HD·R2·02 Research
Design Criticism & Critical Writing
Writing that evaluates design as seriously as literature or film criticism does.
Design criticism applies rigorous critical analysis to design objects and practices, treating design as worthy of the same serious critical attention long given to literature, art, and film. This course covers writing design criticism that goes beyond opinion into structured, defensible critical argument.
In Development
This course's full module content is being written. The outline below is final, subscribe for updates when it publishes.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- 01 Distinguish design criticism from marketing copy or simple opinion
- 02 Structure a critical argument about a design object or practice defensibly
- 03 Apply theoretical frameworks to ground critical claims
- 04 Write design criticism accessible to a general audience without losing rigour
- 05 Evaluate existing design criticism for argumentative strength
- 06 Situate a specific critique within broader design and cultural context
- Criticism requires a defensible argument, not just a stated preference
- Marketing copy dressed as critique should be recognised and named as such
- Claim, evidence, and context together make an argument defensible
- Vague impressions without specific evidence do not constitute criticism
- Explicit theoretical framing distinguishes analytical critique from personal reaction
- Different frameworks reveal different, equally valid aspects of a design object
- Accessibility and rigour are compatible goals in published criticism
- Diluting an argument to seem accessible often just makes it unsupported
- Isolated critique misses what broader context reveals about significance
- Connecting to broader currents is what separates memorable criticism from a review