How do you deal with taking criticism as a creative?
Taking criticism is something I’ve always struggled with but I’m learning to let go of my ego always thinking I’m right.
I’ve come to realise that receiving criticism from friends, family, peers, mentors etc is just part of the creative process and a natural part of the journey. It’s best to accept that and deal with it logically rather than emotionally.
Are there any particular methods you use or thought processes you have in order to take criticism without hurting your self-esteem?
I’m curious to hear your opinions on the topic!
Replies31
- @Guya Maggi Thank you for your reply Guya! I love how you mentioned not to identify with your creations. I’ll definitely take your advice into account :)
- Hi Sima, I think it feels always a bit "sour" to receive negative feedback.What helps me is not to take it personally: my work is not me as a person, so I try to see that as something I made, not something I am. Secondly, always pay attention who is giving you this criticism. Is it someone with many years of experience, who can actually say things bluntly but makes fair observations? Is it someone instead who doens't have experience at all and lets his/her/theirs personal taste speak? Keep in mind these things, I am sure with time it will improve :)
- @Anna Negrini I agree! I think receiving criticism is something we can improve with time and practice.It reassures me to know that our difficulty accepting negative feedback is a shared experience between all creatives and something that we all deal with along the way to creating great work.Anna I appreciate your opinion, thank you!
- @Vikki Ross That’s true, after creating an emotional connection to our work it’s hard to let go of the idea that our beliefs about it aren’t necessarily right or wrong!Like you say, creative work will always be a subjective thing.I’ll do my best to remember my initial purpose with all my work. Thank you for your advice, Vikki!
- @Matt Percival Wonderful advice and very clearly explained. I appreciate all the insights and will absolutely put them into practice.Of the tips, setting up expectations is one thing I believe I overlook and hadn’t properly considered.Thank you Matt, you’re a great help!
- @Peter Jackson Personally, I believe it’s an important question for various reasons.First of all, I think taking criticism is part of learning to be true to oneself regardless of others’ opinions. And especially as a creative I think it is part of growing and staying true to our own expression.At the same time, I think listening wholeheartedly to another person’s perspective is a valuable skill. I don't believe there is right or wrong, most things are subjective.I think your comment about delaying a response is very wise. It’s very easy to shoot off an emotional reaction, sometimes it’s better to sleep on it.I appreciate your insight, thank you Peter!
- @ɐɹoᗡ ɐuu∀ ˥ You’re right, as you say no one can be right or wrong. It’s all a matter of opinion. Thank you for your advice Anna!
- I think as a creative it will be always a bit tough to receive negative feedbacks, but with the time it will be easier to think of them as just a work related thing that can open a discussion with the other person and that doesn't affect yourself as a professional or a human being.One method I use is to take some time to process it before starting the conversation so my ego is out :)Also having heard great designers talking about that time that a client refused their work it's been an eye opener: it happens to all of us and it's part of the process of doing great work and progress in our profession.I'm talking about constructive criticism here: when people are rude or not respectful I move on.
- @Gail Hart I like how you set boundaries based on whose opinion you will take. I think that is something I should work on.Thank you for your insight, Gail!
- @Hugh Wooldridge Incredibly important reminder!It’s true that sometimes whilst being criticized I forget the purpose and intentions of my work. As you say it is important to listen to our audience wholeheartedly even when we don’t like what they say.I’ll remember your advice, thank you Hugh! x
- @Ali Can Elagöz Very true words, setting boundaries is essential in order to prevent unhelpful criticism from hindering our creative process. Definitely something I forget to do sometimes!I appreciate the advice and reminder, thank you Ali!
- @Scott MorrisonHi Scott, interesting method! I like how the impact conversation is centered around lifting you up and progressing your growth.I will definitely consider using the questions you mentioned, perhaps even on myself every now and then!Thank you for the advice! Stay Boom to you too.
- Oh it's so hard being a creative and being criticised! Our work can feel personal and as a result, we feel emotional about it. If we were doing something to a formula, criticism would be based on fact but people's opnions of our work are often more subjective than objective so take their thoughts into account but also remember what was in your gut - what inspired you. And check that it connects back to the brief and answers the problem. If you've got all that nailed, it's the perfect discussion point for anyone who criticises you. Hope that helps.
- Hi SimaTrick 1: Never let feedback hurt your self-esteem, fill you with self-doubt, or anger for that matter. Nobody shares your creative mindset and ability, so you and your work are taking people to places they never expected – at least, that's what you hope!Trick 2: Don't blame other people, it's your opportunity to learn. Always listen and empathise. Remember people aren't used to articulating creative ideas, so they just aren't good at it. Discuss the what it is someone is objecting to, understand why they're objecting or failing to understand it, so you see your work from their point of view and they can understand more clearly what you were trying to achieve, without you being defensive. When you do, you'll often find yourself agreeing with them and be motivated to improve on your work.Trick 3: Set up expectations before you present. Don't just share work expecting people to 'get it' or be wowed. By explaining context and rationale, and agreeing to that first, they'll already be more receptive to what you're about to show them and certainly understand it better. And if you don't agree on the rationale, well, you'll know what you're about to share won't be right, it's best to stop there and re-interrogate the brief again.Of the three, setting up expectations before you present is the most valuable trick you can learn. It forces you to demonstrate you've understood the brief, have understood their needs and their customer's motivations, and you can articulate the processes that got you to the creative solution – it makes you a better creative. After all, if you can't convince yourself, you won't convince them.And it is feedback, not criticism. Nobody means you emotional harm. Put friends and family aside and focus on clients or customers for now. The former may feel freer to make a comment as to whether they like your work or not, just because they know you. The latter are paying for it, so if one way or another they're not seeing what they expected, they need to tell you that – they may be frustrated, but very few people understand the emotional commitment of being creative, all they want is to get the best out of you, not defeat you.Hope that helps!
- Why do you think this is a good question?(Just testing).How did that statement make you feel?Think about why you might have responded that way.Was your first feeling more of a reaction?Allow yourself time to process it……delay may be the best approach.Your question is very good by the way.
- Hi Sima,I would say if it's about the work try to step back and change perspective. It shouldn't be like that you do something and the clients critisize and that's it/ It always should be a discussion, so it rather like the start of a discussion where no one is right or wrong 100%, that's the reality in most of cases.
- Personally, if it is for a client then theirs is the only opinion I seek. If it is for something non-client related then I identify the person who has more experience and success than me in what I would like an opinion about. I stopped asking friends and family for opinions on my creative endeavours years ago - was a great decision for me :)
- Truthfully? Very badly.We spend months and years preparing a project - large or small - and then someone (who may even have cadged a free ticket) feels they have the right to knock our work. Something a team of talented and experienced practitioners may have spent an age training for and creating.BUT...We should never forget why we do what we do. We create our work for other people to enjoy, admire, be moved by, to be enrichened by. And therefore we must listen to their comments.And, guess what, they may be right.So...I hate uninformed criticsm, but I always listen. Usually with a rictus grin.And then I go away and mull. And if my critic is right, I wil quietly make the change. And if the work is improved, I and the team will take the credit... whilst quietly hoping to be more graceful next time....Good hunting! x
- Hi @Sima M ZadehIf I have just started and the design/creative element has not yet reached the point I want; I do not accept criticism. Because comments made on something that has not yet become ready for comments can take me further away from the point I want.When it gets to the point I want, I categorically accept criticism. It doesn't make much sense for someone unrelated to the creative industry to comment on a work made with current trends. But I always consider it a blessing for any creative to comment on my work, regardless of experience.Also, great question!
- Hi SimaYes - it’s the good old ego tricking you into believing that feedback is always criticism.Try this reframe.I’ve learned to look at all feedback as ‘impact conversations’. In other words, they serve to make me more impactful at what I do. And, as my aim is always to be more impactful, anything that blocks that needs to be shared, spelled out and actioned.To make this effective, switch the conversation.Make sure whoever is going to have an impactful conversation with you gets your permission first.Then, I focus on 4 questions.How did it go overall?What went really well?What would you do differently?What action are you going to take to create more impact?Make sure you speak first in answering the questions rather than the person offering ‘feedback’ and go through them one by one with real discipline - you speaking first, then speaking second.Try it and see the impact it creates for you. I’ve found it really powerful in my work and in how I work with coachees.Stay Boom!S
- Great question @Sima M Zadeh, I've just sent you a DM
- @Katherine Luna Gate Very well put! That’s true, I think sometimes it’s easy to overlook the fact that we have better discernment than we realise.I’ll look out for those clues you mentioned and work on trusting myself. Thank you for your advice, Katherine!
- Great insights. I may add that You might prefer asking for feedback those You trust and possibly know You already. Trust Your guts that the person who is offering criticism actually does it in a positive way, as opposed to being patronising. Are they humble? Are they knowledgeable in the subject matter? Or are they just improvising? Are they offering a constructive perspective? Or a destructive one? Listen, with both Your ears and Your heart. Then discern, and take what applies to Your growth the most.
- @Michelangelo Torres Indeed that is a possibility 😂You’re right, I think what you say is so important to prevent taking criticism personally.I’m gonna work on filtering the useful from the not useful, thank you for sharing your opinion!
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