# Design Critique Walkthrough — Learn by Doing

## Before We Begin

Critique is not criticism: criticism judges without direction; critique analyzes against principles and suggests alternatives. The goal is to improve the work while respecting the designer.

**Diagnostic question:** When someone has given you feedback on a design (or any creative work), what made it feel constructive? What made it feel dismissive or vague?

**Checkpoint:** You can distinguish one characteristic of critique (specific, principle-based, suggests alternatives) from criticism (vague, opinion-only).

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## Step 1: Distinguish Critique from Criticism

Before giving feedback, you need to recognize the difference.

<!-- hint:buttons type="single" prompt="Which feedback type is more useful?" options="Vague opinion,Specific with alternatives" -->

**Task:** Look at a design artifact (wireframe, mockup, or flow). Write two pieces of feedback: one that is criticism (vague, opinion-based) and one that is critique (specific, principle-based, with alternatives).

**Question:** What makes your "critique" version more useful than the "criticism" version? How would the designer know what to change?

**Checkpoint:** The user can articulate that critique includes specificity, references to principles, and suggests alternatives—while criticism is opinion without direction.

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## Step 2: Apply I Like / I Wish / What If

<!-- hint:card type="concept" title="I Like / I Wish / What If: affirm, improve, imagine" -->
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**Task:** Run a mini critique on a design (yours or a peer's) using only the I Like / I Wish / What If framework. Write at least one response in each category.

**Question:** Did "I wish" force you to be more constructive than a raw complaint? Why does "What if" open possibilities instead of shutting them down?

**Checkpoint:** The user produces feedback in all three categories and can explain how the framework shapes their language.

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## Step 3: Practice Liz Lerman's Critical Response Process

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**Task:** Run a 10-minute critique session using CRP. Choose one person as the "artist" (designer) and one as facilitator. Go through: (1) Statements of meaning, (2) Artist as questioner, (3) Neutral questions, (4) Permissioned opinions.

**Question:** What was different about giving feedback only after "permission" was granted? Did it change how you phrased your opinions?

**Checkpoint:** The user completes all four steps and notices that permission creates psychological safety and more thoughtful suggestions.

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## Step 4: Run a Design Critique on a Wireframe

**Task:** Conduct a 15-minute design critique on a real wireframe or prototype. Set the goal and constraints upfront. Use either I Like/I Wish/What If or CRP. Document at least three actionable next steps.

**Question:** At the end, can you list what specifically will change? If not, what was missing from the feedback?

**Checkpoint:** The session produces documented action items that are specific enough to implement.

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## Step 5: Receive Feedback Without Defending

**Task:** Present your own design work to a partner and receive feedback. Your job: listen, take notes, ask clarifying questions. Do not defend or explain during the feedback phase.

**Question:** How did it feel to only listen? What would have happened if you had defended each point as it came up?

**Checkpoint:** The user completes the exercise without defending and can reflect on how listening changes the quality of feedback received.