and listen to the presentation that is being given, during which the presenter will be showcasing their work and the reviewer will be providing criticism and insights.

2. What are the benefits of hosting a design critique session? Select all that apply.

Answers

·        They provide an opportunity to understand why one team member’s design style is better than another’s.

·        They can help new designers identify different perspectives to consider design problems from.

·        They are an opportunity for people to come together to exchange ideas and make a collective choice on a design direction, in person or remotely.

·        They are a great opportunity for a new designer to practice giving feedback to other team members.

3. Florence is preparing for the first design critique session for a new product with a few team members. Identify the questions that could help them prepare for questions during the presentation.

Answers

·        Are you a good designer?

·        What’s the best approach in taking advantage of the end user you’re trying to reach?

·        What problem are you trying to solve?

·        What aspects of your designs are you seeking feedback on?

Test your knowledge on implementing feedback from crit sessions

4. Why is it important to have design critique (crit) sessions?

Answers

·        So team members can critique the presenter’s performance and offer feedback

·        So team members can define design objectives for the product

·        So team members can come together to exchange ideas and make a collective choice on a design direction

·        So team members can assign tasks for upcoming project phases

Explanation: Designers have the chance to participate in critique sessions, which allow them to obtain constructive comments on their work. This input assists in identifying strengths and shortcomings in the design, which leads to ongoing improvements.

Participants in a team may share their thoughts during a critique session by drawing on their unique experiences, expertise, and points of view. This variety contributes to the enhancement of the review process by providing a more holistic perspective on the design.

5. What is the presenter’s role in a design critique session? Select all that apply.

Answers

·        To share their designs with the group

·        To prepare for the presentation ahead of the session

·        To challenge the reviewers’ feedback

·        To process and take action on the reviewers’ feedback

6. You just completed your first design critique session. You review the notes and reflect on the feedback you received. What questions should you consider before you take any further action? Select all that apply.

Answers

·        How can I synthesize the feedback from the critique session?

·        How can I incorporate all the reviewers’ feedback in my actions?

·        What feedback do I want to take action on to improve my designs or the user experience?

·        Where should I focus my attention during the next phase?

7. When addressing feedback from a design critique session, what kinds of requests should a designer take action on? Select all that apply.

Answers

·        Feedback on the design’s functionality

·        Feedback related to the design’s accessibility

·        Feedback on design style choices based on the reviewers’ preferences

·        Feedback on any design element’s inconsistencies

Weekly challenge 4: Participate in design critique sessions

8. Receiving feedback from a diverse audience is one of the goals of soliciting feedback.

Answers

·        True

·        False

Explanation: Without a doubt! During the design process, one of the most important goals is to collect input from a wide variety of people. Reviewers from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences offer a variety of insights, experiences, and areas of expertise to the table. This variety helps to improve the overall quality of the input and adds to an assessment of the design that is more complete.

9. When giving feedback, it’s important to provide a reason for the feedback and describe problems rather than provide solutions. Which of the following is another helpful tip when giving feedback?

Answers

·        Suggest more research to gather more data

·        Adjust the feedback for each situation

·        Limit the feedback to address only major issues

·        Support the feedback with intuitions and feelings

Explanation: One further piece of advice that might be beneficial when providing feedback is to be clear and actionable. Provide specific instances, rather than making remarks that are nebulous or broad, and recommend actionable activities that may be taken to improve. This level of precision assists the designer in understanding the particular problems, and it also provides them with clear direction for how to respond to the input. A design iteration process that is more effective and efficient may be facilitated by feedback that is specific and actionable. This input is more useful.

10. What are the advantages of hosting a design critique session? Select all that apply.

Answers

·        Design critique session increase team camaraderie

·        Design critique sessions are a great opportunity for designers to practice giving feedback to other team members

·        Design critique sessions decrease tension between colleagues

·        Design critique session are a chance for many people to come together to exchange ideas and make a collective choice on a design direction, in person or remotely

11. After a design critique session, a designer begins integrating feedback into their design. First, the designer implements the most important feedback from the session. Some of the feedback will require input from a specialist. The designer chose not to implement feedback that didn’t align with the design plans. Finally, the designer began implementing the feedback into the design. Which action did the designer forget?

Answers

·        Identify options for new designs

·        Create a spreadsheet that identifies high-priority issues with the design

·        Review and synthesize feedback

·        Consult colleagues on design choices

Explanation: The designer neglected to specify the activity of communicating with the team or the stakeholders about the choices that were taken following the input. Keeping everyone involved informed about which feedback is being adopted, the reasons why particular choices were taken, and any potential issues or dependencies that may occur is vital, especially when specialized input is required. Throughout the process of implementation, having clear communication not only helps to manage expectations but also ensures that there is transparency and alignment within the team.

12. When giving feedback, why is it best to describe problems rather than provide solutions?

Answers

·        It lets a designer broaden their perspective on a project.

·        It gives the designer time to process the feedback and come up with their own solution.

·        It leads to fewer revisions and can save money over the course of a project.

·        It is faster and more efficient to explore problems rather than solutions.

Explanation: When offering solutions, the designer is able to take into account limits such as time, money, or technological restrictions if the issue has been well described. It encourages realistic approaches to problem-solving that are in line with the practical issues of the project.

In a nutshell, when it comes to problem-solving, it is better to describe the issues at hand rather than provide answers. This shows respect for the designer's knowledge, develops a more critical and creative approach, and encourages cooperation. Within the framework of the design process, it makes a contribution to the formation of a constructive and positive feedback loop.

13. After a designer has presented their designs in a design critique, what are the next steps?

Answers

·        Meet with each reviewer again to confirm their feedback.

·        Scrap the designs and start from scratch with the feedback in mind.

·        Process the feedback from reviewers and start generating action items.

·        Move on to a new project.

14. In a design critique session of Arnaud’s design, a reviewer who experiences color-blindness reported that it was difficult to see the button copy. What would be a good course of action for Arnaud to address this feedback?

Answers

·        Go back to the reviewer to test different designs by trial and error on the spot.

·        Stick with the original button design because the colors came from the design system.

·        Change the background color of that individual button.

·        Find a color and text combination that passes accessibility standards and apply the changes wherever needed.

15. Fill in the blank: As a new UX design team member, it’s a good idea to consider _____.

Answers

·        providing solutions rather than identifying problems

·        holding off on any feedback until it’s been approved by a superior

·        adjusting the feedback depending on the role of the person receiving feedback

·        offering feedback based on personal preferences

Explanation: As a new member of the user experience design team, it is important to consider empathy and an approach that is user-centered. To create designs that are not just visually beautiful but also intuitive and successful, it is essential to have a solid foundational understanding of the requirements, preferences, and previous experiences of the consumers. You may make a significant contribution to the creation of goods that authentically cater to the requirements of the target market if you put an emphasis on empathy and design concepts that are user-centered.

16. A UX designer is preparing to get feedback about a mobile app they are almost finished designing. They are comfortable with the team and looking forward to presenting their work. Which of the following is a helpful question for the design to consider about the feedback process?

Answers

·        Am I sure that it’s worthwhile to ask for feedback at this stage?

·        Am I being too sensitive about the feedback that I’m receiving?

·        Am I checking in regularly with other team members to get feedback on my designs?

·        Am I ready to receive feedback from people who don’t know the project?

Explanation: This question highlights how important it is for designers to get feedback that is not only helpful but also gives precise insights that might direct them in making substantial changes to the design. It creates the expectation for feedback that can be acted upon, which in turn fosters a feedback session that is more effective and focused.

17. A design team plans a critique session for their latest prototype. They ask one of the members to be prepared to share the design and remain actively engaged in the session to ensure that the feedback is clearly understood. What role is this an example of?

Answers

·        Notetaker

·        Reviewer

·        Facilitator

·        Presenter

Explanation: The "Presenter" is the person of the team who is ready to talk about the design and take part in the feedback session. In this situation, the "Presenter" takes on the duty of leading the discussion. The Presenter is accountable for exhibiting the design, providing an explanation of design choices, and guiding the critique session by actively engaging in conversations and responding to questions posed by the team. The Presenter is responsible for ensuring that the design is properly conveyed to the rest of the team and that feedback is understood in order to facilitate fruitful collaboration among team members.

Shuffle Q/A 1

18. Why is feedback so important in the design process? Select all that apply.

Answers

·        To examine if designers are touching base with users often enough

·        To identify a designer’s comfort level

·        To identify personal values and biases that can influence a design

·        To help designers come up with new questions or ideas

19. A team member provides tailored feedback to a designer and tells them that the colors in the design aren’t good. The team member moves on quickly to another task without saying anything else. How can this team member provide better feedback in the future?

Answers

·        Support the feedback with a reason

·        Describe problems with the design, not offer solutions

·        Adjust feedback for each situation

·        Simplify the feedback so it is easier to understand

20. What is a design critique session?

Answers

·        A competition between UX designers for the creation of the final design

·        A planned period of time where UX designers present their work to team members and listen to feedback

·        An opportunity for design practice with the design team and the project stakeholders

·        A week or more to answer critical business questions on the design project

Explanation: A design critique session is an organized and collaborative review process in which a design, whether it's a prototype, interface, or other visual elements, is presented and evaluated by a group of persons, who are typically members of a design team. This may be done in a variety of settings, including in-person meetings, online forums, and video conferences. The fundamental objective of a design critique is to collect useful input that can be used to guide and enhance the design in some way.

21. When giving feedback, which of the following is a best practice?

Answers

·        Support your feedback with reasoning

·        Keep your feedback broad

·        Deliver your feedback to an entry level team member in the same way you would to a senior employee

·        Provide the solution you think should be applied

Explanation: When providing feedback, one of the best practices is to be as actionable and clear as possible. Rather of making comments that are nebulous or generic in nature, you should concentrate on identifying particular parts of the design that may be improved and provide recommendations for how those changes might be implemented. This technique not only helps the person receiving the feedback realize precisely what areas want attention, but it also gives clear recommendations on how to solve the problems that have been raised. It is possible to make real modifications to the design by providing feedback that is both specific and actionable, which adds to a feedback process that is both more effective and productive.

22. When synthesizing feedback from a design critique session, what are some things a designer should do?

Answers

·        The designer should let that reviewer know that their suggestion was unnecessary when their feedback is not applied as an action item

·        The designer should start by identifying themes in the feedback from multiple reviewers.

·        The designer should always make the decision alone on whether or not to implement a piece of feedback.

·        The designer should make sure that every piece of feedback is somehow implemented into the designs.

23. What should a designer consider when reflecting on how much feedback they give and receive at each stage of a project? Select all that apply.

Answers

·        Am I checking with the right superiors before giving my feedback?

·        Am I checking in regularly with other team members to get feedback on my designs?

·        Am I able to comfortably give constructive feedback about another designer’s project?

·        Am I letting people know when I don’t like the feedback they’ve offered?

24. In a design critique session, which member focuses on documenting feedback and the design ideas from that session?

Answers

·        Presenter

·        Facilitator

·        Notetaker

·        Reviewer

Explanation: A "Note-taker" or "Scribe" is a member of a design critique group who concentrates on recording comments and design ideas. This individual is often referred to as the "Note-taker" or "Scribe." This function is very important since it ensures that significant ideas, opinions, and recommendations provided during the critique session are correctly captured for reference and potential future action.

During the course of the session, the Notetaker will generally record the most important topics that were addressed, emphasize particular input on design features, and document any design ideas or solutions that were given. When making iterative improvements, the design team may look back to this documentation as a useful record that helps them trace the progress of the design, prioritize changes, and prioritize adjustments based on input.

The productiveness of the design critique session is ensured by the joint effort of presenting, offering criticism, and recording, and the ideas that are shared contribute to the continued development of the design.

25. Which helpful tips should you consider when giving feedback? Select all that apply.

Answers

·        Limit the feedback to address only major issues

·        Describe problems with the design, not offer solutions

·        Support the feedback with a reason

·        Adjust the feedback for each situation

26. A designer presented a design during a design critique session. The most frequent feedback was that the design needed to consider a more accessible color palette for users with limited vision. What actionable steps can this designer take?

Answers

·        Identify feedback that’s more important and focus on those critiques first

·        Discuss alternatives that work around the feedback rather than addressing it

·        Consider consulting a diversity and accessibility representative at the company

·        Refrain from taking action until there is a better reason for the feedback.

Explanation: Checking the contrast ratio between the text colors and the background colors may be done with the help of online color contrast tools. This helps to ensuring that the color combinations that were selected adhere to accessibility regulations.

When choosing colors, it is important to keep in mind the many distinct kinds of color blindness, such as red-green and blue-yellow. Users with varying degrees of color vision deficits should be able to recognize the colors you choose to utilize.

27. Fill in the blank: When synthesizing feedback from a design critique session, a designer should start by _____.

Answers

·        letting reviewers know that their suggestions have been made into action items

·        ensuring that every piece of feedback is somehow implemented into the designs

·        identifying themes in the feedback

·        making decisions alone on whether or not to implement a piece of feedback

Explanation: It is important for a designer to begin the process of synthesizing input from a design critique session by first analyzing and arranging the feedback that was gathered. This requires reading over the feedback notes very carefully, classifying the remarks, and looking for recurring topics or patterns that come up throughout the critique session. This first stage establishes the groundwork for a more methodical approach to addressing feedback and implementing it into the design of the product.

28. The newest member of a design team emails another designer to review the mockups they drafted. How should the more senior designer reply?

Answers

·        They should forward the email to the Lead UX designer without a reply because they’re short on time.

·        They should recognize what the new team member did well, list a couple of potential issues, and offer to meet in person to discuss them further.

·        In order to spare the new team member’s feelings, ignore any problems, and say that everything looks perfect.

·        They should reply with a list of all the design elements that are wrong and detail exactly how to fix them.

Shuffle Q/A 2

29. How can a designer overcome reservations about giving and receiving feedback?

Answers

·        Follow all feedback or advice

·        Build fewer designs

·        Consider feedback from only senior team members

·        Practice and reflect on feedback over time

Explanation: It is vital to overcome any misgivings about the act of offering and accepting feedback in order to cultivate a good and collaborative atmosphere inside the design process. It is important to place an emphasis on providing critique that is intended to assist improve the design rather of concentrating entirely on issues that may be seen as being unfavorable.

30. Receiving feedback can improve designs and build a designer’s confidence. Which of the following is another benefit of feedback?

Answers

·        Encourages other designers on the team

·        Gives the designer an opportunity to defend themselves

·        Offers new problems that might be solved by the design

·        Broadens the designer’s perspective

Explanation: In addition to enhancing designs and boosting a designer's confidence, feedback also helps to cultivate an environment that values lifelong education and career advancement, which is a significant advantage. Feedback is very helpful in gaining useful insights into areas of growth, fresh views, and chances for furthering one's skill set. Designers may utilize feedback as a guide to improve their abilities, increase their knowledge, and keep themselves current with the latest industry trends by using the feedback. This practice of continuous education adds to the professional development of the designer and helps to guarantee that they continue to be flexible and successful in their work.

31. A design critique session is a chance for team members to exchange ideas and make collective choices about a design. What is another advantage of a design critique session?

Answers

·        Design critique sessions decrease tension between colleagues.

·        Design critique sessions increase team camaraderie.

·        Design critique sessions are a great opportunity for designers to practice giving feedback to other team members.

·        Design critique sessions encourage friendly competition between different designers and teams.

Explanation: The members of the design team are more likely to agree on things after participating in a design critique session, which is another perk of these sessions. When members of a team gather together to talk about a design, they each contribute their own unique views and insights to the table, which ultimately leads to a better grasp of the design objectives and project goals as a whole. This method of collaboration helps align members of the team on the vision for the design, ensuring that everyone is on the same page.

32. Imagine a designer receives and synthesizes feedback from a design critique session for a personal care service app. Which response is most effective for the designer to take action to improve the design?

Answers

·        “The booking page should show a summary of services booked and appointment times so the user can have a confirmation that services have been booked.”

·        “Why is there a spa option?”

·        “You should change the main color to purple.”

·        “You should consider adding a retail section.”

33. Jocelyn has just finished going over her notes from a design critique. One of the pieces of feedback was that the information architecture (IA) on the homepage is a little confusing. What are some possible actions Jocelyn should take? Select all that apply.

Answers

·        Mark the feedback as not doable and move on to something else.

·        Scrap the entire homepage design and start over from scratch.

·        Iterate on the homepage design.

·        Follow-up with the reviewer on what specific elements of the IA were problematic.

34. A UX designer has received feedback about a mobile app they’re designing. Now, they are reflecting on the feedback they received. Which of the following ideas is helpful for the designer to remember about the feedback process?

Answers

·        They should only ask for feedback occasionally.

·        They don’t have to always follow every piece of feedback.

·        They will get to offer their own negative feedback soon enough.

·        They can limit the amount of feedback they request from colleagues.

Explanation: It is important to keep in mind that feedback is a useful tool for progress and not a validation or evaluation of one's own talents. Accept comments as a chance to improve the design as well as the experience it provides to users.This viewpoint encourages the designer to adopt a growth mindset and perceive feedback as a tool to continually iterate and improve their work by suggesting that they view it as a means to do so. It places an emphasis on the notion that the purpose of feedback is not to serve as a measure of an individual's success or failure but rather to improve the overall quality of the design and match it with the demands of the user.

35. Identify advantages of receiving feedback. Select all that apply.

Answers

·        Builds the designer’s confidence and skills

·        Focuses the designer’s perspective on the most important goal

·        Broadens the designer’s perspective

·        Improves designs

36. A team member provided feedback to a designer and suggested a different layout that is more accessible. The team member then created a wireframe with the new layout. How can this team member provide better feedback in the future?

Answers

·        Use the approach consistently, since the team member provided a fair critique

·        Describe problems with the design, not offer solutions

·        Advise other ways the designer should change the design

·        Support the feedback with a reason

37. What is the term for a planned period of time where UX designers present their work to team members and listen to feedback?

Answers

·        Team meeting

·        Inspiration session

·        Design critique session

·        Insight meeting

Explanation: It seems like you are providing either a design review or a design criticism. The process of gaining new perspectives and enhancing the overall quality of the user experience is quite beneficial. Obtaining views from a variety of sources may really help polish things up!

38. What are some advantages of receiving feedback as a UX designer? Select all that apply.

Answers

·        Broadens the designer’s perspective

·        Builds confidence and skills

·        Improves the design

·        Matches the designer’s personal bias

 

Shuffle Q/A 3

39. A designer is reviewing notes from a design critique. One piece of feedback was that the layout of the product page was confusing. What are some possible actions the designer should take? Select all that apply.

Answers

·        Start over with a new product page design

·        Follow-up with the reviewer on what specifically was confusing

·        Iterate on the product page design

·        Save that feedback for later and move on to something else

40. After preparing feedback and making sure the reasoning is clear, what is the next thing a designer should do?

Answers

·        Wait until there’s a team check-in meeting and share it then

·        Find an appropriate time to share their thoughts

·        Send an email about the problems

·        Confirm with a senior member of the team that the feedback is helpful

Explanation: After ensuring that the feedback is accurate and that the logic is well understood, the following stage is to properly transmit this information. Be careful to communicate your ideas in a way that is productive and courteous at all times. The most important thing to keep in mind when providing feedback is to phrase it in a manner that promotes understanding and cooperation rather than defensiveness. This may be accomplished via the use of a written document, a presentation, or even a face-to-face conversation. And remember to have an open mind when it comes to additional debate and improvement; after all, this is all a part of the design process!

41. Fill in the blank: When reflecting on how much feedback to give and receive, it is helpful for designers to understand that _____.

Answers

·        they don’t have to give a lot of feedback

·        they don’t have to always follow all the feedback or advice

·        they don’t need a lot of feedback

·        they don’t have to ask for feedback all the time

Explanation: It is crucial for designers to realize that striking a balance is the key when they are contemplating how much input they should offer and receive. Finding the optimal balance between offering enough information for growth without overburdening or limiting creative expression is the key to success here. It's a delicate dance, but encouragement and constructive criticism go hand in hand.

42. In order to make sure a design critique session runs smoothly, a facilitator should take care of what responsibilities? Select all that apply.

Answers

·        Focus on taking notes about the designs and feedback.

·        Get all of the designs from the team beforehand so they will be the only one who needs to present.

·        Provide an overview of the design critique session and define the objectives.

·        Make sure each reviewer gets a turn to share their feedback.

43. Angel gave Mohammed feedback on their designs last week, but Mohammed would like to get additional information to revise the designs. The comments only identify suggestions such as: “The shapes aren’t right” and “The colors are too vibrant.” What should Angel do to provide more effective feedback?

Answers

·        Simplify the feedback so it is easier to understand

·        Support the feedback with a reason

·        Adjust feedback for each situation

·        Describe problems with the design, not offer solutions

44. Which of the following questions should you ask while going through design critique feedback?

Answers

·        How do I create a new design with this information?

·        What feedback do I want to take action on to improve my designs or the user experience?

·        Am I ready to consider the feedback that’s critiquing my work?

·        Which member’s critique should I value most?

45. When giving feedback, which of the following is a best practice?

Answers

·        Give broad feedback

·        Adjust feedback for each situation

·        Rather than pointing out problems, provide the solution

·        Deliver the same feedback, regardless of seniority level

Explanation: Feedback that is constructive is analogous to a sandwich: it should begin with something nice (the top bread), then give constructive criticism (the contents), and end on another positive note (the bottom bun). By doing so, you maintain equilibrium and are able to assist the individual in feeling encouraged, rather than dejected. What are your thoughts?

46. After a designer has presented their designs in a design critique, what are the next steps?

Answers

·        Process the feedback from reviewers and start generating action items.

·        Scrap the designs and start from scratch with the feedback in mind.

·        Meet with each reviewer again to confirm their feedback.

·        Move on to a new project.

Explanation: The comments from the design review has to be processed before moving forward. The criticisms and ideas that were provided during the critique need to be given significant consideration by the designer. This is an excellent chance to hone and improve upon the designs. Because communication is so important, it's often helpful to have follow-up conversations or get explanations if they're required. In the end, the objective is to make use of the input in order to improve the design and get it closer to the conclusion that is wanted. What are your thoughts on the procedure?

47. Fill in the blank: When prioritizing possible actions from feedback, feedback related to _____ should be addressed first.

Answers

·        the team member’s suggested solutions

·        the design’s function affecting the user’s overall experience

·        the team members’ choice of stylistic options

·        the stakeholders’ expectations for the design

Explanation: When determining the order of feasible actions based on input, it is important to handle feedback first that is connected to fundamental or core components. These are the factors that have a substantial influence on the overall success or functioning of the project. These are the aspects that have a big impact. When the fundamentals are in place, it is much simpler to concentrate on refining and perfecting the specifics of the situation. What are your opinions on giving feedback the priority it deserves?