In the dog-eat-dog world of design, you must quickly develop a thick skin in order to continue fighting the good visual communication fight. Think back to the first time you hung a piece of work on the wall in school during a group critique. After pouring your heart and soul into developing and executing your concept, did the group’s comments come flying at you as though you were facing a firing squad?
The process of creating visual communications is an extremely personal one. We’re as passionate about our art as every artist is about his or her work. Of course, there is personal risk involved when exposing the fragile, creative underbelly that is normally protected by that tough, thick skin. I respect you for laying your creativity on the line knowing you might return from creative battle with some scars and emotional wounds.
Employ a few attack strategies to cushion the blow of those hard-hitting comments:
How about adding some sugar with your lemons?
If you’re proposing changes, find a balance between what is working and what isn’t and list both positives and negatives. Hurting someone’s feelings does not accomplish anything, except creating a tense, nonproductive environment.
Do not take the comments personally.
The group's job during a critique is to identify areas you might want to consider revising to ensure your message communicates in the most effective manner. The critique process identifies additional options and establishes vital next action steps in your exploration. I repeat: don’t take what is stated as a personal attack. Yes, sometimes those comments are hard to take, but try separating personal feelings from the communication task at hand. Objectively listen to the feedback and decide which points are valid and need addressing.
Empower yourself. Make your own decisions.
Comments and suggestions will be coming at you from all sides during the critique process. Trust your gut instinct throughout your creative process knowing in the end, when the project is presented to the client or creative director, you’re the one who must defend those decisions.
Play well with others.
I don’t know about you, but I’d choose to work with a mediocre designer who’s a team player over a prima donna designer any day! Who wants to work with someone who is cocky and arrogant? Creativity flourishes in a collaborative environment that motivates and inspires, not in one that is tense and aggressive. I can partner with that “average” designer, work with them on refining their skill sets and be confident clients/other team members will gel with them too.
Cheering works especially when you’re cheering for yourself.
Positive feedback and support from others is encouraging as you refine and evolve your visual voice.
While these external shout outs and kudos are nice to receive, I urge you to place more emphasis on finding this reinforcement from within. Do you feel you’ve done the best job and pushed yourself beyond "just good enough" onto "something you’re proud of”?
OK, the classic Saturday Night Live "Daily Affirmations" skit is over the top but hopefully my point resonates loud and clear! Exposing that fragile, creative underbelly when designing means you’ll encounter moments when your principles are challenged, times when you’re told you’re not good enough, occasions when you’re forced to revaluate what you’re doing or where you’re going. The lesson to be learned here is not about the perils of falling down, but about picking yourself back up and starting again wiser, more determined and focused. Listen to your inner cheerleader, incorporate your own daily affirmations and walk away from the experience having learned something about yourself and your integrity as a designer. Hear me loud and clear on this one: there is value in what you do. Only YOU decide what you’re capable of and what greatness you will achieve. Don’t rely on the external but instead, look to yourself for these answers.
In conclusion
Design truly is a battlefield. Our path on the journey to creating effective visual communication is a treacherous one. Our thick-skinned protective armor cushions some blows received fighting on the front line. Thankfully our passion for design pushes us to repeatedly take personal risks exposing that fragile, creative underbelly we might otherwise keep hidden from the world. The statement “without risk there is no great reward” certainly rings true. That sentiment alone is worth receiving a few creative battle scars for the greater design good, don’t you think?
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