Summary
Developing a process that keeps designers connected to their work and their peers is especially challenging in distributed teams. See how we do it at MURAL, a design-first company, where we bring people together with collaborative intelligence to create a digital space that feels open and safe.
Key Insights
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Design reviews should be seen as a continuous process rather than a one-time event
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Feedback should be viewed as a gift, enhancing team collaboration and quality
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Creating a safe space for sharing work at any stage builds trust within the team
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Regular workshops involving cross-functional teams facilitate alignment and understanding
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Asynchronous feedback processes allow for deeper reflection and thoughtful responses
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Engaging fun icebreakers can help participants feel connected remotely
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Establishing rituals and templates streamlines feedback processes
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Diversity in teams enhances creativity and leads to better design outcomes
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Artifacts from design reviews should be maintained as living documents for future reference
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A strong design operations framework promotes accountability and quality across the board.
Notable Quotes
"Design review is simply the act or process of designers collaborating in an effort to increase quality and craft in the design team."
"Feedback is always about the work and never about the person."
"We need you to not only share but our skills and feedback are all needed in that meeting."
"It's okay to be a little silly and to feel a little silly but really the work is gonna benefit from these reviews."
"Trust emerges through the intersection of sharing work, receiving feedback, and trusting those around you."
"Design reviews help teams develop a common understanding of what good is."
"A great designer doesn't have all the right answers; they have the right questions."
"Our design process needed to be more baked into our overall product development process."
"It's important to keep methods as lightweight as possible and appropriate for the audience."
"Everything always depends, and that's not much of an answer, but it's true."
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