Streamlining the Process for Receiving Constructive Criticism on Design Endeavors: A 5-Step Guide
In the realm of design, adapting the feedback regime can significantly improve outcomes and make the process less daunting. This transformation involves more than just praise or criticism; it's about fostering a culture of openness where critical points are named, and constructive feedback is sought regularly.
The author advocates for creating safe spaces, such as coaching or supervision sessions, where leaders can receive neutral, sincere insights. By moving feedback beyond mere opinion polls, it becomes valuable information for focused work and better decisions.
It's essential to encourage people to support their opinions with facts, especially if they can demonstrate how it will impact the target audience. For instance, instead of saying "Your UI sucks!", asking questions like "What do you mean by that?" or "What specifically doesn't work for you?" can help clarify the issue at hand.
Cultural differences play a crucial role in design. For example, the same colour might be perceived differently across cultures. Sensitive feedback, tailored to the cultural context, is more effective and less likely to cause offense.
The purpose of feedback is constructive, and understanding why it's given is just as important. Reminding people of the design's purpose can help prevent irrelevant feedback. Using research to back up design decisions can help put any arguments to rest early.
Developing a thicker skin is necessary to handle feedback, but it's also part of one's own development. It's important to remember that most people giving feedback want to help, not hurt.
Turning feedback sessions into valuable conversations can be achieved by focusing feedback givers on the project's objectives. Asking questions like "Why?" during a feedback session can help uncover the underlying issues and lead to a better solution.
For instance, instead of saying "Man that text is awful!", a more constructive approach would be "Hey, I feel that text is hard to read and might deter the audience." This approach encourages a dialogue that focuses on improving the design, rather than criticizing it.
In conclusion, adapting the feedback regime in design is about fostering a culture of openness, encouraging constructive feedback, and using it to identify issues rather than providing solutions. By asking questions and focusing on the project's objectives, we can turn feedback sessions into valuable conversations that lead to better design outcomes.
