As a graphic designer, it’s important to be able to critique other designers’ work effectively. This involves being able to identify mistakes and give constructive feedback that will help the designer improve their work. In this guide, we’ll discuss tips for critiquing design work and common mistakes to look out for. We’ll also provide examples of how you can give feedback that will be helpful to the designer.
The graphic design critique: how to evaluate artwork for quality and effectiveness
Designers are often their own worst critics. We can be our own biggest advocates, but we can also be our own harshest critics. It’s easy to get caught up in the details and nitpick every little thing we don’t like about our work. But when it comes to critiquing other designers’ work, it’s important to remember that not everything is black and white. There are a lot of gray areas, and it’s important to see the big picture.
When critiquing another designer’s work, there are a few things that you should keep in mind:
- First and foremost, remember that everyone has different tastes. What you may think is terrible could be someone else’s favorite design. And vice versa. So, before you start critiquing, ensure that you understand the client’s taste and the project’s overall goal.
- Second, don’t be a jerk about it. When critiquing another designer’s work, there is no need to be rude or insulting. Be constructive and helpful, not destructive.
- Finally, remember that we all make mistakes. No one is perfect, and even the best designers make mistakes from time to time. If you see something you think is a mistake, the designer already knows about it and is working on fixing it. So, instead of pointing out the obvious, try to be helpful and offer suggestions on improving the design.
How do you give feedback on visual design?
There’s no one right way to give feedback in visual design, but some general principles can help you give effective feedback that will help your team improve their designs.
- Be specific. When giving feedback, be as specific as possible about what you like or don’t like about a design. Vague comments like “I don’t like this” or “This isn’t working for me” aren’t helpful and can make the designer feel like they’re being attacked.
- Focus on the design, not the designer. It’s important to remember that when you’re giving feedback, you’re critiquing the design, not the designer. Avoid personal comments or criticisms, and focus on what you think would improve the design.
- Be open-minded. It’s important to remember that designers are trying to solve a problem, and there may be multiple ways to do it. Be open to hearing about different solutions, and be willing to consider designs different from what you were expecting.
- Be constructive. Feedback should focus on improving the design, not tearing it down. Instead of simply pointing out what you don’t like, try to offer specific suggestions for how the design could be improved.
- Avoid nitpicking. It’s easy to get caught up in small details that don’t matter, but it’s important to focus on the big picture when giving feedback. If a design is generally strong, don’t let minor details derail the whole process.
Following these general principles can give feedback that will help your team create better designs.
