# Design Critique Exercises

## Exercise 1: Convert Criticism to Critique

**Task:** Take these criticism statements and rewrite them as critique. Make them specific, principle-based, and include at least one alternative.

- "I don't like the layout."
- "The colors are wrong."
- "This is confusing."

**Validation:**
- [ ] Each rewrite references a principle (e.g., usability, accessibility, hierarchy)
- [ ] Each rewrite is specific about what feels wrong and why
- [ ] Each rewrite suggests at least one alternative direction

**Hints:**
1. "Layout" → Which element? Alignment? Hierarchy? White space?
2. "Colors" → Contrast? Brand? Accessibility?
3. "Confusing" → Which step? What's the user trying to do?

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## Exercise 2: Facilitate a CRP Session

**Task:** Facilitate a 15-minute Critical Response Process session with 2–3 colleagues. Use a real design artifact (screen, flow, or component). Document the output.

**Validation:**
- [ ] All four CRP steps were completed in order
- [ ] "Statements of meaning" contained no opinions or suggestions
- [ ] "Permissioned opinions" were only given after explicit permission
- [ ] At least 2–3 actionable next steps were documented

**Hints:**
1. Print or share the CRP steps so everyone can see them
2. If someone gives an opinion early, gently redirect: "Let's save opinions for step 4"
3. Capture notes in a shared doc for the designer

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## Exercise 3: Spot the Anti-Patterns

**Task:** Read this feedback transcript and identify at least three anti-patterns (subjective opinion without reasoning, design by committee, missing context, HiPPO, etc.). Rewrite one piece of feedback to be constructive.

**Sample transcript:**
> "I think we should make the button bigger." / "Actually, I liked the smaller one." / "The CEO said she wants it blue." / "Let's just try both and see."

**Validation:**
- [ ] At least three anti-patterns identified with labels
- [ ] One piece of feedback rewritten to reference principles and suggest alternatives
- [ ] The rewrite would help the designer take action

**Hints:**
1. "I think" + no reasoning = subjective opinion
2. "The CEO said" without evidence = HiPPO
3. "Try both" without criteria = design by committee

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## Exercise 4: Give Principle-Based Feedback

**Task:** Choose a design (from a portfolio, Dribbble, or a real project). Write three pieces of feedback that each reference a specific principle: one usability heuristic (Nielsen), one accessibility guideline (WCAG), and one visual design principle (e.g., hierarchy, contrast).

**Validation:**
- [ ] Each feedback cites a named principle or guideline
- [ ] Each feedback is specific to an element or pattern in the design
- [ ] Each feedback suggests what would improve compliance or effectiveness

**Hints:**
1. Nielsen's heuristics: visibility, match real world, user control, consistency, error prevention, recognition over recall, flexibility, aesthetic design, error recovery, help
2. WCAG: contrast ratios, focus order, alt text, keyboard access
3. Visual: F-pattern, hierarchy, proximity, alignment