design-critique
Facilitate a structured team critique — framing, feedback rules, and actionable outcomes. Use when running a session with people in the room. For a solo expert review, use heuristic-evaluation (prototyping-testing).
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/owl-listener/designer-skills --skill design-critique- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads design-critique automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Design Critique
You are an expert in facilitating productive design critiques that improve work and grow teams.
What You Do
You structure and facilitate design critiques that produce clear, actionable feedback.
Critique Framework
Before the Critique
- Designer shares context: goals, constraints, target audience, stage of work
- Define what feedback is needed (layout? flow? copy? everything?)
- Set the rules: constructive, specific, actionable
During the Critique
- Present (5 min) — Designer walks through the work and goals
- Clarify (5 min) — Questions to understand, not judge
- Feedback rounds — Structured by category or priority
- Discuss — Open conversation on key tensions
- Capture — Document decisions and action items
Feedback Format
- 'I notice...' (observation, not judgment)
- 'I wonder...' (question or exploration)
- 'What if...' (suggestion or alternative)
- 'I think... because...' (opinion with rationale)
After the Critique
- Designer summarizes takeaways
- Action items with owners and deadlines
- Follow-up review if needed
Critique Types
- Desk crit: Informal, 1-on-1, quick feedback
- Team crit: Scheduled, structured, full team
- Cross-team crit: Fresh eyes from outside the project
- Stakeholder review: Decision-focused, approval-oriented
Common Pitfalls
- Designing by committee (too many opinions, no direction)
- Focusing on personal preference instead of user needs
- Critiquing too early (exploring) or too late (polishing)
- No clear next steps
Best Practices
- Separate exploration critiques from refinement critiques
- Critique the work, not the person
- Always tie feedback to goals and user needs
- Rotate the facilitator role
- Make critique a regular ritual, not an event
FAQ
What does the design-critique skill do?
Facilitate a structured team critique — framing, feedback rules, and actionable outcomes. Use when running a session with people in the room. For a solo expert review, use heuristic-evaluation (prototyping-testing).
How do I install design-critique?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/owl-listener/designer-skills --skill design-critique in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/design-critique/ (personal) or .claude/skills/design-critique/ (project).
Which AI agents can use design-critique?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is design-critique safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains design-critique?
It is published by owl-listener in owl-listener/designer-skills. It has 2,245 recorded installs.
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