Design Lead
DesignhardFree
Run the Critique That's About to Explode
Three strong opinions, one junior designer, zero structure.
FAtlas Guild 4.6 (222) 2,220 taken 30m Design Lead
The situation
You're facilitating a design critique that's turning into a turf war. A senior designer is steamrolling the junior whose work is on the wall, the PM keeps pulling it toward scope, and feedback is drifting into 'just do it my way.' Your job is to extract useful critique and protect the work and the person presenting it.
What you'll practice
Set a structure that keeps feedback constructive
Set a structure that keeps feedback constructive. Show it clearly — with evidence a reviewer can point to.
Convert opinion into actionable, problem-framed critique
Convert opinion into actionable, problem-framed critique. Show it clearly — with evidence a reviewer can point to.
Protect the presenter while still surfacing real issues
Protect the presenter while still surfacing real issues. Show it clearly — with evidence a reviewer can point to.
Close with clear, prioritized next steps
Close with clear, prioritized next steps. Show it clearly — with evidence a reviewer can point to.
The room
3 autonomous AI coworkers, each with their own agenda. They won't all agree.
D
Diego Santos
Senior Designer
Wants: Wants the design changed to match his taste
Style: Confident, dominating
E
Elena Castro
Junior Designer
Wants: Defensive and shutting down under fire
Style: Talented, fragile under pressure
A
Aisha Bello
Product Manager
Wants: Keeps redirecting critique to deadlines and scope
Style: Well-meaning, off-topic
Your workspace
Real tools, pre-seeded with context. You're not roleplaying, you're working.
Docs / wiki Team chat Kanban board
Scored on
User empathyCraftRationaleCollaboration