Every year I begin the first studio critique of the year with a discussion about why we do this in a design studio, and what the value of a critique is. This year I decided to share my notes on the topic.
Why we critique?
- Critiques are about the work, not the person presenting it. Critiques serve the work, with a goal of improvement.
- Critiques are an opportunity to step away from your work, and see it anew. The challenge is to look at your own work from a different perspective, with a slightly detached critical view.
- Critiques are also about identifying strengths in the work, and discussing how to amplify these strong points, not just about identifying errors and how to eliminate them.
- Critiques are both about the work now (improving the work), and for future work. The goal is to develop your ability as a designer to look at your own work with a critical eye in the future, especially for those moments when you are not able to get the feedback you need.
- Ask why is the professor is giving this feedback? Critiques are not always intended for the same purpose. Sometimes they are about immediate feedback on the work as presented. Sometimes critiques are intended as a broader conversation exploring concepts beyond the immediate work itself. Understanding why the feedback is being offered is key to knowing how to respond to the critique.
- There is a collaborative learning aspect to this as well. We want you to learn from each other. If you can at least identify why something your peers presented is good, even if it is beyond your skill level at the moment, gives you a goal for the future.
- Listen and accept the feedback without taking it personally.
- Ask questions.
- Take Notes.
- Challenge the critique when necessary.
- The studio is a relatively safe environment to get feedback on your work. It is better to hear it now, in the context of a studio, as opposed to from a future employer in an interview of from a potential transfer school denying you entry due to a poor portfolio.
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