The art of remote design: Accelerating outcomes with self-critique

Transitioning to fully remote work was relatively smooth in many aspects. The increase in quality, focused work time was a welcome change, but the sudden absence of immediate feedback felt like hitting a roadblock.

In the office, a quick turn to a colleague for a gut check was commonplace. Whether it was another designer offering feedback on everything from copy to interactions, or a project collaborator providing context and a fresh perspective, the availability of instant feedback was invaluable.

However, in a remote setting, this dynamic changes. While tools like Figma facilitate collaboration, the immediacy of in-person feedback is often lost. Waiting for critiques or scheduling calls introduces delays, hindering the iterative design process.

How can I make this better?

When I first started out in design, my primary focus was on delivery. Perhaps I was so consumed by meeting deadlines that I didn't allocate enough time for refining my work. This stemmed from my lack of experience in knowing when to push back, doing too much, and accurately estimating work. I can't pinpoint exactly when this mindset shifted, but recently, I've noticed I find myself asking: 'How can I make this better?' This simple question serves as the catalyst for my self-critique process and propels me toward design improvement.

As I reflect on this question, I delve into key aspects of my design, ensuring the information architecture is sound, the copy is clear and concise for users, the components are well-chosen, the layout is readable, and accessibility is prioritised for all users, including those relying on screen readers or keyboard-only navigation. The list goes on and on. With this simple question, I can self-critique before involving others. I then refine my designs, set them aside for a while, revisit them, and ask the question again.

Consider these additional steps to enhance your self-critique process, polish your designs, and craft more impactful user experiences:

• Align your designs with a set of design principles to ensure adherence to predefined constraints. Constraints are good. They help with product cohesiveness.

• Refer to Jakob Nielsen's Ten Usability Heuristics often. These guidelines are timeless and always serve as a reality check for anything I’m working on.

• Check out the Laws of UX. You may be using these without even knowing it. Worth buying the book and looking over every so often.

Personally, I find inspiration in Dieter Rams' 10 Principles of Good Design, so much so that I have a copy framed beside my desk. While these principles are traditionally applied to physical products, one maxim particularly resonates with me: 'Good design is as little design as possible.'

In conclusion, leverage the focused time that remote work offers to continuously refine your designs. By embracing a culture of self-critique and drawing upon established principles, we can set a high standard for our craft and quality. Remember to gather feedback from peers, colleagues, and users to further enhance your designs.