Feedback for creatives: how to give it

One of the most important steps in creating a video is feedback. By working together with our creative team we can optimize the time we’ll spend completing the changes to make sure you’re satisfied with the end result. Here’s how we see the feedback happening to ensure a positive and productive collaboration.

Be Specific

Broader comments can be interpreted differently by different people. Being specific about what you’re expecting to be changed and using as much details as possible goes a long way, but keep in mind that giving a feedback shouldn’t restrict the creative process of the team working on your video. Maybe consider replacing words like “something” or “this” or “maybe like that” with “the background color is too dark, I want the colour scheme to be more blue than red” for more efficiency. This way of phrasing the comments is more actionable and allow modifications to get done faster.

Be Organized

Giving an organized feedback in chronological order will help you avoid repetitions and overall confusion. Whether it’s in the script, the storyboard, or the illustration phase, mention where you want the changes to happen. Specify the paragraph or the frame without using complex wording that can be misleading. Moreover, when we talk about being organized it also means being consistent. Comments can’t contradict themselves and a second revision can’t disregard the first.

Keep it Short

Give the necessary information, no more no less. Combining all that feedback into one specific actionable list will allow work to run smoothly and rapidly. Be clear with specific edits and be accurate with your direction and describe what you like and what you don’t like. You can always offer your creative suggestions for direction but since we’re the experts you’ve intrusted with your idea, the last thing we want is for you to pay us and end up doing the job yourself.

 

Send References

Any supportive media that can help you express your thoughts are welcomed, and if you have a specific image or visual mood in mind share them with us. A little inspiration is always a good idea to understand the big picture.

 

Don’t Ask Too Many People for Feedback

We believe that the decision maker of the project should be involved from start to finish. By having too many opinions you risk diverting from the main objective of your video especially if you involve random members. Trusting your own judgment is what led you to work with us in the first place, so follow your instinct when it comes to the changes you want to make in the video and appoint key people that can give another point of you but still have the same end goal as you do in mind. Limit it to the relevant stakeholders.

Be Positive and Respectful

This is a classic case of needing to step back and ask yourself how you might feel if you receive a feedback in the same way you gave it. Comments shouldn’t feel like a personal attack, after all, our team works hard and with passion to make sure the final video is in-line with the vision you have for your brand.

Each design team and client partnership will have some things that work better for them than others, which is why we’ve created this video that explains how to send feedback when you’re working with creatives.