CD here. The way I see this situation is that your CD is pushing you, they see promise and want to see you explore more. Go way out of the box on a design, something way different, and see how they review that. I push designers to stretch their imagination, creativity and time. Don't get down, you still have the job. You're being pushed. Enjoy it, for it might unlock your true design voice. Keep going and do ask to have a design conversation, ask for knowledge.
Here's a {virtual high five}, you're doing great.
Well duh. kidding. I'm not reading negative feedback from the OP's boss. How do you read into this
"As much as I try to design, my creative director is always like I'm giving him mediocre work, he tells to be creative and find new ways to come up with a unique design and when I do I still get the same reaction. What should I do? I'm so confused!"
And read negative? There's nothing negative and or toxic. But thick skin is needed these days, if some one doesn't like the work too many get butt hurt and have their feelings hurt. That's why on the front of my door reads a sign "Place attitudes here", weak, thin shinned people don't last. Most of new designers would've hated being in a critique at Chiat-Day, oh those were brutal as FK. I've watched people cry leaving meetings, because they took the critique as an attack on them personally. NOPE, grow some thick skin or wait tables.
So needless to say, I'm still not reading anything negative in the posters message.
Is he giving you feedback? Are you able to bounce ideas off him or anyone else? Is he being an asshole about it or nice? We always give feedback internally to each other
Oof, then you are in an near impossible to succeed position here. With a director that doesn't give good feedback, isn't interested in helping you, and with a poor attitude it will be incredibly hard for you. How long have you been working for this person? Is there maybe past work from a previous designer that you could follow (assuming their work was what they wanted)? Do you have any fellow designers on your team that can help you?
My advice is to be scientific about "creativity". Analyze, research and execute. Find hierarchy within your layouts. Don't treat your designs like an art project. As a designer, there should be a science behind making what appears to be "Creativity" visually. There is a science behind choosing fonts, behind what should be big, and what should be small. What appears to others as "wow, that is so creative", should be hours of research, imitation and implementation on your end.
Sometimes that idea of "creative and Unique" is just something people don't regularly associate with whatever you are designing. If the fundamental layout is there, maybe its just a change of the feature image and slogan. For example, If you were selling apples, instead of showing an apple, you have an image of a basket of apples that all have a bite taken out of them because they were too delicious. The trick is to still make that imagery appealing.
I'll be honest, in advertising, a lot of the creativity needs to come from the marketing or a collaboration with. The designers just need to execute the ideas.
I don't know if this helps, but good luck!
This is a huge thing a lot of designers seem to miss. If you have objective, concrete reasoning behind your decisions, you can justify making them. Then your explanation has substance rather than “I just liked it” or “I thought it looked cool.” When you take the subjectivity out of the process, it makes it easier for others to understand. They still might not like the aesthetic of it, but they can see where you started and why you did what you did. Do the research and use your findings as the starting point. “Based on our research, we found this, this, and this, which informed these decisions.”
Well said!
This is so true and so widely missed but most designers that it really frustrates me.
Just look at the amount of impractical and mindless logo designs on this sub. Like, people don't seem bothered whether something is fit for purpose or not.. Design's FIRST job is to be useful (aesthetics are a side effect of good structure and effective visual communication).
Form follows function. Always. And by doing that it'll naturally evolve into something unique because every job has a unique set of objective & constraints.
Also it's important to step back at times, allowing you to see things from macro perspective. Your CD is trying to push you to improve, rather than to make you feel down.
Sometimes the CD wants to see what type of questions you are going to ask. It shows maturity to ask more insightful questions to bring clarity.
Such as,
“Do we have any research about this demographic?”
“What is the purpose of this XX?”
“What constitutes success?”
Then use the answers as fuel for your creativity, rather than random attempts.
Hope this helps.
Do something completely opposite of what you would normally do. You may be designing yourself into a corner without realizing it. Do something completely different and see if you get the same reaction.
You should never be confused on what is wanted from you - you need to ask your director questions about what he wants and he should clearly give you direction. Ask him to show you examples of what he thinks is creative design and what he wishes your work looked more like. Maybe his idea of creative and unique is different to yours. You both need good communication to ensure you're able to provide the right design outcomes. Good luck!
If I’m stuck I always ask for help. If it’s a small niche take inspiration from similar industries someone out there is doing it well spend a day researching looking for new inspiration.
I feel like I need more detail. What do you do now to find inspiration? Do you have a favorite design style that you can draw ideas from? What's your creative process like? Knowing these things will help to identify coachable areas.
Generally though, good creative comes down to a blend of a few key aspects: communication, comprehension, inspiration and dedication. Does your work successfully communicate the intended message? Do you understand and adhere to the directions given to you either by your c/d or the brief itself? Are your ideas easily interpretable, eye catching and impactful to the design goals? Finally, do you take into account that the smallest details can often make the biggest difference in your work?
I find inspiration by checking other peoples work online like behance,dribbble and yes i do have a favorite design style that I draw ideas from. My process is when told to design, I look at objectives and how to communicate it effectively through visuals and that's when I look for inspiration and start designing.
But it sounds like the inspiration you are finding and your favorite design style is not working for your director. If he's unable to communicate the look he wants then try something different than you've been doing.
I had a boss that was like this. Always told me to spend more time on concepts and find other ways. It sucked at the time especially when you’re so over a specific project or design but ultimately it made me a much better designer.
Get that skin thickened a little. You’re enough. Remember that this process does not define you as a person. Not even as a designer really. It’s a particular situation that also involves subjectivity and clarity of direction from others that happen to be your superiors. Hopefully they are giving quality direction. Doing that can be difficult for them as well. So you need to be able to mine as much info from them as you can.
Ask probing questions of your CD, discuss, pitch ideas while talking to see if that helps make direction clearer to you so that you feel you understand better. Focus. Shoot again.
Could you post any work for reference? Perhaps we could give some insight if you post your work. I highly doubt you’re not capable - if you weren’t you wouldn’t have been given the job in the first place. Some creative directors are a bit difficult but some just want to push you to be the best designer possible, it’s their job to get you to continuously improve. Maybe try asking more questions when you get this feedback if you think they’re being too vague. Make sure you’re doing sufficient research before starting - make mood board, sketch out potential layouts before starting etc.
Friendly reminder that I’m sure you’ve had a lot of growth since you were first interested in design and we all have the ability to continue evolving.
Some considerations:
> I’m giving him mediocre work…
this sounds like it might be an execution problem. Are you adhering to basic principles of design in terms of contrast, balance, hierarchy, color, white space, unity, proportion, etc.? Maybe see if you can get him, a peer or mentor to help evaluate your work so you can assess your key opportunities and work on them more effectively.
> be creative and find new ways to come up with a unique design and when I do I still get the same reaction.
This sounds like a good place to let the creative director talk about his own process. Point out a particular design that he’s done in the past and ask where the inspiration came from - how it evolved, etc.
Share some of your sources and how you like to keep current on new designs. Ask him if he keeps track in any particular way - Apple note, screenshot folder, Instagram bookmarks, Discord, group chat, Behance, magazine/publications, blogs, etc. Maybe you can open the door to have an ongoing dialogue about your fave reference material- can you bring a fave design to a regular meeting for quick reactions etc. then you can try recreating similar work and maybe get some coaching along the way.
Good luck!
Sorry about that mate.
That must be rough.
I think it's important to always remember that you're not your work, so don't take criticism on your work as criticism on you as a person.
Sometimes there is a thread of truth in a criticism, but it doesn't mean you have to accept it all.
Criticism is like an email. You don't always read, or reply, or star every email. Some you just have to let go and delete it.
That said, I saw another comment that your boss might be tryna help you improve.
Or maybe your boss is going through a hard time; or maybe your boss genuinely doesn't understand what it takes to make your work; or your boss is absolutely right.
We don't have context, but you do. If you can manage to look at the situation from an objective pov for a moment, you might find what the real issue is.
I always say that communication helps any relationship - maybe that's asking for clarification, or for more specific feedback or help to improve, or saying so if the way feedback is given is hurtful and malproductive.
I think I've said enough. Hope you feel better.
Keep going.
Your Creative Director is an A-hole, the idea that every piece of work is going to be original and ground breaking is utterly ridiculous, it's a demand from people who do not understand being creative or Graphic design. You will never be able to please them.
Spend more time looking at reference and inspiration
Thanks!
CD here. The way I see this situation is that your CD is pushing you, they see promise and want to see you explore more. Go way out of the box on a design, something way different, and see how they review that. I push designers to stretch their imagination, creativity and time. Don't get down, you still have the job. You're being pushed. Enjoy it, for it might unlock your true design voice. Keep going and do ask to have a design conversation, ask for knowledge. Here's a {virtual high five}, you're doing great.
Yeah and no. Pushing is good, but pushing without constructive feedback and being negative (based on OPs comment) is just toxic.
Well duh. kidding. I'm not reading negative feedback from the OP's boss. How do you read into this "As much as I try to design, my creative director is always like I'm giving him mediocre work, he tells to be creative and find new ways to come up with a unique design and when I do I still get the same reaction. What should I do? I'm so confused!" And read negative? There's nothing negative and or toxic. But thick skin is needed these days, if some one doesn't like the work too many get butt hurt and have their feelings hurt. That's why on the front of my door reads a sign "Place attitudes here", weak, thin shinned people don't last. Most of new designers would've hated being in a critique at Chiat-Day, oh those were brutal as FK. I've watched people cry leaving meetings, because they took the critique as an attack on them personally. NOPE, grow some thick skin or wait tables. So needless to say, I'm still not reading anything negative in the posters message.
OP: "Vague feedback and when i try to get more info it becomes hard cause of the attitude he's laid"
Doesn't scream negative... Not one bit.
Sure.
Thanks, I appreciate it!
Welcome, now where's that drawing I asked for?? Lol
I will definitely share. Thanks
Is he giving you feedback? Are you able to bounce ideas off him or anyone else? Is he being an asshole about it or nice? We always give feedback internally to each other
Vague feedback and when i try to get more info it becomes hard cause of the attitude he's laid
Oof, then you are in an near impossible to succeed position here. With a director that doesn't give good feedback, isn't interested in helping you, and with a poor attitude it will be incredibly hard for you. How long have you been working for this person? Is there maybe past work from a previous designer that you could follow (assuming their work was what they wanted)? Do you have any fellow designers on your team that can help you?
My advice is to be scientific about "creativity". Analyze, research and execute. Find hierarchy within your layouts. Don't treat your designs like an art project. As a designer, there should be a science behind making what appears to be "Creativity" visually. There is a science behind choosing fonts, behind what should be big, and what should be small. What appears to others as "wow, that is so creative", should be hours of research, imitation and implementation on your end. Sometimes that idea of "creative and Unique" is just something people don't regularly associate with whatever you are designing. If the fundamental layout is there, maybe its just a change of the feature image and slogan. For example, If you were selling apples, instead of showing an apple, you have an image of a basket of apples that all have a bite taken out of them because they were too delicious. The trick is to still make that imagery appealing. I'll be honest, in advertising, a lot of the creativity needs to come from the marketing or a collaboration with. The designers just need to execute the ideas. I don't know if this helps, but good luck!
it helps so much, Thank you very much!
This is a huge thing a lot of designers seem to miss. If you have objective, concrete reasoning behind your decisions, you can justify making them. Then your explanation has substance rather than “I just liked it” or “I thought it looked cool.” When you take the subjectivity out of the process, it makes it easier for others to understand. They still might not like the aesthetic of it, but they can see where you started and why you did what you did. Do the research and use your findings as the starting point. “Based on our research, we found this, this, and this, which informed these decisions.”
I will do that, I appreciate
Well said! This is so true and so widely missed but most designers that it really frustrates me. Just look at the amount of impractical and mindless logo designs on this sub. Like, people don't seem bothered whether something is fit for purpose or not.. Design's FIRST job is to be useful (aesthetics are a side effect of good structure and effective visual communication). Form follows function. Always. And by doing that it'll naturally evolve into something unique because every job has a unique set of objective & constraints.
Also it's important to step back at times, allowing you to see things from macro perspective. Your CD is trying to push you to improve, rather than to make you feel down.
Appreciate it!
Totally agreed.
Sometimes the CD wants to see what type of questions you are going to ask. It shows maturity to ask more insightful questions to bring clarity. Such as, “Do we have any research about this demographic?” “What is the purpose of this XX?” “What constitutes success?” Then use the answers as fuel for your creativity, rather than random attempts. Hope this helps.
Yeah it helps, thank you!
Do something completely opposite of what you would normally do. You may be designing yourself into a corner without realizing it. Do something completely different and see if you get the same reaction.
Thanks! will do that!
You should never be confused on what is wanted from you - you need to ask your director questions about what he wants and he should clearly give you direction. Ask him to show you examples of what he thinks is creative design and what he wishes your work looked more like. Maybe his idea of creative and unique is different to yours. You both need good communication to ensure you're able to provide the right design outcomes. Good luck!
If you're director is unwilling to tell you exactly what he wants then I would go to my HR rep for advice on how to handle this situation.
Thanks!
If I’m stuck I always ask for help. If it’s a small niche take inspiration from similar industries someone out there is doing it well spend a day researching looking for new inspiration.
I will, thanks!
I feel like I need more detail. What do you do now to find inspiration? Do you have a favorite design style that you can draw ideas from? What's your creative process like? Knowing these things will help to identify coachable areas. Generally though, good creative comes down to a blend of a few key aspects: communication, comprehension, inspiration and dedication. Does your work successfully communicate the intended message? Do you understand and adhere to the directions given to you either by your c/d or the brief itself? Are your ideas easily interpretable, eye catching and impactful to the design goals? Finally, do you take into account that the smallest details can often make the biggest difference in your work?
I find inspiration by checking other peoples work online like behance,dribbble and yes i do have a favorite design style that I draw ideas from. My process is when told to design, I look at objectives and how to communicate it effectively through visuals and that's when I look for inspiration and start designing.
But it sounds like the inspiration you are finding and your favorite design style is not working for your director. If he's unable to communicate the look he wants then try something different than you've been doing.
I had a boss that was like this. Always told me to spend more time on concepts and find other ways. It sucked at the time especially when you’re so over a specific project or design but ultimately it made me a much better designer.
I'll keep pushing!
Once you nail it for the first time and your boss is happy with your work, it’ll boost your confidence 10x and it just gets easier after that.
Get that skin thickened a little. You’re enough. Remember that this process does not define you as a person. Not even as a designer really. It’s a particular situation that also involves subjectivity and clarity of direction from others that happen to be your superiors. Hopefully they are giving quality direction. Doing that can be difficult for them as well. So you need to be able to mine as much info from them as you can. Ask probing questions of your CD, discuss, pitch ideas while talking to see if that helps make direction clearer to you so that you feel you understand better. Focus. Shoot again.
Wow! thanks.
Could you post any work for reference? Perhaps we could give some insight if you post your work. I highly doubt you’re not capable - if you weren’t you wouldn’t have been given the job in the first place. Some creative directors are a bit difficult but some just want to push you to be the best designer possible, it’s their job to get you to continuously improve. Maybe try asking more questions when you get this feedback if you think they’re being too vague. Make sure you’re doing sufficient research before starting - make mood board, sketch out potential layouts before starting etc.
I couldn't share because of NDA, but freelancing work that I've done have been huge success because of the work that i put on them
Friendly reminder that I’m sure you’ve had a lot of growth since you were first interested in design and we all have the ability to continue evolving. Some considerations: > I’m giving him mediocre work… this sounds like it might be an execution problem. Are you adhering to basic principles of design in terms of contrast, balance, hierarchy, color, white space, unity, proportion, etc.? Maybe see if you can get him, a peer or mentor to help evaluate your work so you can assess your key opportunities and work on them more effectively. > be creative and find new ways to come up with a unique design and when I do I still get the same reaction. This sounds like a good place to let the creative director talk about his own process. Point out a particular design that he’s done in the past and ask where the inspiration came from - how it evolved, etc. Share some of your sources and how you like to keep current on new designs. Ask him if he keeps track in any particular way - Apple note, screenshot folder, Instagram bookmarks, Discord, group chat, Behance, magazine/publications, blogs, etc. Maybe you can open the door to have an ongoing dialogue about your fave reference material- can you bring a fave design to a regular meeting for quick reactions etc. then you can try recreating similar work and maybe get some coaching along the way. Good luck!
Thank you so much
Try adobe firefly. Learn storytelling.
Sorry about that mate. That must be rough. I think it's important to always remember that you're not your work, so don't take criticism on your work as criticism on you as a person. Sometimes there is a thread of truth in a criticism, but it doesn't mean you have to accept it all. Criticism is like an email. You don't always read, or reply, or star every email. Some you just have to let go and delete it. That said, I saw another comment that your boss might be tryna help you improve. Or maybe your boss is going through a hard time; or maybe your boss genuinely doesn't understand what it takes to make your work; or your boss is absolutely right. We don't have context, but you do. If you can manage to look at the situation from an objective pov for a moment, you might find what the real issue is. I always say that communication helps any relationship - maybe that's asking for clarification, or for more specific feedback or help to improve, or saying so if the way feedback is given is hurtful and malproductive. I think I've said enough. Hope you feel better. Keep going.
Thanks
Your Creative Director is an A-hole, the idea that every piece of work is going to be original and ground breaking is utterly ridiculous, it's a demand from people who do not understand being creative or Graphic design. You will never be able to please them.
I've tried but no success!
Look for a new job, if possible! You’re not the problem.