I have been giving some thought to how best to critique turnings - both here on the forum and in person. Here are a few thoughts for discussion...
I think there is a need for anyone delivering a critique to do so sensitively so the maker isn't discouraged from having another go or from participating in future critiques. This doesn't mean you can't make negative statements but when doing so, perhaps put yourself in the shoes of the maker and ask yourself how you would feel if you were on the receiving end of the same statement and whether the same information can be conveyed in a more positive way.
I think it's also worth bearing in mind the circumstances around the creation of a piece - was it experimental? what was the maker's skill level? What else would influence how you critiqued the piece?
If we're honest, we can all benefit from hearing the thoughts of other makers and for self development, a critique may point out areas where further improvements could be made so I think we should be encourage forum users, club members etc. to ask for feedback. How can we best go about this?
The main areas I would consider are choice of wood / materials, shape, tooling, interaction of elements within the piece, finish and possibly function. Can you suggest other areas to look at?