Feedback
a how-to guide
Feedback is a gift. You either take it or leave it.
Types of Feedback Positive
Negative Constructive Sandwich
Positive feedback is Negative feedback is especially effective mostly used to point when used to out bad behaviours. highlight Beware: it can offend what they did well other people. in their work.
It is an objective aproach to giving feedback that focuses on observable facts.
It consists of three steps : positive, constructive and then again positive feedback to tie the opinions together.*
Do’s and Don’t’s Do’s Feedback is for the recipient, not the giver – be sensitive to the impact of your message. Use terms such as “I think”, “I consider that”, “In my opinion” etc. to state your point of view.
Try to maintain a balance between stating positive and constructive opinions for an efficient feedback.
Instead of giving demands, try giving suggestions and stating possibilities. Don’t wait too long to give feedback. Once requested, it is adviced to offer feedback as soon as possible.
Stay in the ‘here and now’, don’t bring up old concerns or previous mistakes, unless this is to highlight a pattern of behaviours.
Don’t’s Don’t become judgmental. Focus on the behavior that needs to be changed. Feedback shouldn’t avoid real problems. If there’s an issue, don’t be afraid to state it! Don’t be too vague – use specific examples, and connect those behaviors to create an impact. Don’t emphasize too heavily on the negative. Feedback should be about perfecting the positive side of a matter. Don’t wait too long to give feedback. Once requested, it is adviced to offer feedback as soon as possible for the specific situation to still be fresh in the person’s mind. Stay in the ‘here and now’, don’t bring up old concerns or previous mistakes, unless this is to highlight a pattern of behaviours.
Receiving Feedback So much feedback over here!
In order to understand feedback, you need to listen to it. Don’t think about what you’re going to say in reply, try to listen first. Try not to take it personal. The majority of the people who give feedback have the best interest in helping you. Should you have not understood the other person’s advice, don’t be afraid to ask more questions so that you know how to improve in the future. You should focus on making things better and not proving the other person wrong.
If you feel like what you did was right, don’t hesitate to state your opinion and perspective.
When you make a poor choice, admit it. There is no point in self-defending when you want to improve your work.
Be grateful and polite, remember to always thank the other person even if he/ she gave a negative feedback.
Other Typs & Tricks
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Before giving any feedback, you should ask yourself: “Is it worth it? Could I help the other person and how?”
Have an open conversation with the other person, ask them if they got it right or if they need any more help.
Let the other person have some time to think and assimilate the information you give.
It is better to give advice in an interactive matter. Constant communication is key to giving feedback.
Designers’ Feedback
Creativity Typs
Examples
Be organised and give feedback based on some essential factors such as colours, fonts, text positioning, proportions, shapes etc. You will make the life of the fellow designer much easier!
‘Talking about colours, I suggest you use a brighter orange so it stands out more from the background. As for the text, I think a sans serif type of font would be more suitable etc.’
Design can, as any other art, be subjective. What you think is right for you might not work for others and vice versa. Try to be as objective as possible when giving feedback!
‘Bright reds and greens can only work togheter in a Christmasy design. You should try another colour combination to match your ideas.’
Start by analysing the most important elements, the ones that stand out in the design and then the details so that the designer would know what to prioritise.
‘The first thing that catches my attention is the picture in the background. I would choose a happier one so it goes with the smiley faces from the corners...’
Suggest ways in which the other person can improve different elements of design and give examples of your ideas trying not to repeat yourself or what other said.
‘You could make the bullets and numbering much more creative. Try using objects such as flowers, stars, sea horses or your own shapes for a neat looking design.’
Stay within the field of design and be precise, the designer needs to be pointed out exactly what he/ she can do better .
‘ On page 4, I think that the design could look better if... In the second paragraph, the font looks distorted... On the back cover, you should...’
A common way to give advice regarding design is by using the sandwich approach*. By using this method, there is little chance that the other person would find the feedback to be negative and he/ she would implement it better.
‘I like the overall look of your design. However, I think it would look better without the gradient effect as it gives a cheap feel to it. The round corners though make it all look put togheter!’
The language you use can be essential in giving feedback. Persuasive, suggesting words and stating possibilities help the designer decide which feedback to implement and which to not.
‘I think that you should... I suggest that you... What if you do this/ that... By doing this, you... It is better to... than to... etc.’
Try not to be too negative and offend/discourage the other person. The work of a designer is not that easy to do after all. Between the advice and the critiques, don’t forget to say congrats! The designer will appreciate your feedback even more.
Homework Feedback time! Almost everywhere you will work or study you will be faced with giving or receiving feedback. In BEST, feedback is frequently requested in order to help fellow Besties. For a designer, it is mandatory. I’ve attached some materials that former BEST designers have worked on and done in the past. These are either their first attempts at design or final versions. I would like you to choose one of the materials (or more, if you have the time and you want to) and write down in a document (Word, for example) your feedback for it following the tips and tricks that I have pointed out above. This is a fun exercise from which you will learn the language of feedback, how to spot things that could be improved and mistakes that could be corrected. It will also help you with other homeworks and during the workshops. May your feedback be wise! Good luck!