You’re struggling to get feedback on your graphics. What can you do to get the input you need?

It’s crucial to differentiate between seeking feedback and seeking validation. Embracing constructive criticism is essential for growth in any field. When you open yourself up to critique, you acknowledge that your ideas might not always resonate, and that’s okay. As a young art director/designer, I had the privilege of reaching out to industry leaders like Stefan Sagmeister (genius), David Drummond (cover genius), and George Lois (magazine cover genius) for their insights. Their honest feedback—from “work more” to “think more and outside the box”—was invaluable. Each critique pushed me to revisit my work and improve. The highlight came when George Lois said, “Anna, I’m truly proud of you.” Be open to possibilities! And do not give up:)

Before seeking feedback, it’s crucial to clearly define what you want to achieve with your graphics and what type of feedback you’re looking for. Are you aiming to ensure your graphics are clear, accurate, and consistent? Are you seeking suggestions to improve your style, color choices, or typography? Or are you testing how effectively your graphics convey a message, engage your audience, or support your brand identity? By setting specific goals, you can focus your feedback request, making it easier for others to provide relevant and constructive input.

Bevor du um Rückmeldung bittest, mach dir selbst klar, worum es dir geht. Was willst du mit deinem Entwurf erreichen? Geht es um Wirkung, Lesbarkeit, Stil – oder um etwas ganz anderes? Nur wenn du selbst weißt, was du überprüfen willst, kann dir jemand gezielt helfen. Formuliere dein Anliegen klar: „Ich bin unsicher, ob das Layout verständlich ist“ wirkt anders als „Was hältst du davon?“ Zielgerichtetes Feedback beginnt bei dir – und nicht bei der Meinung anderer.

Before asking for input, I’ve learned it’s crucial to define what you're actually looking for. Are you testing clarity, visual consistency, or how well your design supports your message? Setting clear goals for feedback doesn’t just help others give you better input—it sharpens your own eye, too. The more specific your ask, the more valuable the response. Don’t just ask “What do you think?”—ask why you’re asking.

Sometimes I use social media to gather feedback. I don't always reveal the entire design, but for example, I might let my followers choose between two specific details. I also have a few personal contacts whose opinions and insights I truly value. I reach out to them for targeted feedback on specific aspects of my graphic

Es de vital importancia escuchar el mensaje de la crítica y no la forma. Eso conservará el objetivo. Comúnmente las observaciones externas tienen desconocimiento y subjetividad. Eso puede condicionar su escucha.

In my experience, I try to ask for input from people close to me, such as my partner, family members, or even close friends. Ask them to judge based on their perspective as a customer who will buy your product or use your services, this happens more often in my experience as a graphic designer. Especially if you have a project that can be discussed directly with the client without going virtual, it is very possible to get feedback.

As a UX/UI designer, I used to get vague feedback like “Looks good” — or nothing at all. The issue wasn’t always the design itself, but how I asked for feedback. Now, I always set the context: “I’d love your input on the visual hierarchy or contrast.” I ask clear, focused questions: “Does this button stand out enough?” or “Does this feel aligned with the brand?” Avoiding open-ended “What do you think?” helps a lot — especially with non-designers. I also get better results when asking for feedback live or through short user tests. Useful feedback doesn’t just happen. It needs structure.

Once you’ve defined your goals, the next step is to decide who you want to get feedback from and how you plan to reach them. Depending on your objectives, you might seek feedback from different sources, such as clients, colleagues, mentors, or your target audience. Each group can offer unique perspectives and insights on your graphics. However, it's important to consider their availability, expertise, and communication style. You should also determine the best method for gathering feedback—whether through email, phone calls, video conferences, online platforms, or face-to-face meetings. Select the sources and methods that align with your needs and preferences while also respecting the time and communication preferences of others.

Nicht jede Rückmeldung bringt dich weiter. Überlege dir gut, von wem du dir Feedback holst. Fachlich versierte Personen sehen oft andere Dinge als Außenstehende – beides kann hilfreich sein, je nachdem, was du brauchst. Achte darauf, dass deine Gesprächspartner ehrlich, aber konstruktiv sind. Wer nur lobt oder nur kritisiert, hilft dir nicht weiter. Wähle bewusst – so bekommst du nicht einfach Meinungen, sondern Hinweise, die dich wirklich weiterbringen. Gute Rückmeldung ist kein Zufall, sondern eine Frage der richtigen Quelle.

I've found that who you ask can totally shape the direction and depth of the critique you receive. Designers give you technical tips. Clients focus on clarity and message. Your target audience? They'll tell you how it feels. The key is to match your feedback goals with the right voices—and be mindful of their time and communication style. Feedback isn't one-size-fits-all, and the right source can make all the difference.

Uma coisa que acho útil é ver trabalhos anteriores do cliente para que possamos ter um norte para seguir e ao mesmo tempo buscar algo novo que possa impactar.

Este me parece lo fundamental en la información mostrada en un gráfico. Que dicho gráfico sea explicativo o entendible me parece algo sencillo, más con demasiada información de BI pero las fuentes en el mundo tan inteligente y conectado resulta ser el principal punto de arranque al analizar datos

Once you have identified your goals and sources, the next step is to prepare your materials for feedback. This involves selecting the graphics you want to receive feedback on, organizing them in a logical and coherent manner, and providing context and background information. For instance, you can create a portfolio, a presentation, or a mockup that showcases your graphics, explaining the purpose, target audience, objectives, and any challenges you faced during the project. Additionally, prepare specific questions or prompts to guide the feedback process and ensure you receive the input you need.

Bevor du um Rückmeldung bittest, sorg dafür, dass alles gut sichtbar, verständlich und zugänglich ist. Ob Datei, Ausdruck oder Präsentation – je klarer dein Material aufbereitet ist, desto leichter fällt es anderen, sich darauf einzulassen. Zeig nicht zu viel auf einmal, sondern das, worauf es ankommt. Vielleicht ergänzt du ein paar kurze Hinweise: Was ist neu, was ist offen, wo brauchst du Rückmeldung? So lenkst du den Blick – und machst es deinem Gegenüber leichter, dir wirklich zu helfen. Gute Vorbereitung spart Zeit – und zeigt Respekt für die Zeit der anderen.

When I want meaningful input on my graphics, I’ve learned that how I present my work matters just as much as what I present. A little context—like the goal, target audience, or design challenge—helps reviewers understand the “why” behind the work. Whether it’s a clean slide deck, a clickable prototype, or a curated portfolio, organizing your materials thoughtfully and asking focused questions makes feedback more actionable—and respectful of everyone’s time.

When receiving feedback on your graphics, it's important to remain open-minded, respectful, and appreciative. Remember that feedback is not a personal attack, but rather an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve. Listen actively and attentively to what others have to say, and if something is unclear or vague, ask for clarification or examples. Avoid arguing, defending, or justifying your graphics; instead, acknowledge the feedback and thank the person for their time and input. While you don't have to agree with or implement every piece of feedback, you should consider it carefully and objectively.

Wenn du um Rückmeldung bittest, dann sei bereit, sie auch anzunehmen – selbst wenn sie anders ausfällt, als du gehofft hast. Höre zu, ohne sofort zu rechtfertigen. Frag nach, wenn du etwas nicht verstehst, und bedank dich für die Offenheit. Es geht nicht darum, alles zu übernehmen, sondern zu erkennen, was dir weiterhilft. Freundlich zu bleiben zeigt, dass du professionell mit Kritik umgehen kannst – und es ermutigt andere, ehrlich zu sein. Rückmeldung ist ein Angebot – kein Urteil. Wie du damit umgehst, liegt bei dir.

One of the biggest shifts in my creative journey was learning to listen to feedback without immediately defending my work. When I stopped treating critique as criticism and started seeing it as collaboration, everything changed. Even when feedback feels off, it often reveals something worth exploring. Stay curious, not combative. Thank the person, ask follow-up questions, and take time to reflect. You don’t have to take every suggestion—but you do owe it to yourself to stay open.

Siempre es bueno tener cierta flexibilidad para adaptarse a cambios o imprevistos de cualquier índole. Sin embargo, en mi experiencia, hay que tener muy claros y definidos los límites de lo que es negociable o aceptable para poder brindar un servicio de calidad sin ir en desmedro del producto final

Nicht jede Rückmeldung muss umgesetzt werden – aber jede verdient, ernst genommen zu werden. Schau dir in Ruhe an, was gesagt wurde, und sortiere: Was hilft deinem Ziel? Was passt zu deinem Stil? Und was sagt vielleicht mehr über den Blick des anderen als über dein Werk? Wäge ab, triff Entscheidungen, und setz gezielt um, was dich wirklich weiterbringt. Feedback ist kein Fahrplan, sondern eine Landkarte – du bestimmst, welchen Weg du gehst. Entscheidend ist, dass du bewusst wählst und nicht einfach nur reagierst.

Once the feedback rolls in, the real work begins. I’ve found it’s essential to step back, sort through what’s useful, and align it with my original goals. Not every comment needs action—but every comment deserves consideration. The key is to spot the patterns, prioritize what's actionable, and apply changes intentionally. And once changes are made? Loop back. Test, refine, and—when needed—ask again. Feedback isn’t a one-time event. It’s a cycle.

Acho útil manter um ciclo contínuo de aprendizado baseado no feedback que recebemos. Pois nos ajuda a mitigar pontos de dúvida e melhorar a maneira que buscamos nos comunicar através dos gráficos e visuais

One of the most powerful habits I’ve built as a designer is treating feedback as part of my everyday process, not just a final checkpoint. Whether I’m polishing a portfolio piece or experimenting with a new style, feedback keeps me sharp and evolving. And giving feedback? That’s just as important. It trains your eye, strengthens your voice, and builds trust in the creative community. Growth as a designer doesn’t happen in a vacuum—it happens in the exchange.

No he realizado mejores gráficos más que en Excel ya que es muy hábil en hacer entendible los datos, más limpios y con diversidad de colores si los sabes usar

Para obtener comentarios efectivos sobre tus gráficos, puedes aplicar estrategias clave: ✅ Usar herramientas especializadas → Plataformas como What the Design y ClickUp permiten recibir feedback estructurado sobre diseño. ✅ Solicitar opiniones específicas → Pedir comentarios sobre aspectos concretos como tipografía, composición o colores. ✅ Facilitar la revisión → Presentar versiones comparativas para que los evaluadores puedan identificar mejoras. ✅ Fomentar la colaboración → Integrar equipos creativos en el proceso de revisión para enriquecer el análisis. ✅ Aplicar mejoras progresivas → Implementar cambios basados en el feedback recibido y validar con nuevas revisiones.