What is Due - Critique Criteria

A fully functional lamp that:

  1. is an enclosed polyhedron
  2. has interlocking extensions
  3. is illuminated
  4. is made of heat-resistant materials that will not degrade or become a safety hazard
  5. is a unique, original design
  6. is presented as intended

In-class critique on the due date of your classmates' work following these instructions: Please critique a minimum of three of your classmates’ submissions. Work so that everyone receives feedback. If you like a piece, don't just say that; back it up with why. Same goes if you do not think it works as an aesthetic and functioning lamp.

Read through the HOW TO CRITIQUE page for more specific critique instructions.

Things to Discuss During Critique:

  • Overall aesthetic - Is it static, dynamic, circumvoluted? Messy and chaotic, or clean? Messiness isn’t necessarily a bad thing, since that can make a lamp more energetic and dynamic, but does it feel intentional, or is it haphazard instead? Cleanliness and simplicity can be beautiful, but it can also be boring and uninspired. How successful a piece is usually comes down to intentionality and thoughtfulness. Ask yourself, what exactly about the lamp is beautiful? Does anything feel unbalanced or out of place?
  • Originality - Is this a new idea, or is the lamp rehashing a commercial design or one of the examples shown at the beginning of the project? There are set guidelines to the project, but the rules can be bent or broken for innovative ideas. If the lamp is wildly different from the prescribed parameters, is that because the designer fundamentally misunderstood the project, or did they have a unique vision?
  • Technical execution - Is it well made? Can you see that they struggled with the material, or does it appear flawless?
  • Functionality - These lamps are intended to be works of art, but they are also lamps. Can they realistically function as such?
  • Ambition - Probably the most important aspect: Regardless of the end result, did the designer try something complex, daring, and new, or did they play it safe?