Turning negatives into positives
If you have ever studied design at College or University, then you will have experienced a design critique. Back when I was studying, we had a few formal critiques per semester, and informal critiques every week between our peers and our design lecturers. These critiques played an important role in the ongoing development of our design projects.
Typically, a critique would involve us walking over to the wall and sticking up a printout (or sketch) of a logo or poster. Then we would step back, and the class would take turns to comment on the work and our lecturer would contribute to the discussion too. It was quite a difficult thing for me to get comfortable with at first because people are basically standing around passing comment on your work, which you may have poured your soul into for a few weeks. Once you get it though, the experience is ultimately a really positive one.
When you are in such a thriving close knit design group it is easy to get immediate feedback on your work. But when you are out of that environment and floating about in the real world for a while you can very easily fall into the trap of working in isolation. I’m not necessarily talking about working on your own – you coud be working in a busy team and still technically be working in design isolation (in my opinion).
What I mean by design isolation is you may not be actively seeking feedback on your work from your design peers. Seeking feedback from a Sales Manager is not the same as seeking feedback from another designer.
Regardless of how skilled and experienced you may be, you can always benefit from getting constructive feedback from other skilled designers.
You may see where I’m going with this now – dribbble. I have been using dribbble lately to get some feedback on logos, and it has always helped me better my work. However, you don’t necessarily need to be using something like dribbble to get feedback, even just asking a few people on twitter or other designers you know to take a peak at something for you can be helpful.
Even if you can’t disclose your work to anyone else due to privacy issues, then you could still work on little fun projects to keep your skills fresh and seek feedback on that work to continue to better yourself.
Recently I was getting feedback on a logo from Graham Smith, and Catherine Azzarello. And when you have the privilege of getting a critique from designers with 25+ years of experience… be smart, and listen. This feedback is the most valuable you can receive. Graham enjoys sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience, and he has just launched The Logo Clinic for designers to submit their logos to him for feedback and advice.
A few of the other designers I regularly receive feedback from are Chris Johnson, Guido Schetters, and Pete Lacey. And my network of designers is continually growing.
Do you value constructive criticism and actively seek feedback on your work?
Related articles:
- Trust thy Designer
- One client, one logo.
- Do you really need a degree to work as a Designer?
- Misconceptions about Web Designers
- Web Designers who can’t code anything?
Awww…Thanks, Mark!
Thanks for the mention there Mark
There is nothing more valuable that valid critique from design peers and people you respect.
Many years ago I used to be troubled by some design critique sessions as often lots of people from other departments would get involved, but not on their own accord. It came down to the fact that when we went around the room asking for critique, the people that didn’t want to be there (or shouldn’t be there) felt like they had to chip in something in order to not look stupid. So out came really random personal comments that didn’t really add to the design, and had no real basis other than personal opinion (should that be green? I don’t like that button. It should ‘pop’ more. The logo needs to be bigger).
In more recent years I’ve only endured critique sessions with other designers, and it’s been a damn site more effective. They’ve been people I respect. Not only can they give a valid reason behind why it should be green (for example), but if I don’t agree with them I can backup my case. Whatever happens, the design that comes out that room is improved on.
Sites like dribbble work really world because if you ask for feedback, you generally get it. It’s not from randoms either, its from some of the webs best designers. Essentially by getting feedback on dribbble you’re extending your design team out to include some more professionals, which can only end in good results. Also site’s like Graham Smith’s ‘The Logo Clinic’ really highlight how to give some great professional criticism, and will act as a knowledge base for future years for many designers.
No problem, Catherine!
And Pete, you are absolutely right, it is quite painful getting non-designers to comment on your work because even if you disagree with what they say it is almost impossible to prove your point because they just don’t get it. This is partly what made me want to write something about this. It’s about getting the right type of feedback.
You will also find that good designers know how to effectively delivery feedback in a way that doesn’t sound offensive – it’s a skill that designers develop (some faster than others).
Hi Mark. All good stuff, but be careful not to mistake the comments you get on dribbble with the context-aware critique you could get from people closer to the project.
This article from Jared Spool http://www.uie.com/articles/critique/ makes for good further reading too.