Note: If you have a different UI than in the course, you can change it back by clicking the '?' in the bottom right corner of Figma and select 'Go back to previous UI'. Happy Figma'ing!

How to give feedback on a UX project - The Critique Sandwich

This lesson is exclusive to members

Course contents

Questions

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Course info

177 lessons / 16 hours 46 quiz questions 21 projects Certificate of achievement

Overview

Hi there, aspiring Figma enthusiasts! Are you ready to embark on an exhilarating journey with me, Dan Scott, as we unlock the full potential of our Figma skills in the dazzling realm of UX/UI Design using Figma Advanced?

Try Figma for free by clicking here.

This course is tailor-made for those who have already mastered the fundamental principles of UI/UX Design using Figma. If you've triumphed over my Figma Essentials course or have a sneaking suspicion that there's a treasure trove of unexplored tools, tips, workflows, and updates awaiting your discovery, then look no further! This course is your golden ticket to taking your UI/UX prowess to the next level.

Together, we'll start by delving into the depths of multilevel nested autolayouts, and unravel the secrets used by UX professionals by learning:
- Workflow techniques, managing design assets, styles, components, grid and column layouts like true virtuosos.
- Learn how to use Variables and put them to work creating even more complete prototypes.
- Use variables to make Light & Dark Modes + Compact & Comfortable spacing versions of your components. 
- You’ll then take your new knowledge of variables to understand and create your own Design Tokens. 
  • - Unleashing the magic of advanced animation techniques, captivating users with animated background gradients and Houdini Text.
  • - Harness the power of Lottie animation files, breathing life into your designs.
  • - Crafting responsive elements that effortlessly adapt to any device, proving your design prowess knows no bounds.
  • - Unleashing the full potential of powerful images & video masking techniques, amplifying the visual impact of your creations.
  • - Mastering advanced typography features, transforming words into captivating works of art.
  • - Embracing the realm of AI, infusing your process with its genius to elevate your skills as a UX designer.
  • - Elevate your prototyping game, conducting user tests with finesse using advanced techniques.
  • - Unveiling sticky scroll buttons that stack, animated anchor points and booleans, and a host of other captivating effects.
  • - Creating enchanting dropdown menus, hover grow effects for images, and expanding search bars.
  • - Discovering the right accessibility tools & techniques, ensuring inclusivity and usability for all users.
  • - Becoming a variant boss, expertly taming unwieldy variants to just 1 or 2.
  • - Unveiling the secrets of seamless collaboration with designers, developers, and stakeholders.
  • - Mastering the art of exporting production-ready assets, bringing your designs to life beyond the realm of Figma.
  • - Unearthing professional workflow tricks & shortcuts, saving you precious time and skyrocketing your efficiency.
  • - Plus much more exciting advanced Figma goodness along the way!

As you journey through this course, you'll acquire the skills wielded by UX professionals, gaining a profound understanding of the UX Design industry. From concept to a highly polished finish, you'll confidently manage your own UX projects ideal for your portfolio.

Throughout the course, I'll assign assignments and projects that nurture your skills and empower you to create your very own unique UX design masterpiece for your portfolio. Don’t worry if this all seems overwhelmingly advanced right now, because the BYOL crew stands ready to support and guide you, ensuring your questions get answered.

It's time to embrace the call to upgrade yourself and transcend from being a good UX Designer to a bona fide Figma UX Superhero! Unlock your potential, save the day, and let your design prowess soar!

Requirements:

- A copy of Figma (a free plan is available on the Figma website).
  • - Basic knowledge of Figma is required. I recommend watching my Figma Essentials course prior to embarking on this epic adventure.

Who this course is for:

  • - UX/UI adventurers who already have a basic understanding of Figma.
  • - Self-taught Figma enthusiasts yearning for structured guidance.
  • - Graduates of my Figma Essentials Course, hungry for more knowledge and skills.
  • - Visionaries who have developed their own unique Figma approach but crave exploration of the vast universe of tools, updates, and time-saving techniques.

What you'll learn:

  • - Diving deep into multi level nested autolayouts. 
  • - Robust components that are easy to update and hard to break. 
  • - Component properties. 
- Variables
- Design Tokens
- Advanced Prototyping using Variables
  • - Learn Workflow tips and tricks for managing your design assets, styles, components, grid and column layouts.
  • - Advanced animation techniques
  • - Animated Background gradients. 
  • - Houdini Text
  • - Animate along a path in Figma
  • - How to add Lottie animation files in Figma
  • - Build responsive elements ready for any device size.
  • - The best shortcuts & plugins to make you a more efficient UX designer.
  • - Absolute Positioning of Autolayouts. 
  • - Powerful images & video masking techniques. 
  • - Advanced typography features. 
  • - Learn to use AI in your process to make you a better UX designer. 
  • - Advanced prototyping techniques to level up your user tests. 
  • - Make prototypes better and faster using tricks & shortcuts. 
  • - Sticky scroll buttons that stack. 
  • - Video playback controls. 
  • - Animated anchor points and booleans.
  • - Create a Dropdown menu
  • - Create a hover grow effect for images.
  • - Create and expanding Search Bar 
  • - Learn the right accessibility tools & techniques  
  • - Become a variant boss. Cutting down those 100 variants to just 1 or 2. 
  • - Learn the best ways to work with other designers, developers and stakeholders. 
  • - Build a UX project from beginning to end ready for your portfolio.
  • - Export production ready assets.
  • - Learn professional workflow tricks & shortcuts.
  • - Forum support from me and the rest of the BYOL crew.
  • - All the techniques used by UX professionals
  • - 160 videos of detailed Figma Advanced Content.
Daniel Scott

Daniel Scott

Founder of Bring Your Own Laptop & Chief Instructor

instructor

I discovered the world of design as an art student when I stumbled upon a lab full of green & blue iMac G3’s. My initial curiosity around using the computer to create ‘art’ developed into a full-blown passion, eventually leading me to become a digital designer and founder of Bring Your Own Laptop.

Sharing and teaching are a huge part of who I am. As a certified Adobe instructor, I've had the honor of winning multiple Adobe teaching awards at their annual MAX conference. I see Bring Your Own Laptop as the supportive community I wished for when I was first starting out and intimidated by design. Through teaching, I hope to bring others along for the ride and empower my students to bring their stories, labors of love, and art into the world.
True to my Kiwi roots, I've lived in many places, and currently, I reside in Ireland with my wife and kids.

Certificates

We’re awarding certificates for this course!

Check out the How to earn your certificate video for instructions on how to earn yours and click the available certificate levels below for more information.

How to earn your certificate

Work your way towards your certificate for this course by following these simple steps.

  • Watch the course videos
  • Complete the Class Projects - look out for the videos marked with
  • Upload your class projects into the My Projects area in your account
  • Complete and pass the Knowledge Quiz (Merit level courses only)
  • Complete the Distinction Certificate Project (Distinction level courses only) - look out for the video marked with
  • Upload your Distinction project to the My Projects area in your account
  • Request your certificate when you've completed the requirements for the certificate level you're working towards

Good luck!

Pass certificates

We’re awarding ‘Pass’ level certificates for this course.

You can work your way towards your ‘Pass’ certificate by following these simple steps.

  • Watch the course videos
  • Complete the Class Projects - look out for the videos marked with
  • Upload your class projects into the My Projects area in your account
  • Don’t forget to request your certificate when all your projects are complete

Good luck!

Merit certificates

We’re awarding ‘Merit’ level certificates for this course.

You can work your way towards your ‘Merit’ certificate by following these simple steps.

  • Watch the course videos
  • Complete the Class Projects - look out for the videos marked with
  • Upload your class projects into the My Projects area in your account
  • Complete and pass the Knowledge Quiz
  • Don’t forget to request your certificate when you have passed the quiz and completed all your projects

Good luck!

Distinction certificates

We're awarding 'Distinction' level certificates for this course.

You can work your way towards your 'Distinction' certificate by following these simple steps.

  • Watch the course videos
  • Complete the Class Projects - look out for the videos marked with
  • Upload your class projects into the My Projects area in your account
  • Complete and pass the Knowledge Quiz
  • Complete the Distinction Certificate Project - look out for the video marked with
  • Upload your Distinction project to the My Projects area in your account
  • Don't forget to request your certificate when you have passed the quiz and completed all your projects

Good luck!

Downloads & Exercise files

Transcript

Hi everyone, hey, wanted to get out of the computer and talk to you in person... about giving feedback on UX design projects... so why are we talking about feedback on projects? It's because, in the next video... not sure why it's behind me... but the next video in the series here is a class project...

where we're actually going to submit it, and there's... you know, you'll be looking for feedback... and the problem with-- where I'm at professionally now, is that... I think, we crossed over like half a million students... no, was actually quite a while ago now... so even if I wanted to do this full-time and only give feedback...

and never make courses again... I still couldn't keep up with the... you know, with everybody's projects... and you want feedback, I want you to have feedback. So the deal is, is that you're going to... when you submit one project you have to give feedback to two other projects...

of people doing a similar sort of thing, or anything... so that's going to be the deal... why do we do it? It's two reasons, right, you want feedback, you want critical feedback... you want to see if you're doing it right... you know, it's nice to get that interaction...

it's important for you to grow as a designer... and probably more importantly is you giving feedback to other people... will help you more than you know... being able to articulate yourself in terms of... what you do like, what you don't like, to other people... really helps you understand...

what you like, what you don't like... and it allows you to really get good at selling in your ideas... when you are presenting UX design projects... so it's win-win, you submit one, which will be the next project... and you comment on another two, we pay it forward... because it's good for all we're doing here at Bring Your Own Laptop...

it's good for you, it's good for the people that you're commenting on... it's all sorts of wins. The problem is, is not everyone knows how to give feedback... some of you will be great at it, so go do that... I'll give you my tips to do it, yeah, let's do that. First up, let's talk about the things you don't do...

the don't dos is, well done, thumbs up emoji... that's not useful for anybody so we're going to add a little bit more value... doesn't have to be paragraphs... but I'll give you a good structure in a second on how to... do something meaningful to the person you're doing it... and so that you can actually develop your...

articulation of reviewing... it's not a word, but here we go. First thing is, is that if you see something, you're like... "I don't even know what to say, because I'm not even sure what I'm critiquing"... if that is the case, and you're not sure, instead of skipping it, ask a question... that's a great way for, to get the dialogue started, which is awesome...

but also, it helps the person that is posting the... you know, project, to be a bit more, to know that people are checking it... so that they're going to be a bit more articulate about how they are... you know, delivering it, explaining it... maybe bit of screenshots, maybe an "A", a "B"... so ask a question if you're unsure, and ask a specific question...

"Hey, what is going on over here, what is this bit for?"  Not just question mark, "What is this?," be a little bit more... specific to get a dialogue started... so if you're unsure, ask a question about the project. So let's say that we do know what they're trying to do... and we've got an opinion on it, we're not sure what to say... bring in the critique sandwich...

so what is the critique sandwich? So it is... it's, it's a methodology that I find works for me... so you take it, use the bits that you like, throw away the bits you don't... if you're very experienced you probably already have a way of doing this... go do that...

but there's going to be lots of people... who are actually just doing the Essentials course... moving into the Figma Advanced, even though they're quite new to the industry... because they want to get their skills up, so that's probably you. So, to give a good critique, I find, is... the sandwich is kind of made up of four parts...

it's two bits of bread and two meaty bits in the middle... or VG bits, because I'm vegetarian... but the bread bits are the positivity... and the middle bit is the, the real meat of it... it's not so much negativity, it's more the constructive part... so I find, leading with the things that you do like about it, helps it...

and lets the person receive the bits that... that you feel like it could be done better, or you got questions about... so leading with the things that you like... and ending, the ending one's easy, "Well done, keep going."  So that's the sandwich, the bits in the middle... let me take a pause, gather my thoughts, wait there... let's talk about the meaty part of the sandwich, the good bits.

There are two parts to it, there is the critique, and a solution... let's talk about the critique first... the most important part, probably, of this whole thing... it is, what I find giving-- I found criticism really hard to give... I'm the, Dan going to please everybody guy... so I found it really hard to give criticism until I worked out that...

if I change the positioning of, instead of it being me versus you... "I don't think the buttons are-- I think the buttons are too big"... or, "I don't like the colors of those buttons"... that's my opinion versus your opinion... not the way I work, I find it tricky... and the other person receiving it is, it's a...

it's a sleight on them and their decision making... if we move it across one... to the Persona and the project... I find it works better for everybody. So let's say that, we talk about the buttons, the size of the buttons... so if I said something more like the...

you know, considering the Persona, a tech savvy Persona... would find these buttons too big... I don't know, does it feel better than... "I don't think-- I think the buttons are too big"... and the Persona will find these buttons too big... or, "Traditionally this type of Persona, or this type of task...

has this sort of size buttons"... I feel like shifting it just a little bit over, I can get really--  and then I can go and find, research, and have stuff to back it up... rather than me versus you. So that's it, look at the task, it might be the task, it might be the Persona... whatever they're trying to do... let me think of another good task example...

how about this... bad way, "There were too many steps in this cancellation process"... me versus you, whereas if I use the Persona and the task... I say that... "I think the audience will find these many steps... in the cancellation process confusing" ...

I don't know, does it feel, it feels night and day to me, maybe not to you... but using the person, and then finding the task problematic... then leads us into what we can do next... whereas if I say, "I don't like you... the way you design," is a tricky way... anyway, next step.

So after the critique is the-- you need to offer a solution... and don't be too prescriptive, don't be like, "Make the logo bigger"... or, "Make the buttons smaller"... or, "Make the buttons 20 pixels, or 25 pixels, or 40 pixels"... don't be very specific... be more direction pointing...

like, "Hey, have you-- can you explore some more buttons?"  "Hey, have you had a look at this design system... they use these sizes, they're aimed at a similar audience, go check that out."  So allowing people a bit of creative freedom... and yeah, don't be too prescriptive... but offer something, some direction... "Have you tried" is another good one, "Can we explore"... is language that allows us both, me and you, the critique and the...

I don't know what you are... you're the designer... anyway, to go off together to explore stuff rather than us butting heads... there you go, critique, solution, the middle of the sandwich... that is it, that is the critique sandwich. Now one last thing...

is I want to give you permission to be able to critique anybody's work... you might be like, "Oh, I don't want to, they look better than me"... in this space, in this Bring Your Own Laptop world, it's okay... because the person receiving the critique... even if they're really good, and you've only been doing it for three days... they know, and you know, and I know that we're practicing our critiques...

and your first ones aren't going to be very good... you're allowed to be not very good at that... and then as you get through the course more and more you'll get better at it... you'll become a better UX designer... better able to communicate your ideas so go off and that. All right, that is it, let's get on to the class project...

and with Dan, clean the office up... he's letting his things go... like, "Ah, go to the beginning, I don't have to tidy up anymore"... look at that, that blurry thing at the background there, can you see... is a 3D printing box... was doing some 3D printing with some stinky plastics...

and it needs a, what do you call it, housing container, anyway... so it's all in bits, everything's flying around... but creativity, everywhere, it's also messy... all right, on to next video.
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