1. The act of discrimination or the ability to make a clear distinction. You must believe there is a difference between the things being compared and that everything is relative.
2. The act of making a judgement. Criticism is defined as the art, skill or profession of making discriminating judgements and evaluations. An art or skill requires education, training and practice. Learning how takes away the mystery.
3. An evaluation that weighs the positive aspects of a design with the negative. It involves comparison between one thing and next.
4. Based on cooperation among people and respect for other's work. It is important to understand that criticism is based on good will and is not personal.
5. Less subjective and more objective than you might think. Good criticism is not based on opinion or the reviewer's taste. Instead, it is based on theoretical and technical information.
6. An extension of the learning process. It should be constructive/ helpful.

Giving criticism

1. Take an active role. Position yourself to hear, see and speak. Examine the work and listen to what it is the designer is saying. Don¹t talk while others are presenting.
2. While others are presenting, take notes and sketech about their design and ideas.
3. Initiate your critical remarks by beginning with the large conceptual issues first, and ending with the small or detailed problems.
4. Be direct and straight-forward. It is important to be honest.
5. Use descriptive language to state the problem. Don¹t use words like "it doesn¹t look right," or "it looks funny/weird/odd."
6. State the problem. Give a reason why there is a problem. However, you are not obligated to offer a solution. Also, if you can't give a reason for why there is a problem, then it is inappropriate to point out the problem. Don¹t say, "it doesn¹t look right, but I don¹t know why."
7. Don¹t give double or mixed messages . State what is right and what is wrong with a solution as distinctly different points so that positive remarks are sure to be heard.

Receiving Criticism

1. Stay in good physical condition while working on your project by getting enough rest, staying healthy, and eating right. This will generally prepare you for critique of your work. Just prior to the jury, freshen up, look your best (which doesn¹t necessarily mean you have to dress up), eat and drink properly to sustain you for the review. (rely on carbohydrates and protein rather than sugar and caffeine).
2. Feeling anxious before a presentation is normal. Therapists say that that our bodies feel the same psychologically for the emotions of being scared and being excited. Try to separate your feelings. You may be scared because you have not done enough work or are unsure about your solution. However, you may just be excited about sharing your work. If you have taken bigger risks than your peers, you may feel both.
3. Prepare an outline of your presentation. Rehearse the presentation in front of others.
4. Throw your shoulders back, take a deep breath and speak in a strong, clear voice. Do not chew gum, jingle change, giggle or squirm. This less confident behavior causes reviewers to discount your judgement and expertise.
5. Become the authority for your project. Remember that no one knows more about your project than you do. The more you clarify the intentions toward the design, the stronger your cause. Don¹t say "I don¹t know why I did it."
6. Prepare the description of your project to be on the offensive than the defensive. Ask for your feedback about the problem areas or try to engage the reviewer in process. However, never point out the problems before the reviewer has found them.
7. Take responsibility for what you have accomplished or not accomplished. Be willing to accept the consequences for your actions. It is unfair to present an unfinished project. Never make excuses for your work, for stress and complexity are part of everyone's life.
8. Let yourself hear the positive comments and compliments as well as the negative comments. Have a friend take notes on the jurors comments so you can review all of the comments after the critique.
9. Don¹t position yourself to be victimized. Remember that the advice offered is to help you become a better designer. Remarks are not personal. By taking good care of yourself, you will be stronger and less vulnerable when receiving criticism.

When negative criticism is offered

1. Make sure you understand the comment. You may ask for clarification.
2. Accept the criticism in your review and acknowledge that you understand the point.
3. If you don¹t agree with the criticism, offer logical reasons for disagreeing with the assessment.
4. If you get angry or let your feelings be hurt, you have probably missed part of the process described here.

The importance of de-briefing

1. After the review, read through your notes for aspects of the comments that you missed. Particularly, listen for the positive comments.
2. Assess the reviewers. Did they give you an honest straightforward evaluation? Did they offer you insights that you did not have before? Were they talking to you, helping you, or performing for other reviewers?
3. Assess your preparation for performance during the presentation.

 

 

The quantity and quality of this outstanding work indicates a highly motivated student. This work meets all or most of the performance criteria established for the project, earning high marks in each section of the project evaluation sheet.
The process work shows a broad range of ideas being explored and rejected, not only the solution presented. The process work documents extensive visual, written, and materials background research; includes personal analytical comments, notes and diagrams; and thumbnail sketches working out distinctive details or difficult problems. The process work is well organized and easy to review.
The design work shows an in-depth understanding of the design problem and presents both in writing and visually an appropriate, comprehensive design concept. It includes 2-D and 3-D drawings and presentation layouts that shows imagination, innovation, and the excellent use of the design elements and principles. Detailing and refinement are clearly illustrated. The verbal presentation develops the rationale for the design in a cohesive manner.

 

The quality and quantity of this work shows a commitment to the project. This work meets all or most of the performance criteria established for the project, earning high marks in many sections of the project evaluation sheet.
The process work shows a somewhat limited range of ideas being explored and rejected, not only the solution presented. The process work documents visual, written, and materials background research; includes some personal analytical comments, notes and diagrams; and limited thumbnail sketches to work out details or problems. The process work is organized and easy to review.
The well-developed design work shows an understanding of the design problem and presents both in writing and visually an appropriate, but somewhat limited or restrictive design concept. The 2-D and 3-D drawings and presentation layouts shows appropriate solutions with better than average use of the design elements and principles. The presented work shows limited innovation and imagination. Detailing and refinement are illustrated. The verbal presentation develops the rationale for the design in a generally clear manner.

 

The quality and quantity of this work is acceptable or average. This work meets most of the performance criteria established for the project, earning average marks in most sections of the project evaluation sheet.
The process work shows a minimal range of ideas being explored to reach the solution presented, but rather is more a record of the steps to the final solution. The process work lacks a strong accounting of visual, written, and material background research; comments, notes and diagrams; and thumbnail sketches which shows lack of analytical problem solving and/or a commitment to the project. The process work is somewhat disorganized and difficult to review.
The average design work shows a lack of understanding of the design problem and presents both in writing and visually an unclear or underdeveloped design concept. The 2-D and 3-D drawings and presentation layouts show solutions with weak use of the design elements and principles. The presented work shows limited innovation and imagination and weak visual presentation skills. Detailing and refinement are unclearly illustrated and craftsmanship is weak. The verbal presentation develops little rationale for the design, but rather focuses on a description of solutions.

 

The quality and quantity of this work is below average and needs extensive revision to meet expectations. This work meets only some of the performance criteria established for the project, earning average or below average marks in most sections of the project evaluation sheet.
The process work fails to explore a range of ideas and shows an incomplete record of what was done to reach the solution presented. The process work gives an incomplete accounting of visual, written, and material background research; comments, notes and diagrams; and thumbnail sketches which shows lack of analytical problem solving and/or a commitment to the project. The process work is disorganized and difficult to review.
The below average design work shows a misunderstanding of the design problem and presents both in writing and visually a poorly formulated design concept. The 2-D and 3-D drawings and presentation layouts lack evidence of an understanding of the design elements and principles. The presented work lacks innovation and is unimagination and has poor presentation skills. Detailing and refinement are incomplete. The verbal presentation develops no rationale for the design, and presents an awkward description of solutions.

 

This work is complete and does not meet expectations. This work does not meet most of the performance criteria established for the project, earning below average marks in most sections of the project evaluation sheet.
The ideas are poorly explored and the process work is an incomplete record of what was done to reach the final solution. Visual, written, and material background research, as well as, notes and diagrams; and thumbnail sketches are minimal or missing. The process work is disorganized and difficult to review.
The below average design work shows a misunderstanding of or lack of commitment to the design problem and presents both in writing and visually a poorly formulated design concept. The 2-D and 3-D drawings and presentation layouts lack evidence of an understanding of the design elements and principles. The presented work lacks innovation and is unimaginative and exhibits poor presentation skills. Detailing and refinement are incomplete. The verbal presentation develops no rationale for the design, and presents an awkward description of solutions.