Design Critique Exercises
Part of the UI/UX Design Roadmap
In short
'Here's an app. What do you think?' This tests if you can give specific, useful feedback fast. 'It's nice' or 'I'd change the colour' won't cut it.
Being asked to critique an existing design live — testing whether you can apply Phase 7's heuristics and give specific, constructive feedback under pressure.
Think of it like this
The driving test examiner
A driving examiner doesn't just say 'good driving'. They watch for specific things: mirror checks, signals, speed near the school. Then they explain what matters most for safety. A design critique needs that same specific, prioritised eye.
Watch it happen
A critique exercise, done well
Critique this bus app
1/6You get a real app screen and a few minutes.
The big ideas
What you need to know
Goal first
Feedback only makes sense against a goal. Ask who it's for and what they need to do.
Prioritise
Lead with the issue that hurts users most, not the first thing you notice.
Use heuristics
Naming a principle, like 'visibility of system status', shows your feedback isn't just taste.
Say what works
Pointing out strengths shows balance and helps you sound fair, not just picky.
Save yourself the pain
Common mistakes
Oops
Listing 15 small visual nitpicks.
Do this instead
Pick the top three issues by user impact and explain each clearly.
Oops
Trashing the design harshly to sound smart.
Do this instead
Stay respectful. Someone on the panel may have designed it.
Your mission
Critique an app you use
Quick check
What's the strongest way to start a live design critique?
Go deeper
- 1Practice critiquing 2-3 real apps out loud, citing specific usability heuristics.
- 2Learn to balance genuine critique with acknowledging what the design does well.
- 3Practice structuring critique feedback: observation, principle violated, suggested direction.
More design exercises at this stop
Whiteboard Design Challenges
Redesign Challenges
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