Critique: A Communicative Event in Design Education — A Qualitative Research

Abstract

Critique is a communicative and sociable event in which students present their design and critics provide feedback. Students often find it difficult to explain their work and articulate their thoughts because most design knowledge is tacit by nature. If design is about new concepts, then in a critique, students have to describe and clearly present their idea. However, in critiques, the focus is often on the content, but not as much on the communication competencies of delivering the idea across a group of people. Using a qualitative research methodology and interviewing Western faculty and Asian students, this study explores how communication between Western faculty and Asian undergraduate design students alters the effectiveness and affectiveness of a group critique. Implications of this study provide reflective insights for faculty and students on how critiques can be improved.