I know something about you.
I see you’re skeptical.
Well let’s cut to the chase.
Do you want to know what I know?
You’re not perfect.
And in that light, I would like to offer you some advice. No, I’m not perfect either, but it’s something I’ve learned along the way!
Working Towards Perfection
Asking for critiques is a great way to improve your skills and design sense. It is particularly important if you have been working on a project for a long time. It’s just like having someone else proofread your essay or proposal before turning it in or sending it off. Often, others see mistakes or can suggest improvements that you couldn’t see because you were so caught up in just getting it done!
Get Over Yourself
It is important for graphic designers to distance themselves from their designs. We are not artists. We do not create for personal expression. Don’t feel insulted when someone offers you an honest assessment. Most likely the person is not saying, “You’re a horrible person. What the heck were you thinking when you did this??” Take a step back and hear what they are saying. They are talking about your design, not you as a person.
Don’t take offense if someone says something negative about your design. One of two things is happening; either the person is offering a genuine judgment that you will learn and grow from, or they are jealous and they want to make you feel bad. Especially if it is the former, but even if it is the latter, you need to listen for those golden nuggets that will take your design to the next level.
Take It with a Grain of Salt
Evaluate critiques honestly and compare them to your intended goals and the reactions you wanted from your audience. Of course, it’s important to not put too much stock in the opinions of one person. If you really do think the critique was bogus, then toss it out. But if you hear the same thing from multiple people, it is a sure sign something needs to change in the design!
It’s in your best interest to listen when someone offers a critique of your design. Listening to other’s opinions and impressions will help you become better.
How Have Critiques Made You Better?
What was your first critique like? Did you feel depressed? Did you feel inspired to push yourself further next time? Did you learn some valuable lessons about graphic design and being a graphic designer? What were those lessons?
Technorati Tags: Design, Graphic Design, Critique
I think it’s very important not to take criticism personally. It’s different if someone says you smell, or you’re too fat or too thin—that’s personal; however, as you rightly state Graphic Design is not a completely free expression of one’s own artistic abilities. We have briefs, some more restrictive than others.
The pinch of salt is also important. Not every critic is objective (not every apologist too), so different measures of salt are required; sometimes a pinch, sometimes a bucket-full.
I also think that we shouldn’t be over-influenced by critics (unless the critic is the client, and even then we need sometimes to stand our ground).
And finally, asking for objective criticism is probably the best way to improve one’s design. I have a non-designer friend who is very good at this. If it’s terrible, she’ll tell me so, and though she can’t always explain why, when I send back “tweaked versions” she let’s me know whether or not it’s an improvement.
That reminds me, it’s often good to have the opinion of a non-designer, not for the finer points, like should I use Le Monde Condensed for my headings, but for the overall impression one’s design makes and for layout—that kind of thing.
If I’ve learnt any lesson, it’s that whatever you design, it will NEVER appeal to everyone, so don’t worry about it too much. Second, clients are paying you their hard-earned cash, so they have a right to criticise. I rarely think of my design as MY design—I’m simply “designing” my clients’ ideas. In practice that’s not wholly true, but that mindset—that distancing oneself from one’s own work, as you mention—helps me.
ps: I was thinking you hadn’t posted for a while because you weren’t showing up in my feed reader, but then, to my horror, I realised that I wasn’t subscribed! Well, now I’m well and truly subscribed, so I shall be here more often.
You must be in a funny mood tonight, John. You made me laugh with “sometimes a pinch sometimes a bucket” and it’s so true. I’m glad you mentioned getting a non-designer’s input. I forgot about that, but I too ask them, especially from a usability standpoint (not just for interactive media either).
I whole-heartedly agree that a certain design won’t appeal to every taste, but is there anything, design or otherwise, that is any different? And yes, in practice that distance is sometimes less than it should be and we can get very attached to our work, but then we must be prepare to be hurt/offended, unfortunately.
I’m so glad you’ll be coming around more often, John! I do very much value your opinions and I love when you share your experiences like you just did.
Great point from John about getting a non-designers’ opinion.
I try to set my critiques out using the trusty praise sandwich (praise, critique, praise). I find that people are, in general, more open to constructive criticism when you start your critique by focusing on a positive. This gets them listening to what you have to say more intently (everyone loves praise, and it won’t instantly put up a barrier between you).
You’ve given me an idea for a blog post, talking about the praise sandwich. I knew I could count on you for some inspiration!
I love it when people give me constructive criticism. More often than not they’ll open my eyes to something I wouldn’t have seen otherwise.
Now and again you need a thick skin, but my time selling advertising on the telephone gave me one of those.
“They’ll open my eyes to something I wouldn’t have seen otherwise”
I agree, David! I like constructive criticism, too. It makes me a better designer, and that’s always a good thing! I’m looking forward to that praise sandwich article. I think that goes for any situation, too, not just for design critiques, but any time you have something to say that could be perceived as negative.
I don’t mind criticism if someone can say why something doesn’t look right, but I need that why so I can put it right. I also think the way you take criticism depends on who is doing the criticising and how much you respect them and their eye for design.
One thing which is quite strange about design too is that it is much easier to see mistakes and bad design decisions in someone else’s work that your own as you are more distant to it - you see with fresh eyes.
This is so true! Which is a shame really, because I’ve seen people really take it bad when people offer constructive criticism.
Tara, I totally agree. I need to know the why part too, because how else can I improve it if all someone says is “it just doesn’t look right”?
What you said and David agreed with is right on, too. And always have those fresh eyes proofread your copy, too!