This guy at a design meetup in Austin said my portfolio looked 'too safe'

We were at a small gallery event last month, just talking shop. He pointed at my poster series and said, 'It's clean, but it's like you're scared to break a rule.' He didn't even suggest a fix, just left it hanging. I've been overthinking every layout since. Anyone else get a random critique that just stuck in your head?

3 comments

3 Comments

avery_flores11d ago

Ever notice how people love to point out a problem but never have a solution? It happens everywhere, like when someone says a song is boring but can't name a better one, or calls a meal bland but can't cook. That guy gave you a vague feeling, not real feedback. It's easy to criticize when you don't have to help fix it. I'd only worry about opinions from people who actually want to help you improve.

rowan_barnes11d ago

What's his portfolio look like, a ransom note?

thomas_butler11d ago

Honestly, my own portfolio probably looks like a ransom note put together by a very confused kidnapper. A blurry photo of a fence I did in 2018, a weirdly cropped screenshot of a website from before I knew how to take a screenshot, and a logo I made in MS Paint. It gets the point across, but it's not winning any awards.