Constructive Crit

[Higuy]

Constructive Criticism

A Pillar of the Game-Artist.Net Community.
Do you want to be a respected member of this community, want to develop your communication skills so that you are prepared for the industry or the workplace in general? It doesn't involve a lot of work, brings great benefits and will make you a better artist. Take the initiative today.
So what makes for poor criticism, how do we identify it and correct it?:
http://www.game-artist.net/spotlight/crit/bad_cond.jpg
"Awesome work, best piece I've ever seen!"
This is the worst sin of all when it comes to constructive critcism. You are in effect giving the author of the work a false sense of success and are limiting his or her abilities to grow as an artist. The root of such comments can often be traced back to users who wish to see their post count increase. Repeated occurences of such comments will fall under the warning system outlined in the forum rules (which can lead to a ban). We wish to see the artists in our community develop and increase their skill-level, not be limited because the only criticism they receive is patronizing. Clearly, exceptions exist, but they are very few in number.
http://www.game-artist.net/spotlight/crit/bad_negative.jpg
"Texturing looks terrible."
Negative comments are a lack of respect for an artists work and as such will be removed. Repeated occurences of such comments will fall under the warning system outlined in the forum rules (which can lead to a ban).
http://www.game-artist.net/spotlight/crit/bad_specific.jpg
"The piece could use a lot of work."
This is a generalization which in 9 out of 10 cases will not help the artist, you need to be specific in your criticism and take the time to explain what you feel can be done better. The same basic thing you expect from other users when they give you feedback! Paintovers or reference images are always appreciated by the author, just make sure you don't take over the thread with images too large.
http://www.game-artist.net/spotlight/crit/bad_spelling.jpg
"The txetrue lookks ok." . .or. . "That is so leet."
Reading through posts which are poorly structured and lack basic spelling/grammar can be very exhaustive on viewers who try to take the time to understand your work, perspective or opinion. Take the 10 seconds you need to proof read your post. Look out for basic things, capitalizing the beginning of your sentences, breaking down your post in paragraphs that make sense, etc. People will appreciate it and your communication skills will also increase as a result. We also realize that not everyone is of English mother tongue, we appreciate your efforts in communicating in a language that may not be the easiest for you.
In the end, it boils down to basic communication skills which are essential all the way from forums such as these to your workplace. If you do not take the time to develop and maintain this skill, it will have an effect on your abilities in the long term:

"Constructive criticism is the process of offering valid and well-reasoned opinions about the work of others, usually involving both positive and negative comments, in a friendly manner rather than an oppositional one" Source (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructive_criticism)

In summary:

http://www.game-artist.net/spotlight/crit/good_const.jpg

http://www.game-artist.net/spotlight/crit/good_struct.jpg

http://www.game-artist.net/spotlight/crit/good_specific.jpg


- straight from Game-Artist.net

http://www.game-artist.net/forums/view.php?pg=constructivecrit

Thought this forum could use it, people new and old.

[neuro]

this is a terrible post.

[kid908]

http://www.modacity.net/forums/showthread.php?20146-Quick-Crit-2010/page103

here you go. Honestly, this site is pretty low on the "awesome looks great/that looks like shit" stuff compared to others. There's useful advices given in thread linked. The few of the negative ones were honest and usually pointed to "go look at tutorials"

[Higuy]

Just trying to link people to a good article for real crit was all, not a thread to post your stuff in.

[ICEE]

I agree with pretty much the entire article. Particularly the stuff about negative crit. You can criticize someone's art without bashing them. They do not need to hear that it looks awful, they only need to hear what they need to expand upon. The only case I can think of in which negative criticism is appropriate, is when someone is so adamant about their art's worth that they wont listen to good, applicable criticism.

Y'all who seem so insistent upon bashing just because thats "how it was done to you" or "thats how the professionals/art teachers do it": None of these are good reasons. Granted, it is very important for any artist to have a thick skin, it is not the job of anyone on this forum to test this thickness.

[CrAsHOvErRide]

As if any newcomer would read this.

[ICEE]

Col post bre.

[SnaFuBAR]

This treats the situation as if every single artist were the same. IRL this ain't true. There's something called tough love, some people respond to it, some don't. Some don't respond to anything, seemingly. Simply making a blanket rule for crit is entirely POINTLESS. We have similar guidelines (and rules) in place (with more leniency) that allow the community to adapt to a member's habits/personality.