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OCAD U CO
Design Critique

What if your company’s core products & services were irresistible to users?

Our Design Critique program offers organizations the opportunity to have an outside expert perspective to evaluate the usability, user flow, accessibility, and/or user interface of a product or platform. 

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The Design Critique leverages the principles and best practices of design thinking and user experience to evaluate usability and marketability from a customer-centric lens. Our design experts will develop a 360° analysis that will help you improve the user experience of your product or platform for your customers and better position your company in the market.

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The program is funded by NRC-IRAP and primarily offered to their portfolio companies across Canada.

The Design Critique includes:

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  • A thorough review of a product, service, or platform from an expert user experience designer

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  • Clearly identified areas of opportunity to make improvements that can result in direct and immediate ROI

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  • A detailed written report outlining best practices, areas of improvement, and opportunities to improve the user experience of your product or platform

A group of people sitting around a table in an office.

Depending on your needs, the Design Critique may focus on:

  • Customer and User Experience

  • Interaction Design

  • Value Proposition

  • Service Design

  • Customer Journey

  • Product Accessibility

  • Accessibility and Inclusion

Who should apply?

Are you struggling to understand best practices for usability and user experience of your offering?

Do you wish you had access to skilled designers who have helped the likes of Philips, Deloitte, Sapient, Nike, RBC, and others?

Do you have an existing product or platform already in market?

INVESTMENT
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The Design Critique offers approximately 30 hours of work from an expert consultant. The expectation is that companies invest 6-8 hours throughout the process.

 

For IRAP clients, this cost is covered by IRAP.  Accepted applicants will only be required to cover a $500 admin fee.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must meet the following criteria to be considered for this service:

  • Minimum of one full-time employee receiving a T4,

  • Less than 500 employees,

  • The firm is operating in Canada and has a CRA Business Number,

  • The firm has demonstrated a desire to grow and generate profits,

  • The firm meets IRAP program eligibility criteria.

Interested?

The Design Critique Program has limited capacity. All interested companies must submit an application in order to be considered for participation.

Still have questions? Contact us.

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