Critiques: Putting The Constructive In Criticism - RD275

<h2>Do you know how to give a good critique?</h2> <p>One of my professors made us critique our classmates’ projects at the end of every college assignment. Once we completed a design project, he would place everyone’s design at the front of the class, and one by one, he would select students and ask them to critique one of the projects.</p> <p class="p1">The reason he did this was twofold. He wanted us to develop an eye towards examining other designs to both learn from them, which makes us better designers and seek aspects of the designs we would have done differently.</p> <p class="p1">The other reason he held these critiques was to thicken our skin. As designers, we have to learn to take criticism of the works we create. If you are easily offended or don’t take well to people critically evaluating your creations this way, then maybe being a designer is not for you. Besides, what better way to learn than by hearing our fellow students dissect our works.</p> <p class="p1">I can tell you that I learned a lot from hearing my classmates tear apart my work. But this exercise we conducted at the end of each project had another effect. You see, the professor wasn’t only evaluating our design work. He was also evaluating our critiques. He would point out when our comments were not helpful or ask us to expand on our observations to convey better what we were saying.</p> <p class="p1">Even though every student dreaded these critiquing sessions, looking back, I’m grateful for them. It made me look at design through a different lens. It taught me the difference between giving a critique and offering constructive criticism. And that’s what I want to discuss with you today.</p> <p class="p1">As you may be aware, there’s a <a href= "https://resourcefuldesigner.com/group" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">Resourceful Designer Facebook group</a>. In this group, or any other design group for that matter, including the <a href="https://resourcefuldesigner.com/community">Resourceful Designer Community</a>. Designers often post their