Josh and Jody are both designers working on a graphic design project rebranding a local business. Josh is a much older designer, in his 60′s, while Jody is in her mid-twenties. They work with another designer, Jordana, also in her mid-twenties.
Jody gets tasked with creating a logo, while Josh creates a new website for the company. Jordana works closely with Jody to create flyers, business cards and such.
A few weeks into the project, Jody sees the website that Josh is working on, and sees a few issues with the design. Jordana agrees with the issues, and so Jody asks Josh if it would be alright to get together with him and Jordana to suggest some ideas for altering the design. Josh is offended, stating that he is near the completion of the project, and he finds it in bad form that Jody and Jordana would want to collaborate at this phase of the design. He says that the project was assigned to him, and that Jody would feel bad if the roles were reversed, and was suggested a revision of her logo once it was completed.
Jody isn’t sure what to do. She’s unsure of how to act because of Josh’s age and experience, and she doesn’t want to undermine the work that he’s done, but at the same time, she feels that since they are working on the same project together, she should be allowed to critique Josh’s work.
So, Foodcluckers… Who’s right and who’s wrong? Is Jody overstepping her boundaries by suggesting revision on another’s work, particularly so late into the design phase, or are Josh’s sentiments about revision unreasonable?
Gillizama
Effish
obikwan
lazerhurst
deanrrr
vestepants
lyledunn
Tarawful
katiethoma
smonterosso
snicely3
sauditopix
anikhanda
So I talked to “Josh” in person today and all is well. He explained that it wasn’t ego that worried him about making changes, but he feared if we niggled about details right before the deadline, we’d blow through it. He said he’s really not attached to his work, and is totally fine handing the project to Jordana for management and changes after the important stuff goes up. (I can see where he’s coming from, as the place we’re rebranding for has a seasonal influx of new customers, and timing is important).
Every previous discussion we had was through email, and I think I took his writing to be angrier than it really was. A good moral here is probably when having an important debate, best to do it face to face and not chance misunderstanding through the internets.
All in all, we came to a good resolution. Thanks guys for all of your feedback!
I take back the nasty shit I said about Josh.
Woop, just read the last few bits there. I agree. He’s probably pissed because he’s not getting paid. But, once again, Fuck Josh.
Fuck Josh. Anyone who can’t take critique, ESPECIALLY when it’s a collaborative project is a retard with an ego. That sounded a little harsh. But, I think what “jody”(cough, fart) was definitely not out of line by bringing up issues late in the process. Though, SNicley will often get last minute changes or entire project revisions the night before the project is due. She always says how much of a pain in the ass it is. Not sure if your situation is THAT last minute, but either way, problems gotsta get fixed unless you want to present shit work, right?
Well, I THINK Josh making a fuss over you seeing issues in his design is the unprofessional part of this story.
Maybe he’s already put his time in and wants to finish with this job, or feels like you didn’t help and now came in just to poo-poo his work.
Or maybe the changes you’re asking him to make would involve a huge-reworking (or code he doesn’t know, perhaps?)
But him throwing making you feel bad for making suggestions sucks. Dude comes off like a curmudgeon.
Are the issues with the designs totally aesthetic, or are they practical? Because if it’s aesthetic, then the guy might just be taking personal offense. If they’re practical issues then it’s an objective problem, and you have to point that out to him. Either way he should suck it up.
Doesn’t matter how much experience he’s had, the guy should be open to criticism with his collaborators. It might be because you guys are so young that he reacted the way he did. If your employer said to make these revisions he’d hop on it. All yous guys are working together to make the best product possible, he should be open to change.
As I interpret it, the way Josh reacted is his problem, he’s gotta do what’s gotta be done to make a good product. Unless you were a real dick about it. Were you a real dick about it?
I don’t think I was being a dick about it.
I sent him an email asking for his permission to critique his work (in other words, I didn’t just come right out and talk about the issues). My language was polite and professional and used a lot of smileys.
Some of the issues are practical and aesthetic (text that’s too small), some are mostly aesthethic, (stock photography that looks generic). Either way I was prepared to make constructive criticism, but his anger made me wonder whether or not it’s worth it.
It’s also kind of tricky because “Josh” volunteered to do this project. He’s not getting paid for it. So maybe he feels like it’s not worth his time to be revising?
that sounds like it might be spot-on. Volunteered and now is pissed it could take more time than he was prepared to give.
STILL HIS FAULT HE SHOULDN’T MAKE YOU FEEL BAD.