Last week, Center for Church Communication (CFCC) executive director Chuck Scoggins posted a number of ways folks can get involved with CFCC. One of the easiest way to get involved is by leaving feedback on the Church Marketing Lab on Flickr.
As designers, we need to be challenged and pushed to achieve the most effective design and the Lab is a fun place to encourage and challenge each other. Every design posted to the Lab deserves an honest (and loving) critique. Let’s review a few ways to leave some helpful feedback.
Sandwich a Negative With Positives
If something about the design sucks, let the designer know (in love). But be sure to give an example or two of something that is working for the design. Don’t be the reason someone is having a bad day by only leaving a negative comment.
Give the Why
What’s not working with the design and why? What is working and why? What should the designer repeat more often in other designs? Not all of us went to art school so familiarizing yourself with the basic design principles can be helpful in giving the “why’s”. There may not be a single thing wrong with the design. Let the designer know that! Let them know why the design works so they can keep up the good work.
Provide Solutions
When appropriate, give examples to help fix what’s off with the design. If the font is dated, suggest a newer one by name. “Instead of a flower, what about a bird?” “Instead of centered, what if you tried left aligned?” You get the picture.
Be Kind
People > Projects. The church communication world is a tight network and we’re all family. At the end of the day, we should be building each other up, not tearing each other down. The Church Marketing Lab has done this well and it’s my prayer we can continue encouraging one another as God uses us to building his kingdom.
“Let love be genuine. […] Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” -Romans 12:9-10 ESV
Celebrate 10 years of Church Marketing Suck by helping it not such so much. Visit the Church Marketing Lab and get helping today.
Bethany
July 11, 2014
Good reminders. I had someone give me advice on there recently, but it wasn’t worded very positively. This is surely something we can all work on together, myself included!