Critique Groups
The worst feeling in the world is to pour your hard work and creativity into a project only to have it ignored completely by the Scratch community. The problem is not that the Scratch community doesn’t care. In fact this is one of the most vibrant and positive communities I’ve seen online. The problem is that we are all overwhelmed with the number of new projects.
Joining a small critique group (5-7 members) will give you valuable feedback on your projects. Members of your group can highlight what is great about your project and suggest ways to improve it. In addition, the act of critiquing other peoples work can be one of the most powerful ways to punch your own skills to the next level.
If you are new to Scratch, look through the list of open groups below.
1. Find a group that feels like a good fit and is currently accepting members.
2. Bookmark the gallery.
3. Introduce yourself with comment to the group's gallery.
3. Offer a critique of at least one project. Read the Critique Guidelines and learn from these helpful examples
If you are extremely committed to the Scratch community, you might want to start your own critique group. First, set up a gallery to host your group. I suggest posting an introduction project like this example. Then post a description of your group in this forum. Explain how big you want your group to be, the initial focus/genre of the group, the minimum skills a new member should have, and the expectations of group members. For example, how often are members allowed to submit projects for feedback? Do all members have to respond to every submission? Or do you want to establish a ratio of 3 meaningful comments for every project submitted for feedback? How do you define meaningful comments?
There are many ways to structure a successful critique group. They key is to be flexible and supportive of your members. A good group will evolve its own system over time. To learn more about how to build your group, take a look at the Group Leaders Discussion.
(To add members to your group use the menu on the right side of your gallery page click on the button: change who can add projects. )
List of Critique Groups
(NEW!) New Scratchers hosted by thelasthorizon
Publishing Periodicals hosted by Lanie
Racers and Scrollers Hosted by joeisawesome
Ultimate Feedback hosted by joeyman
focussed on feedback hosted by Colkadome
Scratcher's hosted by Dan01
Animation Group hosted by ashbyr1
Tutorial Critique Group hosted by joeyman
(OPEN!!!) Challenge Group hosted by bigB
Beginning Game Design hosted by Bluestribute
The Group for Everyone hosted by soccerisawsome
Great Games Guild hosted by Daniel_Krasnove
spread the word with this sig tag:
Join a Critique Group for feedback on your projects.
Join a [url=http://scratch.mit.edu/forums/viewtopic.php?id=7317]Critique Group[/url] for feedback on your projects.
Last edited by ashbyr1 (2008-08-23 20:16:28)
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This is a pretty cool idea. Have you already made one? Or should I go ahead and make one?

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I'm in the process of posting a group for beginners who want to start with animation/story telling rather than games. You should start a group too. You are exactly the kind of member who could build a strong group. This idea is based on the Forward Motion website that hosts critique groups for writers: http://www.fmwriters.com/
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ashbyr1 wrote:
I'm in the process of posting a group for beginners who want to start with animation/story telling rather than games. You should start a group too. You are exactly the kind of member who could build a strong group. This idea is based on the Forward Motion website that hosts critique groups for writers: http://www.fmwriters.com/
I got a book published in 5th grade! But alright, I will make one and post the link here.

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http://scratch.mit.edu/galleries/view/23844 Alright, it's for beginning game making

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Bluestribute, shouldnt you start one for people of your own level. i think your well past being a beginners.
I like the idea though ashbyr1.
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bigB wrote:
Bluestribute, shouldnt you start one for people of your own level. i think your well past being a beginners.
I like the idea though ashbyr1.
I feel I can help more if it's for beginners. I mean, they learn a lot more when you have someone experienced helping and giving feedback

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CRITTERS CAFE
The Critters Cafe is a new critique group for Scratchers who want to focus on animation and story telling. You might enjoy this group if you enjoy drawing, theatre, or creative writing. The initial project will be to develop a high impact 30 sec. PSA (public service announcement) on a topic of your choice.
This group is open to absolute beginners as well as advanced Scratchers with a knack for tutoring.
In order to focus on quality over quantity, you may only submit two projects per week for feedback. Members are expected to make meaningful comments on all projects posted. To keep this manageable, the group will initially be limited to 5 members.
If you are interested in joining the Critters Cafe, please introduce yourself in a response to this thread. Choose a topic for your first PSA (examples: http://www.adcouncil.org/ ) Then tell us about your experience with Scratch, animation, drawing, theatre, etc. Feel free to share links to your work.
Please be patient, I might not send invitations until early next week.
Best,
Rick
Last edited by ashbyr1 (2008-07-15 09:19:45)
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I have 0 members :'(

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I'm still waiting for members too.
Maybe Adding a link to this thread on your sig tag would help more people find out about the groups. Also, I'm going to start giving a few supportive, detailed critiques as comments so that people can get a sense of how useful they are.
Last edited by ashbyr1 (2008-07-15 09:18:01)
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This is a great idea! I have also been thinking about the problem of projects that never get the attention they deserve. I agree with you that what is needed is smaller groups of people with common interests to review each other's work. I would like to see something built into the web site sort of like the Facebook Networks but until that happens, this is a great approach. I hope this idea catches on.
I would also suggest that when you join a Critique Group that you Subscribe to all the other members of the group so that you are automatically notified by RSS feed when they post new projects.
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Ive set up a critique group for scratchers who love a challenge. Its called Challenge Community and at the moment anyone is free to join but it is really aimed at those with a bit of experience.
There are currently no members so if you want to join go here http://scratch.mit.edu/galleries/view/23951 and leave a message.
As well as making comments on each other projects we may set each other challenges to improve our skills.
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The Critters Cafe is currently open to any members interested in animation. If we end up with more than seven I'll split the group so that everyone has a chance to get feedback.
To introduce yourself, post an animation of your favorite knock-knock joke.
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Here are some suggestions for critique groups if other people want to set one up, mine is going well so far.
An AI based group where people can show projects with AI and discuss how to make them cleverer.
A Scrolling group. There are always people on the forums wanting to make scrolling games. A gallery where people can discuss and learn how to make scrolling games may be popular.
An art critique gallery.
A beginners gallery.
An experts gallery.
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If people want to leave a message here telling us what kind of project they'd like to work on next, I'd be glad to spend some time organizing groups (even though I wouldn't be able to participate in most of them).
Also, if you'd be willing to host the group let me know. Once we get several groups running, it would probably be a good idea create a discussion forum for group leaders to discuss how to improve their groups.
Last edited by ashbyr1 (2008-07-15 09:17:17)
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Lanie wrote:
I can do an Art Critique gallery, mainly working on stages, not people
Lanie,
That'd be great. I found that opening the gallery with a description and a few examples helped get people to start joining. You might also consider linking to this thread and your critique group in your sig tag.
Speaking of sig tags, if you are artistically inclined, I wonder if you might be willing to create 2 simple graphics. One for Critique group leaders, and one form Critique group members to add to their signatures.
Eventually, it'd be great if each group could develop its own badge.
Last edited by ashbyr1 (2008-07-15 09:16:42)
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Great idea everyone - critiquing is a great opportunity to receive feedback from your peers to help you evaluate your projects.
It is often very difficult for people to give constructive feedback. Critiques (often referred to in the art world as "Crits") should be a learning opportunity, not an exercise in humiliation. Rather than saying: "I like this" or "I dislike that", the most helpful critiques offer objective feedback to help the creator get new ideas and energy for improving their project.
For the creator, it is helpful to explain some things up front when you are asking for a critique:
--What is your project about?
--What are you trying to achieve?
--Why is is worth achieving?
--How are you attempting to achieve this?
For those of you offering to critique others projects, here are some types of questions to answer in a critique:
--Why did this project catch your eye? What is the first thing you see/notice?
--How do you connect to this project?
--What stands out about this project the most?
--What makes this project different or similar to others?
--Why did you love this project?
--What impression does this project leave you with?
--Does the style of this project distract from the purpose/concept?
--What message does this project send?
--Is there an emotional story attached to this project? How does that make you feel?
--What is the creator trying to communicate with this project?
--Does the creator do a god job of achieving what they say they want to achieve?
These questions should help you think about others projects in a way that will help you give constructive feedback without hurting anyone's feelings. Hopefully everyone will keep in mind that the Scratch Community is a place where respect for others and their work is a top priority.
I look forward to seeing the projects presented in these critique galleries and look forward to participating in a dialog with everyone!
Crit-on!
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ashbyr1 wrote:
Lanie wrote:
I can do an Art Critique gallery, mainly working on stages, not people
Lanie,
That'd be great. I found that opening the gallery with a description and a few examples helped get people to start joining. You might also consider linking to this thread and your critique group in your sig tag.
Speaking of sig tags, if you are artistically inclined, I wonder if you might be willing to create 2 simple graphics. One for Critique group leaders, and one form Critique group members to add to their signatures.
Eventually, it'd be great if each group could develop its own badge.
I can make badges for members and Leaders, i will put it on my website and send you the link and i will make the gallery
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joeyman wrote:
http://scratch.mit.edu/galleries/view/24147 I made a Tutorial Critique Group
Excellent. Count me in. Right now I can't add projects.
Last edited by ashbyr1 (2008-07-15 09:54:34)
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Critique Groups
Animation Group hosted by ashbyr1
Tutorial Critique Group hosted by joeyman
Graphics Designs hosted by Lanie
Challenge Group hosted by bigB
Beginning Game Design Hosted by Bluestribute
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Challenge Community is growing too quickly at the moment but is popular so a similar one may go down well and mean that there is room for everyone.
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ashbyr1 wrote:
joeyman wrote:
http://scratch.mit.edu/galleries/view/24147 I made a Tutorial Critique Group
Excellent. Count me in. Right now I can't add projects.
You can join, do you want me to add you to the people who can add?
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