Every day we are asked to give our opinion on something around us. Simple questions such as ‘what do you think’, to the professional requirement to critique somebody else’s work, bring us into situations that can become quickly awkward or difficult.
First of all it is important to understand the difference between the two terms and their resulting reactions.
Criticism
Criticism is a first person point of view of somebody else’s making. We either agree or disagree with a statement, effort or form of expression. Criticism is often just based on one’s own taste and understanding, often the expressionbeing hurtful to the receiving party.
Critique
Critique is the more professional expression of opinion to the same above situations, but it’s set to be made from a neutral perspective. Critique is supposed to be made from a detached professional point of view in larger context than one’s personal opinion.
The Difference
The difference between the two forms of feedback or expression matters largely to the receiving end, regardless of whether it changes anything for the person giving it.
Where criticism is based on personal experience, or point of view and opinion, critique is detached and can be explained. The statement ‘because I say so’ is not constructive, and can often not be understood or interpreted.
When critiquing somebody’s work, it’s imperative to leave personal judgement and taste out of the equation, this is easiest explained with an example.
Example:
A designer is asked to come up with a color scheme for a new and upcoming beverage brand. It is decided that the color red will play a key role.
Different iterations of color choices are presented and are subject to comment.
‘Oh I don’t like this color here, that one over there does not work for me.’ This is criticism based on personal taste or opinion. It cannot be logically understood and leave the designer only with one set of information – which colors were rejected.
Critique on the other hand could be in the following form.
‘This color is too feminine, we are targeting all genders, maybe a little bit less of pink. The color here is too aggressive for the brand message, it’s too much of a signal color.’
With the second set of feedback, the designer understands the rules, the ways of thinking of the superior critiquing the work at hand. The feedback can now be translated to a set of rules and applied to other parts of the same project.
Further critique is based on facts on not opinions !
Why it matters
Regardless of our positions, we can not take knowledge and experience with us when we leave a position or the world. Giving back a translated set of information helps the receiving end to evolve and grow. Beyond simple legacy aspects, a structured way of critiquing other people’s work makes work more easy and enjoyable.
There is nothing more rewarding in my personal opinion when the second round of work comes back and I get the impression that the person got me, the results reflect my earlier comments and it seems as if we are moving in the right direction.
By understanding the difference in giving feedback we consciously create a better work environment, a more efficient workflow and by formulating this in our own heads we get tools to explain or sell decisions to our superiors or clients.
The moment a person receives structured feedback a more positive dialog is created, taking the fear away of trying new things or to follow new ideas.
What to take away
The next time you are asked to give feedback to somebody else’s work, take a step back for a few seconds and try to find the dividing line between first person opinion and factual elements to comment on. Try to come up with a set of rules why something conforms or does not conform with your own point of view. Formulating this rules makes it much more comprehensible and approachable for others.
SaKiE 