Contructive Criticism, how it works.
CnC is Comment and Criticism. Criticism is advice that HELPS you to get better. A lot of people get angry if they read something other than "OH THAT'S SO PRO". Including people I give CnC. But giving people criticism is practically always a good thing.
Please do not give out this article on forums besides Maplemation and MapleTV. I will murder you if you do >:[.
RECEIVING CRITICISM
People don't HAVE to look at your work. They don't need to have an opinion about it. This means that they're doing you a favour when they look at your work. Because honestly, what would you rather have? Someone who takes 5 seconds to look at hours of work and says "OH THAT'S PRO". Or someone who takes his/her time and actually tells you what you can do better. These people are here just to help you. This also means that it's rather rude to tell someone who gives you advice "Fuck off, don't watch it if you don't like it." or "Like you can do it better." The fun part is, you don't have to do something better to give advice. You just need your eyes to say "Oh that's not really pretty."
You are kind of asking for it, aren't you?
When you place your work on the internet, you are practically asking for criticism. There are places on the internet where you can't expect anything else than harsh facts without sugarcoating. Never forget, the Internet is an open place to everyone and when you put your work on it, everyone is able to comment on your work. This can be on Deviantart, YouTube or any other forum.
If you really cannot handle criticism, just place "Please no CnC" in your description. Most of the time, people won't bother with commenting if they read that. Unless they really are haters who want to troll you.
Someone gave you some CnC, now what?
First of, let's fully read it without being distracted too much. Read around the harsh words and try not to feel but hurt. If you really think it's too mean and absolutely irrational, just ignore it. If you don't understand what someone is trying to point out, ask. They will not think that you are being defensive. They will simply give you a clearer explanation. If you really have a troll, don't respond to him and don't get people to respond to him. Don't even thank the people responding to him. Just completely ignore it.
If you really disliked the criticism given, just be polite and place a comment saying thanks. The criticizer is still putting effort in looking at your work, it's worth thanking him even though you disagree with him. DON'T start a fight simply because you feel insulted.
Because YOU are NOT the greatest artist in the world. So you can't be insulted because there is always a valid point in what people say about you having errors in your work.
Finding an excuse for everything someone tells you, is simply immature. You are only fooling yourself with comments like "I was lazy", "I was bored" and "My scanner sucks". We have heard them all. You are deluding yourself if you think anyone will fall for it.
"You create and form, someone who does this has to solve problems, not make them." - Quote from Jeroen, teacher Graphic Design at the MA and freelance Graphic Designer.
Obviously, you don't always understand what a person is trying to tell you. Don't be afraid to ask. The person will most likely help you, considering he already did before. Sometimes people use difficult names and you will simply not follow what they're trying to point out. Ask them to simplify it for you.
Of course, you don't always have to listen to the advice others give you. It IS your work, you can't let them take over everything you have made.
I want to add one last detail to this entire story. Giving the excuse: "This is MY style." is hardly an excuse. Making errors is not part of a style.
GIVING CRITICISM.
Well, let's clear this up for the criticizer. You are not awesome, you are not great, you don't know anything best, you aren't all high and mighty because you have done something longer and YOU ARE NOTHING.
I'm harsh aren't I? Well, of course you are obligated to an opinion. But you have to realize that you are no better than another human being. Equality. If you put down harsh words they will probably be thrown back in your face within a year, because the person you insulted with your harsh words will be better than you are. KARMA.
With this said, let's get this on with.
The difference between constructive and de-motivational criticism.
Examples of constructive criticism:
"This isn't really well done, but by editing _____ it could be better."
"Try putting more pressure in your pencil at that spot."
With criticism like this, people will understand what to do and where they are lacking.
Demotivating criticism is harsh and straight, to the point. I will be honest about it, I'm very harsh myself. But I try to add in compliments if it's possible.
Examples:
"This is god ugly, my eyes burn."
"DIE!! U SHULD DIE 4 MAKING ME SADZ WITH YOUR HORRIFIC SKILZ."
Look, now you can think "everyone does it." But saying things like this doesn't help anyone. You only start fights and unhappy faces.
Always try to support your opinion. In a way people can really make use of it. There are exceptions of course. Sometimes it's just so god ugly that you can't go on anymore without saying that someone totally failed it. Well, you have the words "Practice a bit more" for that. In most cases, it really just is a matter of practice. Only a few artists are born with talent. And even those people have to practice their skills to improve.
Forming your comment.
First step; find an error or dislike something. That shouldn't be too hard should it? Only if you are 100% sure something has to be edited and if you are 100% sure that your solution would work out for it, you should state it. Half assed messages don't work. This doesn't mean you can't make suggestions though.
Start by naming all the errors. After that, look if it's not just your opinion. If you really realize that it's not just your opinion and a serious mistake, start forming your message. (GIVING YOUR OPINION AND GIVING SUGGESTIONS IS ALWAYS A GOOD THING THOUGH). Always support your message with solid proof. Nothing is wrong and nothing is ugly without a reason.
Give as many options to the artist as you can, in how they can change something. Look at the thing your criticizing from different perspectives. From your own and from the artist's. Considering why the artist made certain mistakes or decisions as well. This is also a great tip for the artist. Don't look only at what you like. You are making it for others to look at as well, so try to place yourself in the viewers mind.
When you have formed your comment, check for mistakes. Spelling and grammar mistakes should be taken out as well (I'm such a hypocrite in this). Failed grammar is hard to be taken serious. Check if you weren't too harsh.
Adjusting your level of speech.
"The flow of your tag is totally incorrect. The typography has failed and you can't place your focal there."
What the fuck are these things? Well, I understand them but a majority of us don't. Don't work with hard words. We are stupid artists, we will probably end up without a degree somewhere on the streets drawing people for money when the weather is lovely.
Not everyone understands that a focal's the most important part of your work. Not everyone understands that typography is related to text. Not everyone understands what flow is and what a tag is. Even if these words are so logical to you, NOT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS.
You can't expect someone starts out as one of the most amazing artists in the world. This also means you have to explain certain parts about programs they might be using. Lower your level and point out where they can find certain things.
Know what you are dealing with.
Not everyone works with the most expensive software. Keep that in mind please. Digital work isn't always done with Photoshop. Hell, I've seen people own Photoshop users with freeware. If you don't know HOW to use the program, try not to meddle with how someone did use it. Simply because you can't know what went wrong.
DETAILSDETAILSDETAILSDETAILSDETAILSDETAILS.
WE FUCKING LOVE DETAILS. This could easily summarize the entire page (yeah you just read this for nothing and I wrote this for nothing because I can summarize it with this short ass summary... Lol @ sentence).
Always stay detailed. Never skip something because you're lazy. Explain what's wrong for each pixel. JUST SAY IN DETAIL WHAT'S MISSING.
Never forget.
Start with a compliment. People dig compliments. Even if you don't even mean it. People will know that you appreciate their hard work, disregard the errors. Never write criticism when you're in a bad mood, you will only rage at people who don't deserve it.
A small summary.
What to do and what not to do:
- Don't be picky. You can be annoying at some point.
- Look at the whole image (full view) first. After that, start looking at details.
- PARAGRAPHS. I hate walls of text without breaks between them.
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by i'm retarded on Tue Dec 06, 2011 7:35 pm
