LANGUAGE OF DESIGN
CRITIQUE FRAMEWORK
CATEGORY
STRONG / CLEAR
The function, job or intent of this
FUNCTION design is clear.
The work addresses its intended
audience, and potentially
AUDIENCE addresses overlapping, related
audiences as well.
There is a clear visual hierarchy
HIERARCHY in this design.
The composition seems well
COMPOSITION organized, intentional, and
creates visual interest.
Elements of visual contrast
seem controlled, relevant to the
VISUAL CONTRAST content and create visual
interest.
ADDITIONAL
CONTRASTS This additional element of
Assess all that apply: contrast is strong. It is used
scale, weight, texture, successfully.
line, value, color.
The concept or main theme is
clearly communicated through
MEANING use of imagery, typography, use
of media and content.
A narrative is intentionally used
to clearly represent a concept or
idea through a visual story or
NARRATIVE /
series of images. Or a non-
SEQUENCE
narrative sequence is
intentionally used to establish a
mood or sense of style.
Critique Framework developed by Yasmin Khan for the online course The Language of Design: Form and Meaning, based on a
template developed by Otis College of Art and Design (https://otis.libguides.com/ld.php?content_id=34477142). CC-BY 3.0.
RATING
FAIR / UNDERSTANDABLE WEAK / UNCLEAR
The function, job or intent of this
The function, job or intent of this
design is somewhat evident, but
not completely clear or thought-
design is not identifiable or
understandable.
out.
The work addresses its intended The work does not have a clear
audience only and/or it could do audience and/or it does not
a better job addressing its clearly or appropriately address
intended audience. its intended audience.
The visual hierarchy is unclear.
There is a visual hierarchy, but it
The first, second, third reads are
is not functional. For example, it
may be confusing or emphasize
not identifiable and/or do not
make sense based on the
the wrong content.
content or idea.
The composition has elements
that seem organized, but may be
The composition seems
too fragmented, lacking
disorganized and arbitrary.
direction, too flat, not visually
interesting, etc.
Elements of visual contrast
Elements of visual contrast may
seem arbitrary, of no relevance
seem arbitrary or of little
relevance to the content or
to the content or lacking in
visual interest. The work does
lacking in visual interest.
not seem contemporary.
This additional element of visual This additional element of
contrast needs adjustment or contrast is not as a functional or
improvement. successful as intended.
The concept is identifiable but is The concept is not clear. Use of
not effectively communicated imagery, typography, use of
through use of imagery, media and content seem
typography, use of media and arbitrary or unrelated to the
content. concept or main theme.
The series of images seems to
have a general theme, but does
The series of images seems
not communicate an idea or
unrelated to the concept, theme
point of view. It is confusing
or subject matter.
because it is neither a clearly
narrative or a sequence.