Design Feedback Sessions and Egos: Navigating the Tension
You know the feeling. It’s design review day, and it’s your turn to share your work. To paraphrase Eminem, “His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy…”
Why do we sometimes feel like this? Beyond the ever-present imposter syndrome, there’s another significant factor at play: our egos.
The Ego’s Role in Design
In the world of design, our creations are often deeply personal. We pour our creativity, time, and energy into every project. As a result, our designs can feel like extensions of ourselves. When we present our work for feedback, it can sometimes feel like we’re laying a piece of our identity on the table for scrutiny. This is where the ego comes into play.
The ego, in psychological terms, is our sense of self-esteem or self-importance. It’s what makes us proud of our achievements but also sensitive to criticism. During feedback sessions, our egos can become defensive, interpreting critique as a personal attack rather than a constructive dialogue aimed at improving the work.
Understanding the Dynamics of Feedback
To navigate design feedback sessions successfully, it’s crucial to understand the dynamics at play:
Feedback is about the work, not the person: This is a fundamental truth that’s often easier said than internalised. Remembering this can help reduce the personal sting of criticism.
Everyone’s a critic, but not all critiques are equal: In feedback sessions, it’s important to discern which pieces of feedback are most valuable. Not all comments will be relevant or actionable.
Constructive criticism is a tool for growth: Embrace feedback as a tool for growth rather than a judgment of your abilities. Each piece of constructive criticism is an opportunity to improve and refine your skills.
Strategies for Handling Feedback
Here are some strategies to help manage egos and make feedback sessions more productive:
Prepare mentally: Before the session, remind yourself that feedback is about the work, not you. This mental preparation can help create a buffer between your ego and the critique.
Listen actively: Focus on understanding the feedback fully before reacting. Ask clarifying questions if needed. This shows that you value the input and are open to learning.
Separate emotion from evaluation: Try to detach emotionally from your work. View the feedback objectively, as if you were critiquing someone else’s design.
Seek out diverse perspectives: Feedback from a variety of sources can provide a well-rounded view of your work’s strengths and areas for improvement. It can also help you learn to accept different viewpoints without feeling attacked.
Reflect and apply: After the session, take time to reflect on the feedback received. Identify patterns or recurring themes that may indicate areas needing attention. Then, apply this feedback to improve your design.
Building a Feedback-Friendly Culture
For feedback sessions to be truly effective, it’s also essential to cultivate a culture that supports constructive critique and mutual respect.
Set clear guidelines: Establishing clear guidelines for feedback can help ensure that comments are constructive and focused on the work rather than the individual.
Encourage empathy: Foster an environment where team members approach feedback with empathy, understanding that everyone is invested in their work and vulnerable to criticism.
Model the behaviour: Leaders and senior team members should model how to give and receive feedback gracefully. This sets the tone for the entire team and helps create a safe space for open dialogue.
Celebrate improvements: Recognise and celebrate when feedback leads to significant improvements. This reinforces the value of the feedback process and encourages continued participation.
Final thoughts.
Design feedback sessions can be challenging, especially when our egos are on the line. However, by understanding the dynamics of feedback, employing strategies to manage our responses, and fostering a culture of constructive critique, we can transform these sessions into powerful opportunities for growth and improvement.
Remember, feedback is a gift. It’s a chance to see our work from new perspectives and to push our skills to the next level. So, next time you’re in a feedback session, take a deep breath, set your ego aside, and embrace the opportunity to learn and grow.
