Let’s accept something right off the bat: in the world of creative work, there’s no design, product, or project that will be loved by absolutely everyone. It doesn’t matter how much time you’ve invested, how much knowledge you’ve applied, or how talented you are; there will always be someone who says, “It doesn’t convince me.” This can be frustrating and make us feel like our work is worthless, but we need to understand that subjectivity is not the villain of this story.
In fact, subjectivity is one of the factors that make design and creativity exciting and unpredictable—though, admittedly, it can drive us crazy at times. That’s why we’re going to talk about how to embrace this reality before your creative self-esteem hits rock bottom.
🌀 Challenge or Opportunity?
When you design, you inevitably pour a part of yourself into the project. Your style, colors, and typography choices… all of it says something about you as a designer. However, there’s an uncontrollable factor that comes into play: context. What you see as a clean and minimalist design might be perceived by the audience as empty or lacking effort.
As designers, we must accept that subjectivity is something we’ll never be able to control (so stop trying, unless you want to drive yourself mad). Expecting your work to please everyone is like wanting everyone to share the same taste in music. It’s just not going to happen.
What you can control is how you deal with subjectivity. You can let it frustrate you and abandon your ideas, or you can see it as an opportunity to showcase your work, defend your choices, and learn.
😅 Embrace Rejection (It Comes with the Creative Package)
Not everyone is going to understand you, and that’s okay. Trying to please everyone is the fastest route to mediocrity, and as creatives, we’re after the exact opposite: to innovate, be original, and leave a mark.
Have you ever read the comments on famous brand redesigns? Even if you, as a professional, can appreciate the technique and details, there will always be someone who says, “The old logo was better.” And that’s fine. The perfect design that pleases everyone doesn’t exist—and it doesn’t have to. Learning to accept criticism and evaluate where it comes from is essential. Some feedback can help you improve, while other comments are simply a matter of personal taste.
🔑 How to Manage Subjectivity Without Losing Your Mind
You’re probably wondering, “How do I handle all this without losing my nerve?” There’s no universal answer, but here are some practical tips:
Design with a purpose.
Clarity of purpose is key. Design to solve a problem or fulfill a specific function. If you achieve this, your work will be a success, regardless of whether everyone likes it or not.
Learn to filter feedback.
Opinions will vary—and often contradict each other. What some see as “too colorful,” others will call “too dull.” It’s up to you to decide which critiques add value to your project and which are simply personal preferences.
Embrace what makes you unique.
Don’t be afraid if your ideas seem “weird” or feel overly personal. That authenticity is what sets you apart. Think about the great creatives: if they had been afraid of criticism, many of the works we admire today wouldn’t exist.
🎨 Design and Let Them Talk
If there’s one thing that becomes clear when reflecting on subjectivity, it’s that it’s not a problem—it’s what makes every project unique. There will always be fear of failure or criticism, but nothing compares to the satisfaction of knowing your work achieved its purpose.
So, stop seeking everyone’s approval. Design to solve problems, tell stories, and connect with those who need what you offer. Opinions will always be there, but you’ll always have something new to create.
And you? Have you ever had a project you loved get rejected? How did you handle it? Hopefully, after reading this, you’ll feel better equipped to face it! 😊
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