The Tribune

Have you ever heard of the term ‘artistic distance’? Well, it is an artist’s tendency to get too close to their creations, and the resulting physical and emotional proximity forms a mental block that prevents them from seeing flaws in their own work.

My efforts to identify the concept of ‘artistic distance’ are not a new concept by any means. It is taught in every art school in one form or another, when they ask designers to step back and truly ‘see’.

The question, then, is when was this concept first discovered? Aristotle introduced the idea of aesthetics in his seminal work, ‘Poetics’, in which he discusses the various metaphysical components of drama.

Distance does not imply an impersonal, intellectually interested relationship, but it describes a personal relationship that often highly emotionally clouded.

My opinion has two gears: Fact and observation. Everyone wants to hear a client or colleague say ‘wow’, ‘awesome’ and ‘so cool’ when they deliver a job. But unsolicited praise is useless beyond immediate ego-gratification. It teaches nothing. Gushing praise or applause should be held up to the same scrutiny as unsupported criticism.

The conclusion is simple: If you can critique your own work, you will be better able to offer constructive criticism to someone else. Taken a step further, the more confident and accomplished you become at critique (self or public), the better equipped you will be to defend your design decisions when your work is unveiled to your client for the first time.

Critique or ‘constructive criticism’

Critique is not an opinion, because opinion does not need to be supported. Principally, critique is a detailed, objective evaluation. It is impersonal. It is honest. It can be delicate, or it can feel like you have been stricken by a moving truck. However, its sole purpose is to provide another objective point of view.

You, as the designer, have the option of accepting or rejecting the design analysis. It is neither right nor wrong. It is simply another studied point of view. A good critique is the difference between saying: “It’s hideous” and “Here’s why I think it’s hideous.”

Critique is not about belittling a person or their work. It is about helping someone see past their own blinders. Consider these responses: ‘No serious person will spend any time on that site.’ ‘The colours are all wrong’; ‘It’s too busy’; ‘Pictures are too small’; ‘Font is small’; and ‘Why is the Facebook link over there?’

A analysis does not have to be perfectly articulated to obtain priceless feedback. However, the goal is to know your craft well enough to be concise and honest and acceptance of ‘constructive views’.

Assuming that most people are hesitant or afraid to criticise the work of a peer, take time to describe in detail why you find a certain aspect of someone’s work fantastic. Why do you believe a ‘wow’ is warranted? What is it about the colour palette or composition that appeals to you? Why do you like the detail in an illustration?

By learning to describe the details in an admired design, you can also learn how to recognise and describe a design you feel is not ‘awesome’.

In the absence of a formal definition, artistic distance can best be described as a methodology for self-critique.

Practice walking across the room, and look at your design. What do you see? Does your layout make visual sense? Is it too cluttered? Or too sparse? Ask a second time.

Creating distance between you and your design will help clarify all of the questions, instead of obsessing over the intricate pattern you have designed for a content header.

Turn your design upside down. Once you have done this, start asking questions. Does the basic composition still work? Are the required elements noticeable? Where is the emphasis in this design? Based on what you see, what are the primary focal points?

Try converting your design to grey scale. Nothing reveals the effectiveness of your colour choices better than removing the emotional attachment of colour itself. Ditch the colour palette and see how your design works naked. By converting this design to grey scale, you can clearly see what elements of the page were designed to be the focal points.

It takes a certain mindset to be able to disengage emotions long enough to self-critique, or even listen to someone else tell you how they would improve your work, without taking it personally. The truth is, most people cannot.

By the same token, if you are passionate about what you create, it is virtually impossible to completely disassociate yourself. However, your ability to reach a place that allows you to contemplate a design on its own merits will enable you to improve your work immeasurably and cast off the shackles of ego. If you aim for that, you will not go too far wrong. Until we meet again, fill your life with memories as opposed to regrets. Enjoy life and stay on top of your game.

• NB: The columnist welcomes feedback at deedee21bastian@gmail.com

ABOUT THE COLUMNIST: Deidre Marie Bastian is a professionally trained graphic designer/marketing co-ordinator with qualifications of M.Sc., B.Sc., A.Sc. She has trained at institutions such as: Miami Lakes Technical Centre, Success Training College, College of the Bahamas, Nova South Eastern University, Learning Tree International, Langevine International and Synergy Bahamas.