Navigating the Storm: How to Foster Constructive Criticism in Design Culture

It's no secret that many creative professionals have a bit of a love-hate relationship with LinkedIn. From virtue signaling and promoting a hyper-productive hustle mentality to oddly placed anecdotes, the platform has become the subject of countless memes and TikTok parody videos.

Just as we seemed to be getting over the cringe aspect of LinkedIn, a culture of criticism emerged. This can be compared to toxic discourse seen on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), which is witnessing record user losses due to its negative rhetoric.

In the world of design, this criticism has been amplified by controversial rebrands. Accusations of 'blanding', 'wokeness', and even just plain ugliness have surfaced, particularly with the recent unveiling of the new Jaguar identity.

Brandon founder and CEO Richard Brandon Taylor explains that established brands carry memory structures crucial for consumer emotional connection. Changing these can provoke strong reactions, leading to backlashes against rebrands.

Surprisingly, it's often the designers themselves who initiate this criticism. Many posts on social media and publications prioritize clicks and likes over thoughtful dialogue, resulting in thoughtless comments and misinformed articles.

Creative Boom aims to address project challenges respectfully, hoping to inspire designers to think before they type. Instead of focusing on the Jaguar rebrand, the goal is to promote a positive culture of constructive criticism within the industry.

Making the News

How often do rebrands make national news? We're not just talking about the creative press—broadsheets, radio, and TV also cover it.
Some infamous examples include the London 2012 logo, dubbed “the worst in Olympic history,” and the Airbnb headline questioning its design.

Johnny Selman, founder of a Brooklyn-based studio, notes that today, a rebrand often leads to public spectacle, typically trending negative.

When Meme Turns Mean

Conversations online can easily escalate compared to in-person discussions. Stuart Witter, associate creative director at Bloom, acknowledges the creative tension around controversial rebrands but warns of the blurred lines between valid debate and viciousness.

Witter suggests that the current slam culture encourages brutal visibility, often overshadowing the critique's purpose.

Go Big or Go Home

Imagine being a CEO watching the backlash of the Jaguar rebrand unfold. The fear of stirring controversy can lead to boring design briefs.

Joey Camire, chief strategy officer at SYLVAIN, argues that brands are too desperate to avoid risk, resulting in predictable outcomes.

John Pobojewski, a partner at Span, emphasizes that while constructive critique is essential in design, the current climate is driven by combative platforms aiming for clicks.

The Bigger Picture

Judging a rebrand solely on visuals is akin to judging a book by its cover. Bud Rodecker, design director at Span, notes that there’s much more effort behind design work than what case studies reveal.

Maor Ofek, founder of SIDE ST, believes negative criticism in creative work often overlooks the broader goals and motivations behind projects.

Leading by example is crucial to countering negative criticism. Engaging in meaningful discussions over coffee or taking time to reflect before posting opinions can foster a healthier discourse in the design community.