Building a Creative Community for Constructive Feedback
Do you ever feel like you’re just searching for the people who just get you? After all, a lot of creatives tend to be introverted, or if you’re like me, an introverted extrovert.
If you were the art kid at school, maybe you felt like you didn't fit in with your peers. But then you grew up and found your utopia – art school – and alas, found those people you were searching for, who think like you do and understand what you are going through. There is power in knowing you are not alone and being able to have deep conversations for hours about everything from Photoshop hacks or project ideas. Even more than power, a level of comfortability.
But I digress…
Being a RISD alumni, I don’t just consider myself a graduate of a top design school – I’m also a lifelong member of the immersive creative association it fostered. My college experience taught me so many things about the importance of community. Not only did it help me in building my skills while I was in school; but it also taught me how important the network of relationships that I built would be a key factor in continuing to thrive long past graduation. I wholeheartedly attribute a portion of my success to learning how to critique my peers as well as receive and digest constructive feedback. In fact, it’s something I’ve come to admire in the design world – the ability to work together and learn from each other. Unfortunately, more often than not, creatives feel afraid to share their work imagining that it will either be stolen or torn to shreds.
This is why I want to focus on building community over competition! And more even more importantly, share why critiques are actually an integral part of growing as an artist and cultivating a successful creative career. As someone who has worked in this industry for 20+ years and seen it all, I can without a doubt tell you that navigating the twists and turns of this industry is so much easier and rewarding with a like-minded, supportive community there to provide guidance, share resources, and cheer you on as needed.
They say it takes a village to raise a child; I think that it also takes a supportive village to help in facilitating a successful and fulfilling career. Let's look at some ways of finding your village and bringing you another step closer to the thriving career of your dreams.
Creating a safe space for creativity
Starting a community of creatives can be a beacon for those navigating the complexities of the design world. The initial step involves identifying a meeting location or platform that facilitates easy interaction and consistent engagement – online options like Discord or Slack are popular for their ease of use and accessibility. Once established, the key to nurturing this community is really consistency… holding regular meetings and ensuring that all members feel valued and heard, creating a foundation of trust and mutual respect.
The dynamics of a creative community though, hinge on the members' willingness to share knowledge and experiences. It’s crucial to set clear expectations about the goals of the group and the nature of the feedback to be exchanged. Encouraging openness and honesty helps in building a safe space where members can express their creative challenges and achievements without fear of undue criticism, fostering a culture of positive reinforcement and collective improvement.
Starting a community isn’t for everyone but engaging in one should quite honestly be a prerequisite to working in this business! So if starting one seems daunting, find one that’s already out there. Between online or in-person courses and local or virtual meet-up groups or memberships, there is something for everyone.
I’ve spent the past few years of my career being a part of the Minted community, participating in their design challenges and attending Camp Minted – a convention of sorts for their community to get together and share skills and advice in navigating creative careers.
In fact, I’ve spent so much time in so many different communities sharing industry insights and feedback that I thought maybe it would just be easier if I started a group of my own…Spoiler alert: My Pattern Chatter Facebook community is open and I would love to have you join!
Mastering the art of constructive criticism
Beneficial feedback is an art that requires a balance between criticism and thoughtfulness. In a community setting, it is vital that critiques be delivered in a manner that is encouraging yet honest, helping designers refine their work without diminishing their creative spirit. Members should be encouraged to provide specific, actionable advice rather than vague, personal comments.
A couple of surefire ways I’ve found that work great are…
🥪 💙 The Compliment Sandwich 💙 🥪
It works like this. First, you start with a positive, something you like. For example, maybe the floral wallpaper your fellow designer shared with you has a killer color scheme. Lead with that! Then, add in thoughts for improvement. For example, maybe the size of each element is too small to see the beautiful detail work they did. Let them know! And finally, close with something positive, like complimenting the overall vibe and direction that the design is going in.
🚫Say NO to personal opinions ⛔️
Sometimes a fellow creative will share something they’ve designed that’s just not your jam. And that’s ok if you just aren’t feeling it for personal reasons! However, always keep your personal opinions out of the equation if you happen to not be a fan of the style. Instead, look at it through a professional lens and from the viewpoint of their ideal customer. Share insight based on the merit of how the work will resonate with the right audience. Most importantly, don’t lose sight of the artist’s mission behind the piece.
Learning to receive criticism with grace, knowing you don’t have to implement every single directive, is equally important. While educating community members to view feedback as a ladder to achieve greater heights, it’s also important to know when to censor certain opinions. Occasionally, Take a step back when getting advice to digest and evaluate the feedback.
🤔Will it improve the piece? Learning to edit out unnecessary comments or ones that might derail your vision or intention for a project is just as important as learning to self-edit our own work. But don’t discard those comments either – save them for a rainy day when they may inspire something in your next project.
Reaping the rewards of community engagement
The benefits of a feedback-rich community are seriously one of the best gifts of being in the creative industry. Designers frequently discover that peer insights can move the needle forward on stalled projects and inspire new creative ventures. They can even lead to collaborations that might not have been possible when working as a solo artist. These interactions can open doors to new markets or mediums, enriching your professional palette as a designer.
But beyond just professional growth, these communities combat the isolation often felt in creative fields (hello Covid!) providing a network of support that bolsters resilience across the board. Being part of a supportive community not only improves your design skills but can also enhance your communication and general sense of well-being, which, will help you in the competitive landscape of the design field.
The critiques I’ve been involved in have garnered me several awards – nominated by other people in the community for the feedback I provided, including being awarded the 2023 Critique Award at Camp Minted last year by my peers. Now, I’m not one to toot my own horn, but many of the suggestions I’ve made that were implemented ended up getting editors’ picks or even placing in the top 10! Contributing to the many Facebook groups I belong to and frequently answering questions to help where I can, has been such a game changer in both my career and those of my peers and it’s why I’m so excited to be hosting my very own Facebook community Pattern Chatter. I really hope you check it out!