How can you effectively respond to feedback that challenges your design choices?

To effectively respond to feedback challenging your design choices, understand the feedback by actively listening and asking questions. Then, evaluate it objectively by considering the source, reasoning, and alignment with design goals. Incorporate valid feedback while maintaining design integrity, or respectfully explain your reasoning if feedback is not valid.

Every choice a designer makes should have a rationale. This makes it much easier to defend when someone questions your choices. If you don't have an authentic rationale (although you should), you need to be able to b.s. on demand. I was once hired to draft a defense of a new logo design for the client's Board. The designer of the logo had died in an auto accident, so they weren't available to address the Board's concerns. I came up with rational for all aspects of the logo, which mollified the Board. Point being, it can be done if you're quick on your feet. But, I repeat: the best approach is to have an authentic rational for every choice. This doesn't guarantee success at deflecting dissent, but in my experience it goes a long way.

It is important to separate yourself and feelings from the concept / design. This will help with the feedback not piercing to the core. Understand even though you are smart, you are not always the smartest in every dimension. Mentally prepare for many iterations. This preps for a agile mindset. Goes a long way!

Los humanos somos seres emocionales, por lo tanto existirá un nivel de tensión en ambos lados del feedback. Como dise?adores, es nuestra responsabilidad abordar la retroalimentación y guiar al emisor (tu cliente o tu superior) para reformular su mensaje y que pueda aportar comentarios objetivos que nos acerquen a las expectativas del producto que se quiere desarrollar.

To evaluate the feedback I need to check the background of the product owner. Because feedback has a lot of dependency on the stakeholder or the product owner. Sometimes we see the vision but they can feel the actual business so in that case we need to know his/her vision first and then align the design with the vision. I think this type of respond causes better output instead of making noise.

It is good to know personalities and whose the final decision maker / key stakeholders are. Even if you don’t agree with the feedback and you have made several logical cases, know you won’t win all your battles and choose them wisely. Understand the perspective of the persons’ feedback that has the most wait. What are their motives, background / personality.. take and study DISC personality assessment. Knowing this allows you to know fears, triggers, persuasive points with others. Most managers are I’s and D’s in my experience.. from the DISC.

To evaluate feedback effectively, consider the source, reasoning, alignment with design goals, and target audience. This helps determine the validity and how to respond appropriately.

To explain your design choices effectively, be clear and concise, start by outlining design goals, use specific examples, be open to feedback, and be willing to make adjustments. Remember to articulate major design decisions significantly impacting the user experience or project success.

It is important sometimes to remind those in the review of the past decisions and revisions because many times leaders have so much going on they forget things. This will tee your discussion on the right foot. It baselines the thought process too, to move forward with clarity!