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Design Critique Template

Design Thinking 60 min Weekly A facilitator, the presenting designer, and 3-8 reviewers

A design critique is a focused session where a team reviews work in progress against its goal and gives the designer feedback they can actually use. This design critique template provides ground rules, a feedback framework, and a timeboxed flow so the conversation improves the work instead of bruising the maker.

When to use it

Run a critique while the work is still changeable, not after it ships. It fits weekly design reviews, milestone check-ins, and any moment a designer wants more eyes before committing. Keep it separate from approval meetings. A critique is about making the work better, not deciding whether it passes.

Who attends

Invite a facilitator to hold the structure, the designer presenting, and three to eight reviewers who understand the problem. Mix disciplines for range, but keep the group small enough that everyone speaks. A critique with twenty silent observers is a presentation, not a critique.

How to run it

The facilitator frames the rules, then the designer sets context and names the feedback they need. Give reviewers a few silent minutes to form opinions so the loudest voice does not anchor everyone. Go round by round, anchoring every comment to the goal, naming strengths first, and raising concerns as questions. The designer reflects back what they heard, and you close by capturing concrete action items with owners.

Facilitator tips

  • Make the designer state what feedback they want; unsolicited redesigns help no one.
  • Anchor every comment to the goal, not personal taste.
  • Use silent review first so opinions are independent.
  • Phrase concerns as questions: "what happens if a new user lands here?"
  • Protect the designer from a pile-on; route through the facilitator.

Common mistakes

  • Critiquing the person instead of the work.
  • Giving solutions before understanding the constraints.
  • Letting the highest-paid opinion override the stated goal.
  • Confusing critique with approval and blocking progress.
  • Ending with vague vibes and no captured action items.

Keep your critiques structured and your action items tracked. Run it in OrgTP.

Agenda

60 minutes total · 6 sections

  1. Frame the critique 5 min
    Facilitator restates the ground rules: critique the work, not the person, and aim feedback at the stated goal. Confirm the round is feedback, not a decision meeting.
  2. Designer sets context 10 min
    The presenting designer states the problem, the audience, the constraints, and exactly what kind of feedback they need right now.
  3. Silent review 5 min
    Reviewers study the work quietly and jot individual notes before anyone speaks, so first opinions do not anchor the room.
  4. Structured feedback rounds 25 min
    Go reviewer by reviewer. Each frames feedback against the goal, names what works and why, then raises concerns as questions rather than commands.
  5. Designer responds 10 min
    The designer reflects back what they heard, asks clarifying questions, and notes which threads they will pursue. No obligation to agree on the spot.
  6. Capture and assign 5 min
    Record the agreed action items, owners, and open questions so the critique turns into changes rather than vibes.

Run this meeting live in OrgTP

Stop copying agendas into a doc every week. OrgTP runs your meetings live — scorecard, rocks, issues, and to-dos all in one place, with your AI agents in the room.