Putting your work for others to see seems like a risk. It may feel like you are putting a target on your back for others to take shots at, but do not worry! Congratulations! You are one of the brave ones that are passionate enough to display their designs for the world to see. It is essential that you keep moving forward in spite of the criticism out there. According to Mark Alvarado, graphic designers should not be hung up on feedback; feedback, whether harsh or not, should motivate a graphic designer to improve self and silence critiques. I wish that I can promise you will never have criticism, but I promise you the opposite- there will always be haters, but successful artists rise above and move forward.
5 Ways to Be Resilient Despite Harsh Feedback
1. Take criticism as a chance to improve on your work
Criticism happens to us all. A graphic designer must evaluate the validity of the criticism and also the intention of the person that is criticizing. Some people criticize in order for the artist to improve his work. This means that the graphic designer should take criticism constructively and should consider improving his work based on the feedback of other people, especially if the feedback is coming from more seasoned graphic design artists. If the criticism seems harsh, it is important to separate what they are conveying with the emotions that they are displaying.
Since graphic design is done using the computer, it is susceptible to criticism that is done from people hiding behind their computer screens. There will be people who criticize because he wants to bring the graphic designer down. This is usually based on the fact that the criticizer has an agenda of his own or has some personal issues that he has not dealt with. When these people give feedback, it is essential to ignore their comments because of their ignorance or hateful agenda. Instead of being mean, it is important to take the “high road” and not retaliate. Let the work speak for itself.
2. Don’t take harsh feedback personally
When feedback is given constructively and not destructively, it is important that we separate our emotions from what needs to be done in order to improve our work. According to Mark Alvarado, when taking feedback, it is important to embody the attitude of a student that is always willing to learn. Instead of showing emotions of anger or depression, ask the person giving feedback questions clarifying his criticism. This step asking the person who is giving feedback shows maturity on the graphic designer’s part, and it gives a chance for someone to impart some new knowledge or perspective on the graphic designer’s work.
3. Do your research about your clients’ personal taste and style
In a professional setting where work is done for a client, the principle still stands- the customer has the right to choose what he likes and what he does not like because he is the one that is paying. Taking things personally complicates a professional relationship because it puts a strain on the relationship between the graphic designer and the client.
It is imperative to research what the client wants. If his concept is hard to grasp, maybe asking him for an example of what he is thinking of. He may have an example in his mind, and doing the research and looking at his example can bring his perspective into view. It is understood that artists must have the ability to not look at things from their own point of view, but also in the point of view of others. Graphic designers must try to coincide his artistic freedom and the perspective of the requester.
4. Always remember how far you’ve gone as a professional
Undoubtedly, when facing criticism, we may feel like we have let some people down. This is okay, but one should not stay in this state of mind. It is important that the graphic designer looks back on his past successes. Thinking back to a time when one conquered an obstacle bolster the morale of the individual. It makes the person think that he can conquer again. A graphic designer should keep a folder or gallery of his past work in order for him to look back at his career with satisfaction. Mark Alvarado claims that when one looks back at his past with a sense of accomplishment, he can look forward to the optimism of overcoming the future.
5. It’s not the end of the world
Not to sound cliche, but life goes on. There will always be more opportunities. Feedback is only a bump in the road. It is important that we keep moving forward because we all experience these bumps. It takes someone special to take these bumps into consideration and improve and not make a U-turn.
Cheer up! Your journey as a graphic designer will experience a lot of feedback, but it will improve your skills in the future.
