Have you ever felt that over-structuring a design critique can stifle spontaneity and limit the potential for valuable insights to emerge organically? When you're working within tight time constraints, how do you balance keeping the critique efficient while still allowing space for unexpected ideas or perspectives to surface?

To keep a design critique on track, set clear goals, focus on key design elements, and encourage brief, focused feedback. Stick to a structured format and avoid off-topic discussions. End by summarizing action points to ensure clarity on next steps.

When you're racing against the clock in a design critique, it’s all about staying focused and efficient. I like to kick things off by setting clear goals, so everyone knows what we need to cover. During the critique, I prioritize the most important feedback first—what’s going to make the biggest impact. If the conversation starts to drift, I’ll gently guide it back on track, reminding everyone we’re short on time. I also keep my points brief and to the point, which helps keep things moving. By the end, I make sure we have clear next steps so we leave the critique with a solid plan, even with the time crunch.