Constructive Critisism

[MommySpice]

Originally Posted by pillowgirl

I think there is a definite benefit to constructive criticism. The key word is constructive. A lot of sites or people claim their "opinion" to be constructive criticism. But they don't back it up.

For example, "I am not a fan of your color scheme," is not constructive. But, "I think your layout would look better if you changed the color scheme a little. Here is a link to an article about using color to demonstrate a mood. Let me know if you need help."

Constructive means "Help someone get better and grow."
Opinion means, "I just wanted to tell you what I think about that, but I can't help you improve it and it's ot based on any concept or publishable theory."

Of course, this entire post is JUST my opinion. I didn't want to do the research to post any constructive criticism I LOVE constructive criticism even when I don't solicit it. And now and then I ASK for an opinion.

I think that's a perfect explanation of what CC should be!!!!

[wen2tap]

For me , I love to get CC, so long as its constructive I have no issue. I have avoided giving CC in the past as I have felt that I wasnt qualified to offer any CC or any good at doing this craft. I have grown so much with the assistance of OTHERS, that I now feel ok about it giving it, as I want to help others grow. Personally I think its all in the delivery, although that gets tricky sometimes as you cant know what the writers emotional intent was. Sometimes it comes across harsher than intended ,when read. (in your head it sounded fine, but when you read it dosn't] did that make sense its like when you write something that you think is funny but others have asked if your ok ,cause it read as being a bit upset.. so I try to use smiles to inticate the mood alot.... (hey Deb thats harder here as we have a limit of 4 )

As for typo's I like it when I get the heads up, saves ink!! But please beware that sometimes the way you spell is not the way the WHOLE world spells
eg USA- color AUST- colour ....
I have seen comments posted on layouts pointing out typo's but when I look at there avartar I see that they are from England or NZ or Aust and know that they have spelt it according to their own english....

It makes for an interesting discussion point though.....

[sandilyn]

I promised myself to be open to all suggestions when I joined the Guild, wanting to grow and learn. So feel free to give me CC's- I have so much to learn, and I appreciate suggestions! I try to remember to say that when I post but I know I forget a lot.

As for giving CC's, I am really hesitant to do so, mostly because I feel like such a beginner, so who am I to make suggestions? And sometimes I might think something would look better a different way but am not so sure it is because of a design concept or just my personal preference. I guess giving CC's is another area I will be growing in, as I learn more.

[Amson]

I am definitley open to cc. I need it to grow and improve. But as I tell my girls "Criticism should be like gentle rain to nourish and help us to grow and not like a torrential downpour to flood us". I don't cc except spelling mistakes as I just don't feel yet that I have strong style skills; I guess that is a reason I am here eager to learn.

When I was a member of Toastmasters, each speech had to be cc'd with a 3 minute talk. The usual structure was highlight 3 positives and then give the suggestion for improvement. CC is much easier to take if also given with a compliment!

Thanks for everyones thoughts!

[Donna]

I Love to GET CC..........................

I see how it might be embarrassing at times--good idea to PM-

I try not to give unsolicited advice............but sometimes I slip-
I so improved while working with another scrapper last summmer--that I learned to notice things that I had no clue to notice before!

FYI--MY intent is to always be nice.........if I offend- please pm and KNOW that's not my intent at all ( and I'm certainly NOT a know it all......been doing this 3 years--but I"m a slow learner )

THankS Stacey-- kinda helps to clear the air!

[Debb Cozzi]

I'm going to jump in with my 'two-cents worth' (I know, not worth much, but what the heck?! )

I like to approach layouts in an analytical way; asking myself what works and what doesn't. If somebody has asked for CC and think I might have an idea then I will share it. If they haven't asked for CC then I very rarely will offer suggestions.

However, besides just saying, "great layout" or the like I will try to find some aspect of the design that really caught my eye. As a teacher I find this approach helpful because sometimes people will do something intuitively that works really well but may not be able to identify it. Once you help them spot that, then they can begin using is purposefully in other layouts. As somebody that wants to continue to grow myself in my layout and design skills I find that if I can figure out the key to somebody else's layout then I can start using the same techniques in my own layouts. It is all about 'training the eye' and continuing to grow in our craft. And besides I think people like to hear about the reasons behind somebody liking a layout beyond just, "Wow, this looks great!" (NOT that I don't leave those kinds of comments and NOT that I don't like receiving them, but when there is time to leave a bit more than that I think/hope it is appreciated.)

[Stephanie]

Yes Debb, I agree

On a paper scrapping/stamping site i am on, during the Virtural Scrapbook/Stamp nights I noticed one member posted on all layouts

looking good great layout

I was like....did you even look at it? I want to know WHY you liked it, cause that lets me know what i'm doing right.

[smulley]

I know this thread is old but I was just looking through the forums to see if there was a thread where we can post layouts and get cc. I love cc and really appreciate it.

My dh and dd just got home so I don't have time right this second to read all of the posts on this thread, so please excuse me for asking this question if it has been answered. Is there a thread/place where we can post links and get cc?

I am taking the Layout Design Class now and am loving it. I would like to be able to get some of this cc after the class is finished!

Thanks

[Debb Cozzi]

Hi Sharon,

We sure do have a spot for you! We have a forum titled "Good, Better, Best" and it is the place you can link layouts when you are looking for specific feedback on how to make a good layout (because ANY layout that records a memory is a 'good' layout ) even better! It is located here.

[Scraplikecrazy]

Going back to the constructive criticism discussion, I personally love to get CC, especially because I am learning so much. I don't mind if anyone tells me "I would like to see such and such" or "have you thought about..." or "sometimes I...." and I don't mind if someone without a lot of experience tells me what they think, hey, when someone looks at a layout, they have some kind of feeling about it - if they can't tell me constructively what's wrong with it, they can at least tell me what they like about it.

I personally like it when people tell me the emotions or thoughts they have when see my LO's. That's what I made them for - for some kind of response. I like to tell people whether their LO made me cry, laugh, smile, or whether I just plain loved the way it looks, feels (you know, digital textures, etc). I like to study all those little details and tell people I noticed those. I like to know that others have noticed those about my LO, we all know how long it took to get them to look that way, it's nice to know that someone noticed and appreciated it.

SO, CC away on my LOs!!