How to give Constructive Criticism

Giving Constructive Criticism

Be Specific
To give useful feedback, call out specific aspects of the work (with writing and visuals) and tell them what's wrong with it. While there's nothing wrong with some generalities, it's much easier for the creator to address specifics.

Example:
"I don't like the way he jumps." is not specific enough. "I don't like that I can't control the character's jump height by holding the button down longer" is much more effective feedback.

Be Factual
Base your feedback on what you experienced, not on what others have said.

Be Fair
Positive feedback is just as important to the creator as negative feedback.

Be Friendly
Criticize the work, not its creator.

Be Flexible
Remember your feedback is just that, a suggestion; the creator doesn't have to do what you suggested.

Receiving Constructive Criticism

Feedback is for your benefit
Use it to your advantage. If the critic didn't care, he or she wouldn't have bothered giving feedback.

You cannot please all of the people all of the time
Someone will always think you should have done something differently. Decide who your audience is, and do your best to make something they will appreciate.

Not all feedback is valid
Such is the nature of criticism. It'll be up to you to figure out what's useful and what isn't.

Never shoot the messenger
You're only going to hurt yourself in the long run. Other people's viewpoints can inspire ideas you wouldn't have come up with on your own. If you drive people away, they won't provide feedback in the future, your work will always be one-dimensional, and you won't improve as a creator.

Commenting Guidelines