As a young architect, it’s easy to feel discouraged when faced with criticism or negative feedback. Whether it’s a harsh comment from a professor or a rejection letter from a job application, these setbacks can leave you questioning your abilities and doubting your potential. However, it’s important to remember that one negative voice should not define your entire career as an Architect. Instead, you should focus on the hundreds of positive voices that are cheering you on and encouraging you to pursue your dreams. In this blog post, we will explore the power of a positive mindset and offer practical advice for young architects on how to overcome negative feedback and believe in themselves. Remember, you have the potential to shape the future of architecture, and you should never let one person’s negativity hold you back.
Understanding the Difference: Negative Feedback vs. Constructive Criticism
Before we delve further into handling feedback, it’s essential to understand the distinction between negative feedback and constructive criticism. Negative feedback primarily focuses on flaws, shortcomings, or perceived failures without providing specific suggestions for improvement. It tends to be critical, dismissive, or discouraging in nature, often driven by personal attacks or an attempt to belittle the recipient. Negative feedback can be demoralizing and damaging to one’s self-esteem and motivation.
Constructive criticism is feedback that aims to provide insights, suggestions, and recommendations for improvement in a supportive and helpful manner. It acknowledges both the strengths and weaknesses of the work, focusing on specific aspects and offering actionable guidance on how to enhance or develop certain areas. The intention behind constructive criticism is to assist the recipient in learning, growing, and refining their skills, fostering personal and professional development.
To illustrate the difference, let’s consider an anecdote involving a young architect named Alex who presents their design project to a group of peers and mentors for feedback. During the session, one person, John, provides feedback in two different ways.
In the first scenario, John offers negative feedback, stating, “Your design is terrible. It lacks creativity, and it’s clear you don’t have what it takes to be an architect. You should consider a different career path.” Here, John’s feedback is harsh, dismissive, and solely focused on tearing down Alex without providing any constructive elements. It aims to discourage rather than help Alex grow as an Architect.
In the second scenario, John offers constructive criticism, saying, “Your design has some potential, but I believe it could benefit from more innovative solutions. Consider exploring different materials or experimenting with alternative layouts to make it more visually engaging. Additionally, pay attention to the functionality of certain elements, such as the flow between spaces and accessibility considerations. Keep refining your skills, and I believe you have the potential to create exceptional designs.” This time, John’s feedback acknowledges areas for improvement but offers specific suggestions and guidance to enhance the design. The focus is on constructive feedback aimed at helping Alex develop their skills as an architect.
Understanding the difference between negative feedback and constructive criticism is crucial for young architects. While negative feedback can be discouraging and detrimental to one’s confidence, constructive criticism provides valuable insights and actionable suggestions for improvement. It fosters personal growth, encourages learning, and helps architects refine their skills and achieve their goals.
Emphasize the impact of negative feedback:
Negative feedback can be really tough for young architects to handle. When someone tells you that your work isn’t good enough or that you don’t have what it takes to succeed, it can make you feel really discouraged. Even when firm create tracks within their office that are “technical” versus “design” tracks it makes assumptions on our abilities. If you tell a young professional, “you’re not a designer” that is negative feedback based on personal opinion, and not constructive feedback. This kind of feedback can prevent you from achieving your goals because it can lower your confidence and make you second-guess yourself. If someone WANTS to focus on the more technical side of architecture that is fine.
Even though constructive criticism can be helpful for improving your skills, it’s important to remember that there will always be people who want to bring you down. These naysayers may not believe in your abilities, or they may simply be jealous of your talent. Regardless of their motivations, their negative comments can be harmful and can make you doubt your own potential.
It’s important to learn how to handle negative feedback healthily. Instead of letting it get you down, try to use it as motivation to work harder and improve your skills. Remember that everyone makes mistakes, and that failure is a natural part of the learning process. Don’t let one person’s negative opinion stop you from pursuing your dreams.
Believe in yourself and keep striving to be the best architect you can be!
Highlight the power of positive feedback:
Positive feedback can be a really significant change for young architects. When someone praises your work and tells you that you’re doing a great job, it can make you feel really good about yourself and your abilities. This kind of feedback can motivate you to keep pursuing your dreams and can help you stay focused on your goals.
Stories of successful Architects who believed in themselves and persisted despite challenges can be really inspiring. For example, Zaha Hadid, who was the first woman to win the Pritzker Architecture Prize. Despite facing discrimination and criticism throughout her career, she continued to create innovative and groundbreaking designs. Her success shows that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.
It’s important to seek positive feedback from mentors and peers who can support you on your journey. Surrounding yourself with people who believe in your abilities can help you stay motivated and focused. Don’t be afraid to celebrate your successes and acknowledge your progress. Remember that every step forward is a step in the right direction, and that you have the power to shape your own future as an architect.
Advice for young architects:
Dealing with negative feedback can be tough, but there are things you can do to stay positive and motivated. One of the most important things you can do is to surround yourself with positive influences. Seek out friends, family members, and mentors who believe in your abilities and can offer support and encouragement when you need it most.
Another helpful tip is to focus on the things you can control. While you can’t control what other people say or think, you can control your own attitude and effort. Instead of getting down on yourself when faced with criticism, use it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Try to see negative feedback as a way to improve your skills and become a better Architect.
For example, there are times when only one person expresses disappointment in your work, while the rest of your team, firm, owners, and others are genuinely satisfied with your contributions. It can be challenging when this single individual consistently offers harsh feedback, as it may start to consume your thoughts and influence your mindset. However, it’s important to remember that you can’t control someone else’s thoughts or opinions, so it’s best not to worry about it. Instead, redirect your focus and energy towards seeking feedback from those who support and believe in you. While there will always be areas for improvement, don’t allow one negative person to hold you back from reaching your potential.
It’s also important to seek out mentors who can offer guidance and support. Look for Architects who have achieved success in the field and ask them for advice on how to overcome challenges and achieve your goals. Building a strong network of mentors and peers can be incredibly helpful for staying motivated and focused on your goals.
Finally, remember to celebrate your successes and acknowledge your progress. Architecture is a challenging field, and every step forward is a step in the right direction. Take time to reflect on your accomplishments and remind yourself of the progress you’ve made. With hard work, determination, and a positive attitude, you can achieve your dreams and become a successful architect.
In conclusion, pursuing a career as an architect can be challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. Remember that negative feedback can be tough to handle, but it’s important to use it as motivation to improve your skills and become the best Architect you can be. Surround yourself with positive influences, seek out mentors who can offer guidance and support, and focus on the things you can control.
Above all, remember that you have the power to shape your own career as an architect. Don’t let the negative voice of one person stop you from pursuing your dreams. Believe in yourself and your abilities, and keep striving to achieve your goals. With hard work, determination, and a positive attitude, you can become a successful architect and make a lasting impact on the world around you.
Written by
Katelyn Rossier, AIA, NCARB, LSSBB
