Design practice

Conversation Reflection

Self-assessment practice for identifying growth areas

Start the exercise

01 / Prepare

What you’ll
work on.

Develop a reflective practice habit by analyzing a recent design conversation (critique, stakeholder meeting, or 1:1) and identifying what went well, what was hard, and what you'd do differently.

Before you begin

  • A recent design-related conversation you can reflect on
  • Willingness to be honest with yourself

02 / Practice

The work,
step by step.

Work through these 4 parts at your own pace. Keep your notes and work together so you can review them when you finish.

  1. Recall

    20 min

    1. What was the context? — What kind of conversation was it? Who was there?

    2. What was the goal? — What were you trying to achieve or communicate?

    3. What happened? — Key moments, decisions, reactions

  2. Analyze

    30 min

    1. What went well? — A moment where you communicated clearly, asked a good question, or handled pushback gracefully

    2. What was hard? — Where you felt stuck, defensive, unclear, or unprepared

    3. What surprised you? — A reaction you didn't expect, a question you couldn't answer, an insight from someone else

    4. What would you do differently? — Specific, actionable changes (not "be better")

  3. Pattern Recognition

    20 min

    1. Are there recurring themes in what's hard for you?

    2. What skills or habits would address the pattern?

    3. What's one thing you'll practice in your next conversation?

  4. Write a Brief Summary

    20 min

    1. Write a 200–300 word reflection. This is for you — not for your portfolio. Keep it in a private doc and review it monthly.

03 / Review

Look at what
you’ve made.

Gather your deliverables, then use the criteria to find what worked and what you would change. They also give a peer something specific to respond to.

What to bring together

  • Written reflection (200–300 words)
  • One specific action for next time

How to assess your work

Honesty
Reflection is candid about difficulties, not just successes
Specificity
Identifies concrete moments and actionable changes rather than vague generalities

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