“In many ways, the work of a critic is easy. We risk very little yet enjoy a position over those who offer up their work and their selves to our judgement. We thrive on negative criticism, which is fun to write and to read. But the bitter truth we critics must face is that in the grand scheme of things the average piece of junk is probably more meaningful than our criticism designating it so. But there are times when a critic truly risks something and that is in the discovery and defense of the new. The world is often unkind to new talent, new creations, the new needs friends…”
-Ego
Ratatouille! Gotta love Pixar huh? I had the opportunity to watch this film about a month ago and these lines have been stuck in my head ever since…
Click “CONTINUE READING” to read more!
It made me think of criticism and the role it plays in being a creative. You can browse the internet for days and see examples of criticism in relation to a person’s work. Statements sound like:
“Sucks.”
“I don’t like the color.”
“You shoulda picked a better location.”
“The hairstyling is horrible.”
“That’s a stupid idea.”
Or my all-time favorite:
“I would have done it like this…”
All of these statements can easily make someone second guess their plans for creating something new or the work they’ve already completed I often have a million ideas running rapidly in my head and I feel like I just have to create something! “I have to book a shoot!”, I think to myself. But with the creation of an idea comes the inevitable process of asking someone what they think about it. A word of advice: Ask the right person this question.
If I were to ask the wrong person, they may respond by simply stating, “I don’t get it.” or “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” If they say the latter, I just can’t help to ask them why. Which usually results in them giving me a vague explanation like: “Because it just is!”
Once I’ve actually made something and place it in the public eye (e.g. an online forum) I know viewers of my work will be broken into two sects. Those who love it and those who hate it. Each group has their own justifiable reasons and will boldly state their opinion of my work.
My Solution: Nix external validation. When I have an idea I’m passionate about, I just do it (as cheesy as that sounds). I don’t find there a need to debate or get second opinions if the idea is concrete enough. If someone views my work and doesn’t like it, fine. My work obviously isn’t for them. Whether you’re at the top of your class creatively or just a beginner, the door for criticism will always be open. You put it out there, people will pounce on it. I say ignore it and keep at it.
How do you deal with criticism regarding your work?
Post a comment and join the discussion.
First, congrats on the Blog launch – woohoo!
I think criticism (constructive) is valuable if taken into the appropriate perspective. Without it, your creativity could be stifled by your own myopic vantage point. Obligatory pats on the back won’t make you better, or help you grow. The key then, is to not let criticism diminish your self-esteem, or to internalize it as failure, but to allow it to broaden your prospective. Scan, select, and discard the crap that’s a reflection of that person’s own limitations. Use the best parts of the rest collectively to create a masterpiece! Just my opinion and how I deal…. “It’s motivation, haters get on ya job” –T.I.