​​​🎃​ Parsons Week 6 – Interview Critique

​​​❓​How to Critique

​​Inspired from Lauren McCarthy’s presentation at The School for Poetic Computation’s Learning to Teach, Teaching to Learn seminar.
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​​Describe, analyze, interpret, evaluate
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​​Describe

​​Take a look at what you’re looking at. What does it look like, literally? What are you seeing? What stands out to you? What is getting your attention?
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​​Example
​​I’m seeing a lot of pop up windows.
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​​Analyze

​​After describing what you see, take a step back and consider how it’s impacting the design
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​​Example
​​I’m seeing a lot of pop up windows which are making the website feel invasive.
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​​Interpret

​​What do you think the designer’s intentions were with this project? This is a good time to ask questions to get more information.
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​​Example
​​Is this project intended to be disruptive to prove a point?
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​​Evaluate

​​With the information you have, consider if the design is successful. Consider if parts of it are clearer than others. Provide ideas on what might help, or other possible outlets for exploration.
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​​Additionally, this is a good opportunity to be a bit more critical. Is this memorable? Yes? No? Why not?
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​​Example
​​I’m seeing the train of thought of wanting to create a disruptive experience on the website. It feels interesting, but I’m wondering why the pop up windows are stylized in an early 90s web aesthetic? Are these design choices necessary to the experience? How can we try something new?
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​​Welcome to our first critique!

​​You’ll notice that each person has been assigned a first responder (1R), and notetaker (N). The first responder (1R) will kick off our discussion as soon as the presenter has finished sharing their work. The notetaker will listen carefully and document the highlights of the critique on our document.
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​​​👉​Please also submit your project URL on Canvas.
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​​When critiquing, these are the questions we should consider

  1. ​​Is there a clear point of view with this project? What about the content, art direction, writing, or design adds to this impression?
  1. ​​How is this project organized? Does the structure match the designer’s intention?
  1. ​​What is the relationship between the design and the content?
  1. ​​What are the strongest moments of this website?
  1. ​​What parts were weak — what would have helped? 
  1. ​​Any questions left unanswered?
  1. ​​How might the designer continue to evolve this piece?