# Design Critique Quick Reference

## Critique vs Criticism

| Critique | Criticism |
|----------|-----------|
| Specific | Vague |
| Principle-based | Opinion-based |
| Suggests alternatives | Only identifies problems |
| Separates person from work | Feels personal |

## Liz Lerman's Critical Response Process (CRP)

| Step | What Happens |
|------|--------------|
| 1. Statements of meaning | What resonates? (No opinions.) |
| 2. Artist as questioner | Designer asks their own questions |
| 3. Neutral questions | Audience asks curious, non-opinion questions |
| 4. Permissioned opinions | Suggestions only after artist invites them |

## I Like / I Wish / What If

| Phrase | Purpose |
|--------|---------|
| **I like...** | Anchor in strengths |
| **I wish...** | Frame improvement as desire |
| **What if...** | Open-ended alternatives |

## Giving Feedback

| Do | Don't |
|----|-------|
| Be specific | Say "I don't like it" without reasoning |
| Reference principles (WCAG, heuristics) | Give opinions without evidence |
| Suggest alternatives | Only identify problems |
| Separate person from work | Make it personal |

## Receiving Feedback

| Do | Don't |
|----|-------|
| Listen and take notes | Defend during feedback |
| Ask clarifying questions | Accept everything blindly |
| Thank participants | Dismiss or argue |
| Decide later what to act on | Commit to changes in the moment |

## Common Anti-Patterns

| Anti-pattern | Fix |
|--------------|-----|
| Subjective opinion without reasoning | Require principle or evidence |
| Design by committee | Prioritize against goals and users |
| Feedback too late | Critique early and often |
| Missing context | Set goal and constraints upfront |
| HiPPO overrides | Use process; cite evidence |

## Critique Session Checklist

- [ ] Set goal and constraints
- [ ] Choose framework (CRP or I Like/I Wish/What If)
- [ ] Time-box (15–30 min per artifact)
- [ ] Document action items
- [ ] Assign next steps