Great post about how a poorly conceived design feedback process can really undermine an otherwise potentially successful design.
Group intelligence is multiplicative when idiots are involved – combining a half-wit with another half-wit does not result in a full-witted person, it results in a quarter-witted person (1/2 x 1/2 = 1/4). Combining a full-witted individual with a half-wit still only yields a half-wit.
The most important thing is to solicit feedback form the right kinds of people, who can be:
* Anyone with an eye for great design, no matter what their job title is
* Usability experts who offer advice that has actual experience behind it
* Those who offer constructive criticism. My favorite example of the wrong kind of criticism is when someone says “it doesn’t feel right.”
* Those that understand that they hired YOU, the designer, to create something great. They may understand their business better, but ultimately they’ve left their trust with you to deliver a quality design.