This weeks “Design Rule to Live By”, has to do with taking criticism, constructive or not, and using it in a way to improve and expand our skill set. Criticism is a very large part of the design world. Sometimes is comes in the form of constructive criticism that is offered from a knowledgeable source that is trying to help us perfect, and develop our work. Other times it is coming from negative sources with negative motives. That is why this weeks design rule to live by is very important.
Recognize and work on the details that help you get better at your job…. and then go get better at your job
It can be very easy to get defensive when given feedback/criticism on our work, especially when we allow personal feelings about the source, and their experience, or lack thereof. This is understandable especially because so many of us are passionate about our work so we don’t like others picking and prodding at it.
Here’s the thing… it can’t be avoided. It is up to us to gather ourselves and take a new approach to the criticism we receive (sorry no baseball bats, and mouth gags included). So I have come up with a three step process for dealing with “Input”, “Feedback”, and “Criticism” (three things that are the same, but just come in different packaging.)
1) Receive and welcome it.
Don’t get your torches and pitchforks just yet…. I haven’t lost my mind… Let whomever offer the feedback, listen to them… and thank them for it. This helps pave a smoother path of communication for when you reply to the feedback, and future interaction.
2) Take an objective look at the information.
Ok so you have your feedback, and at first glance you are either thankful for some great advice, or ready introduce your forehead to your desk(in most cases it is actually a re-introduction as we have been here before). So here is the hard part… It is crucial that we take a step back and look at the information provided objectively. Will this really help the project? It may not actually improve the design(at least by our standards) but it help the client accomplish their goals, which is our ultimate goal.
Again the key is to objectively look at the info. If there is a good reason that the feedback shouldn’t be implemented then communicate that in a way that is helpful to the provider.
3) Respond/Act
In the case that the feedback isn’t useful at this point. Communicate clearly and use examples to back up your standpoint, and remember if we educate them in the process we are helping them, and ourselves in the future.
If the feedback is useful then apply where necessary, and welcome further feedback.
I know that I used the term “Useful”. In reality all feedback is useful in one way or another. While it may not be useful to the actual design, learning to communicate, and get experience dealing with clients is very useful experience.
Wrapping up, they key is to find something to value in each situation… some situations will be easy, and some will be tough, just remeber that there is always going to be feedback/criticism, the key is to find the value, sometimes you just have to dig a little deeper.
I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences in dealing with criticism.
Awesome advice, indeed. It may not be the easiest thing to learn, but it is definitely needed to survive in the creative fields! Thanks for this, it’s always needing to be said.
If you do your research and homework before designing, you should have the ammo to justify every design decision that is made. We (designers) are not just making things look pretty. There should be a purpose to every design decision that is made, and as long as the decisions meet the business overall goals of the client you should be good and the criticism should be minimal.
But then there are those clients who just like to hear themselves talk and have issues with everything. In that case – see above. Great post!
Forget about the ammo for a second. As designers we should, at the very least, make the efort to understand and interpret criticism in the correct light. In other words, everyone has their opinion of what makes great design. Some peoples opinion is really not grounded in anything whatsoever, and is just that, their personal opinion. On the other hand there are those opinions which are securely grounded, like those from fellow designers whose work you respect. that should be given a little more ear. Just try to remember the saying that opinions are like as@#%holes, and everyone has one.
Great post, important issue. It’s almost impossible for me not to get (even emotionally) too involved with my projects. It’s vital to learn to accept and respond well to all kinds of criticism. When it comes from fellow designers, it’s easy to welcome. But learning to hear anyone, and to toughtfully analyze their opinion, that’s the most difficult and necessary part in my opinion. Our work is VISUAL, and I believe everyone who can SEE it is capable of criticizing it. We want our projects to be seen by lots of people, and we won’t be next to each of them explaining our pourposes, decisions and theories every time, so we better start hearing how do these projects reach each and everyone’s eyes and feelings. By listening only to “selected” opinion, we’re just limiting our own final audience.
It’s all about working hard. If you are determined, put in the time to learn and work hard, and really believe you can achieve your goals, I think anything is possible.
.-= ´s last blog ..Getting Inside Web Design Dev with Creator Michael Dunlop =-.
@everyone,
thanks for the great feedback gang! awesome stuff. It is all about seeing the bigger picture which is a successful project, and happy client.
Great post. This is advice that many in the design community can benefit from, and not just new Graphic Designers and Digital Artist, but everyone. Its important to have a degree of humility even if you are very emotionally connected to you work, and be able o appreciate the perspective of others, especially if what they are telling you his helpful and will make you a better designer in the end.