You're facing criticism for your design choices. How do you uphold professionalism while defending them?

If your designs face no criticism How can your designs become valuable? Think smart, Act smart No matter what people say about your design, if your mind is satisfied and according to principle then go ahead!

Listening Carefully: Understand the feedback fully before responding. Staying Calm and Positive: Keep the conversation constructive and avoid defensiveness. Explaining Your Choices: Clearly articulate the rationale behind your design decisions. Providing Evidence: Support your decisions with data and examples. Acknowledging Valid Points: Recognize valid criticisms and show openness to improvement. Suggesting Compromises: Offer solutions that address concerns while maintaining your vision. Focusing on Goals: Emphasize how your choices align with project objectives. Following Up: Summarize discussions and agreed changes to ensure alignment.

When explaining design decisions, I adapt my approach based on the audience. With designers, I discuss methodologies using technical terms and data. For stakeholders like product managers, I highlight how design aligns with project goals in clear language. For laymen, I simplify further, focusing on practical benefits like usability and aesthetics. This custom-made communication ensures my designs are *understood* and appreciated by all, fostering better collaboration and support. Most of the time it is just that people find it hard to understand the thought process and idealogy behind the design rather than disliking it, if we are confident about our design thought process. So better communication and welcoming criticism are the keys.

In my experience, when facing criticism as a senior UI/UX designer, it's crucial to listen actively and respond calmly, using data and user research to substantiate your design decisions. I make it a point to clearly explain the rationale behind my choices and invite collaboration to explore improvements, maintaining openness to constructive feedback. This approach ensures professionalism and underscores my commitment to creating effective, user-centered designs aligned with the project's business objectives.

In a recent interaction with a client, I received criticism on my design choice (prototype/testing stage). I remained calm and let my client explain the problem with my approach. I stayed open-minded and listened attentively to their feedback. Afterward, I calmly explained my design choices, which my client appreciated because I had many edge cases in reference. Their feedback was invaluable in improving the design, as they brought a practical perspective. Sometimes, we focus too much on perfect design and miss small practical details that enhance the design and UX. Listening to criticism not only improves the design but also helps you grow in your career.

When you get criticized for your design choices, start by listening to what’s being said and try to understand where the other person is coming from. Acknowledge their point of view and then explain why you went with your design. Share how it fits with the client's goals and needs. This way, you’re not just defending your work but also showing you’re open to feedback and professional in how you handle it.

To uphold professionalism while defending your design choices, listen carefully to the criticism and acknowledge valid points. Explain your design decisions clearly, using data and examples to support your choices. Stay calm, respectful, and open to feedback, showing a willingness to find a solution that satisfies both parties.

Facing criticism for design choices is a valuable opportunity for growth. Here’s my approach: 1. **Listen Actively**: Understand the concerns and perspectives shared. 2. **Stay Calm and Open-Minded**: View feedback as constructive, not personal. 3. **Explain Thought Process**: Clearly articulate the rationale behind my design choices. 4. **Seek Solutions**: Collaborate to find improvements and mutually beneficial outcomes. By embracing feedback and fostering open communication, I uphold professionalism while enhancing my designs.

Empathize: Show genuine understanding of the critic's perspective. Clarify: Ask clarifying questions to fully understand the criticism. Summarize: Rephrase the criticism to ensure accurate understanding. Clear and Concise Explanation Justify Choices: Explain the design decisions based on specific design principles, target audience, or project goals. Provide Evidence: Support your explanations with data, research, or industry best practices. Use Visual Aids: If possible, use visuals to demonstrate your thought process. Constructive Dialogue Maintain Calm: Avoid defensive or aggressive responses. Focus on Solutions: Offer alternative solutions or compromises. Be Open-Minded: Consider the critic's suggestions with an open mind.

In design, critique is part of the journey. Recently, I've faced some criticism on a project, and I see this as an opportunity to clarify my perspective. My designs blend aesthetics with functionality, inspired by Jaipur's vibrant culture and traditions. While I value constructive feedback, I also believe in staying true to our brand's core vision. THINGS TO MIND: 1.Acknowledge Feedback- Show that you value the client's input. 2.Explain Your Vision- Share the reasoning behind your design choices. 3. Offer Alternatives-Suggest adjustments to address concerns. 4.Stay Professional-Maintain a positive and respectful tone. 5. Reiterate Value-Remind the client of the unique benefits of your design.

Acknowledge their concerns. It is important that your client feels like their input is valuable. Address each concern point by point. As the designer, you made conscious decisions about the choices you made. Referring to solid design principles, explain why you made the choices you did and discuss the strengths of those decisions, and how they make the design work more effectively. As well, you might consider their comments and see if there is common ground between your choice and the clients desires. If the concern will make the piece less effective, in the end you'll have to decide what direction to take. Some adhere to "the client is always right", some take the "Howard Roark" approach. Tough choice.

Na minha experiência, entendo que, após acolher os feedbacks de maneira construtiva, é importante adotar uma comunicação não violenta e trazer justificativas consistentes que embasem suas intencionalidades com aquele trabalho. É sabido que o campo do design conta com a subjetividade, porém, isso não deve ser um pilar principal. Justifique suas escolhas, monte um storytelling que faça com que seus clientes entendam o partido adotado por você. Mostre o motivo pelo qual suas decisões são as melhores para solucionar as questões de design expostas.

Our development process is one of the most important that exists, each stage must count as if it were our life, in fact, it is a new life. New Brand, new thoughts, each decision will have consequences, they must be good for you and the brand. Your creation process must be clear and evident, not only from Designer to Designer, but also from Designer to Client, they are your priority, each alternative, change, explanation, must be in an easy to understand concept and values, each Minimum detail must also be included for better formatting of ideas and final approval.

In the book, 'Design is a Job', by Mike Monteiro, he says a designer sells his/her ideas or design. It is the designer's job to sell their rationale. This is done by listening first, which creates the brief. Whatever you design must achieve the goal in the brief. This neutralizes any biases. As long as the design achieves the goals outlined, it does not matter who likes what and who doesn't. There are some designs that I'm not proud of, some color combinations I'm not a fan of but they get the job done so I must swallow my pride.

A lot of times the client may want something they saw somewhere or would just want to incorporate in their design. But as professionals we can make them understand the WHY'S. -Why it might not fit with their brand. -Why the colors or typography don't go well together. -Why is the placement like that. And maybe a bit of HOW'S. -How the placement can change the whole design. -How this impacts the design etc. First understand their pov and then make them understand the principles behind it.

Once you’ve heard the criticism, calmly explain the reasoning behind your design choices. Share the research, data, and thought process that guided your decisions. Providing context helps others understand your perspective and the informed choices you made.

Finding common ground is essential when addressing criticism. Identify areas of agreement between you and the critic, and build on those points. Acknowledge any valid concerns they have and show a willingness to adapt your design if necessary. This collaborative approach demonstrates your flexibility and commitment to creating the best possible outcome, which can help diffuse tension and foster a more productive discussion.

Most of the times in my 17 years of experience clients are not unreasonable when explained. So explanation on the space, goal that was to be achieved, how the design serves the purpose, technicalities of the design, functionality and aesthetics of design. Client's do respect once they understand details. Infact, most of the client's look at every design separately. Whereas designers look at it as a wholesome project. This needs to be explained to client without getting offended.

Design is subjective, and what one person finds beautiful, another might not. When facing criticism, refer back to the design brief and explain how your choices align with the project's goals. By demonstrating the rationale behind your decisions, you can maintain professionalism and foster constructive dialogue.

Great point! Seeking clarity on feedback is essential for growth. It shows professionalism and a genuine desire to improve. By asking specific questions, we ensure the design evolves in the right direction. Let's dive into the critique together!

Always approach feedback with an open mind and a readiness to engage in constructive dialogue. This not only helps obtain clear and actionable insights but also fosters a collaborative environment where feedback is seen as a tool for mutual improvement rather than criticism. When seeking clarity, ask specific questions that guide the feedback provider to give more detailed insights. For example, if a client says a design feels "off," you might ask, "Can you specify what elements feel out of place? Is it the color scheme, the layout, or the typography?"

If the feedback is vague or unclear, ask for specific examples or further explanation. This shows that you’re taking the criticism seriously and want to address it thoughtfully. Clarifying the feedback can also help you better understand the core issues.

If the criticism seems vague or unfounded, don't hesitate to ask for specifics. Seeking clarity shows that you're engaged and willing to work through the feedback. It also ensures that any adjustments you make are targeted and effective. Asking questions not only helps you understand the critique better but also encourages a dialogue that can lead to a more refined design outcome.

At this point, the ideal would be to leave no doubts, the best steps are the initial ones where we can ask everything about everything, clarify our doubts and the doubts of our client. Extracting the maximum amount of information is the initial basis for each project, a good Briefing, a 30-minute meeting with questions that are not very pragmatic or that make the meeting boring.

If the criticism is vague or doesn't seem right, ask for more details. This shows you're paying attention and want to understand. It helps you make the right changes and encourages a conversation that can lead to a better design.

The best designs come when we understand the brief. Someone said this to me once, ask as many questions, know as much as you can about what the client wants, leave no doubts and then reconfirm what you understood from it. And honestly, it always helps.

Evite jargões técnicos e use uma linguagem simples e direta para que todos possam entender. Utilize exemplos práticos para ilustrar seus pontos.

It's super important to ask for and understand all the details of the client's critical feedback. I especially ask why they hold a particular view, so I can keep in mind what issues are important to them in future project phases or other projects, and most importantly, understand why they think the way they do.

Al finalizar una reunión de avance o de revisión siempre es importante tener clara la conclusión final. Saber que funciona, que no y que mejorar.

Many a times clients do have a point when they raise concerns, though they are personal. There is no harm in ammending design to suit their comfort as long as the whole design is not getting affected drastically. Afterall, irs the client who has to stay their.

With an experienced Designer's eye, I agree with some quotes that changes don't hurt, but I also disagree in a certain way. Many changes will cause your project to end up losing its initial "essence", that ignition point where we look and see our work in a beautiful way and bring our ideas to present to the client. In my opinion, we must find clients who look for our ways of creating, our identity for doing our work, our way of presenting and creating new concepts.

When defending design choices, don't just justify, elevate. Offer alternatives that not only address critiques but also enhance the design. This demonstrates your expertise, adaptability, and dedication to excellence. By presenting thoughtful options, you shift the conversation from "my way vs. your way" to "what's the best way?" This collaborative approach shows that you're invested in the project's success, not just your own creative ego. It fosters trust, encourages constructive feedback, and leads to innovative solutions that exceed expectations. By embracing alternatives, you can transform design critiques into opportunities for growth and improvement.

I've run into this with clients quite a bit. It’s key not to take it personally—sometimes they just need a bit of reassurance and to feel heard. There’s no harm in considering their suggestions and tweaking things a bit, as long as you stay true to the original vision. Offering alternatives that address their feedback while still enhancing the design can be really effective. Trust me, it’s all about balancing their input with your creative direction.

Some people like clean sweep By having no accessories cleaning is just a sweep away. I find it great ignorance by not being able to show some sort of piece but then that’s me not the client. If you want no accessories then that is what you’ll have. Please stick to your original requests before putting a trained person to work. This is where down payments are often requested. I can certainly see why. I have no time to waste and I’m sure other Professional Designers don’t either. If your clashes are too severe then feel free to get another designer but the downpayment I keep. Have a nice evening. Enjoy the warm weather.

Oferecer opções e colaborar com seus stakeholders é fundamental durante o processo de design. Quando envolvemos as pessoas nos projetos, elas se sentem parte daquilo e, consequentemente, vão entender e apoiar ainda mais suas escolhas de Design. Trazer alternativas ajuda a entrar em um comum acordo entre as partes, mas é sempre importante lembrar de suas convicções e saber no que lutar e no que ceder.

After the second and third alternatives, it becomes a dead end. After capturing the right frequency and feedback details, the result is close to or even exactly what the customer wants. But some people are unsatisfied and unpredictable and don't know what they want. Working with them is a waste of time!

I always listen to the client's feedback and if I have something to offer I will make it known. It shows that I think outside the box but also take into consideration what my client is saying- collaboration is a 2 way street.

Se possível, apresente outras opções que foram consideradas e explique por que a escolhida foi a mais adequada para o projeto. Isso demonstra que você analisou diferentes possibilidades e tomou uma decisão consciente.

Often, during our discussions, I show clients within the design program how alternative drafts would look. More often than not, they find that their original ideas don’t appeal to them as much as they initially thought. This visual comparison helps them understand the design process better and appreciate the refined concepts even more.

It’s important to be able to take in relevant feedback and that’s how we grow. One may or may not agree with it. It helps here to take a birds eye view so to speak.

Taking in feedback is always a hard time for a designer. But if you successfully understand their perspective and could make a change which might add on to your creative knowledge, then you have mastered it.

5/ Maintain Perspective → feedback matrix to categorizing and prioritizing feedback based on criteria such as impact, feasibility, and alignment with project goals.

Perspective is important, so is having character and personality. all feedback is important. Once the customer's focus is on the right line, it is easy to achieve results. Breathe, focus, do the best you can.

En equipos interdisciplinarios, tambien sirve conocer y tener en cuenta los intereses de las partes, dado que a veces las criticas responden a mejorar perspectivas particulares en detrimento de otras. El foco siempre debe estar en equilibrar las posiciones sin perder de vista el objetivo macro.

I always listen to criticism keeping in mind several things, the source and their expertise, their agenda and if their role is actually a "final approver or decision maker". I acknowledge concerns and usually have to explain why innovation and creativity sells. You must be able to defend your design and open minds to originality!

There is nothing wrong with not liking your designs, design is a totally subjective discipline. And for thousands of years the canons of what is considered beautiful or ugly have been changing non-stop. So, when faced with any bad criticism, the logical thing is to take a perspective, try to understand the feedback clearly, and not turn it into anything personal, since that way it will be very difficult to solve it.

Lembre-se que o design é uma forma de comunicação e que o objetivo final é transmitir uma mensagem clara e eficaz. Mantenha o foco nos objetivos do projeto e como suas escolhas contribuem para isso.

It’s important to be able to take in relevant feedback and that’s how we grow. One may or may not agree with it. It helps here to take a birds eye view so to speak.

It’s important to be able to take in relevant feedback and that’s how we grow. One may or may not agree with it. It helps here to take a birds eye view so to speak.

With every single project comes different perspectives and with every different perspective comes a learning and growth. So yes..keep learning, keep growing

Even if you disagree with a criticism you've received there's usually a nugget of insight. What's their perspective, and why are they unhappy with the solution? I like to take a step away and really think about where they're coming from. Your colleagues are looking at the product from a different angle. When the people you work with are willing to be frank with you, that's a gift. Reflect on their perspective and ask to learn about their workflows. You will gain a greater perspective of the company at large and your work will be more effective as a result.

I would say analysis the feedback just like we would analyze the comments for RCA analysis if given the task to understand the drop in ratings of any company's application. Give terms to the feedback to improve the product further. Like difficulty in log in means a technical glitch in the app. so the feedback says the CTA is not clear enough may be it's time to give it a different color.

A lo largo de mi carrera he conocido personas que interactúan con el resultado final de algún diseño en el que yo haya intervenido. Estas personas me han contado sus experiencias desde su área: Montaje, Operaciones, Mantenimiento, etc., que me ayudan a que cada vez mis diseños sean más completos, eficientes y efectivos.

We can't forget that very often we will work for people who will dismiss professional advice and act on personal opinions. It is important to let go. This is not your baby - it's theirs. You are there to help to make it as good as possible. Still - look at good designs often. Design for yourself too. Work on projects that fullfil your need for a different standard - keep a balance between client work and personal work. Stay curious, explore and learn new things. Client work is often highly personal and does not limit your ability outside of the project.

It is always important to listen to different design ideas. If design is a part of one's career, it is imperative to be resilient when ideas are knocked down. Never a rejection can be personal, it could only be due to business reasons or client preferences. Hold your rationale strong. If the ideas are not accepted, be open to taking the suggested idea and move forward with a clear mind to execute. Agility is the oxygen for a designer.

Utilize as críticas como uma oportunidade para aprender e se desenvolver. Analise seus pontos fortes e fracos e busque maneiras de melhorar seu trabalho.

Cada diseño es distinto y va enfocado a diferentes objetivos. Una vez comprendida esa referencia es indispensable saber que es importante tener en cuenta que este trabajo es de constante aprendizaje, así que es fundamental tener referencias que puedan ajustarse a los objetivos y tener ese punto de partida.

Las críticas nos hacen crecer, y si bien al comienzo puede ser duro, es la habilidad de transformar lo que te hace un diseñador, es mejor verlo como una oportunidad para aprender.

Most of the time, the feedbacks you get are from non-designers who actually do not know the principles of design. Being a professional, you should explain the logics and listen to their perspectives. If their concerns are negotiable, you should consider them but defending your designs is one of your key roles.

As my point of view, Every piece of criticism is like a little gift to help me improve. I might see my design choices as top-notch, but I understand they can seem "abstract" to others. Let's agree my choices are bold; even Picasso had critics, right? In the end, we're all aiming to make things not just look good, but work well too! Thankyou

Lee Clow said it many years ago- "The best revenge is a better ad"! I used to follow that till I realised, there is no revenge here. It is work at the end of the day for a client who is paying the bill. Few things to do: 1. Listen. 2. Use logic to convince. 3. If that doesn't work, go back and create a stronger piece of communication. 4. Look for an alternate metaphor or logic to communicate the solution. At the end of the day we are working for a client and however dull the response may seem, either sell the idea or work on a stronger one!

Facing criticism for your design choices requires a balanced, professional response that combines confidence with openness to feedback. Uphold your professional integrity by clearly articulating the rationale behind your decisions, emphasizing the principles and goals that guided your design process. Highlight how the choices align with the project’s objectives, such as functionality, aesthetics, and user experience. At the same time, listen actively to the concerns raised, showing a willingness to understand different perspectives and consider constructive suggestions. This approach demonstrates both a strong commitment to your design vision and a respect for collaborative improvement.

I think good design isn't about arguing your design choices or teaching critics about design principles. The criticism can be incredibly valuable because that can be indicative of how users will interact with or feel about a product or service. So it's important to go beyond the criticism and try to understand a need that your design is either failing to meet and meeting but not explicitly. Users or others criticising a design may not understand design but they likely have a hunch what works and what doesn't. Good design is about absorbing and translating those inarticulated needs into great outcomes and experiences for users.

My POV, When facing criticism for design choices, I like to say, "One person’s masterpiece is another’s mystery! But every choice I made has a purpose. Let's chat about the ideas behind it, and maybe you'll see why these designs are more than just doodles!"

7/ Else to consider: → Explore industry trends aligning with modern expectations. → Involve key stakeholders early in the design process to gather their initial thoughts and expectations. → User testing: gathering feedback from real users when possible and backup your choices with facts and numbers. → Don't take anything personal. The goal is always the same, making it easier for the client to achieve their goal without friction. → In a fast growing industry, every single project is a new challenge.

Design é mais sobre funcionalidade que sobre estética, as pessoas tem uma visão errada sobre o realmente é o design, pois não é só criar coisa bonitas, é solucionar problemas. Então antes de ser esteticamente atraente, o design precisa ser funcional e acessível. Portanto, em muitos projetos precisamos abrir mão da beleza para viabilizar a funcionalidade.

Probably defending it based on designing principles that you respected as a professional, but being a more subjective issue (but not as subjective as in arts for example), probably is hard to be objective as to why you had to make some design choices so they should be prepared from the beginning or related to the context.

A parte mais amarga, mas a mais estimulante, é que um projeto de Design sempre pode ser aprimorado. Seja uma pesquisa a mais a ser feita, um teste com usuário, um refinamento após o uso em massa... Por isso é tão importante saber receber feedback e ser resiliente quanto à suas criações. Demonstre confiança, mas saiba ouvir quando outros tiverem opiniões diferentes da sua.