Creativity: Is Criticism good or bad?
Creativity: Is Criticism good or bad?
Negative feedback could be constructive or malicious. Good feedback could be flattery or honest admiration. Being able to differentiate and make this a constructive process for yourself, is dependent on how well you stand your ground as a person. How strong is your confidence, self-awareness, and level of ego?
Being able to listen to criticism good or bad, is a sign that you keep developing as an Artist. But -listening to criticism- and -implying it in your work-, are two different things.
All Artists have been at that place – We polished our Music performance or wrote our new theater Play, or Poem. When our piece is ready we all wonder:
– Can it be better before I present my work?
Questioning can be a very productive process, but also a bottomless pit of stress because the process of `getting better` never stops – a double-edged sword! I choose to see it this way: There is always more depth to reach, and skills can be always better polished, which keeps the process inspiring and fun!
One has to find the golden middle about when `getting better is enough` to go on stage/deliver an Illustration. A deadline usually helps a lot. :)
In the process of development, it helps to get feedback from:
- our trusted mentors ( By the way, great mentors never tell you exactly what to do…)
- renowned Professionals in our field
- friends who are creative too
- random people who do not know your background
- kids! (There is a Greek proverb that says `From kids and eccentrics you will know the truth`)
Not only asking for feedback is important, but being willing to listen as well!
A new creation is like our baby, we could get frustrated quickly when listening to especially negative criticism… Good or bad feedback, remember that it is all criticism, and opinions that are relative to the eye of the observer. This will give you a new perspective(s) on your creation. This is incredibly valuable! Beware that you might receive:
- a new perspective
- constructive critisism
- negative criticism
Once you listened carefully you should learn how to cherrypick. This will only make you grow greater as an Artist! But remember, you are always in charge of your Creation, you decide at the end!