The art of taking feedback

Everyone dreads the sting of harsh criticism, but what if it’s the very thing you need to level up?

There’s a special kind of dread that comes with receiving feedback at university. Maybe your designs are deemed “too safe” in a group presentation, or your dissertation returns drenched in red ink. Perhaps your MA collection, the one you’ve poured a year of your life into, is met with a Miranda Priestly-esque “That, really?” – or worse, a silent purse of the lips.

No matter how thick-skinned you think you are, bad feedback has a way of lingering. And while the sting can leave you questioning whether you’ve designed a garment or a disaster, criticism – when delivered constructively – can help refine ideas and teach resilience in an industry where rejection is part of the fabric. It’s a trial by fire, but one that can leave you stronger, sharper and more prepared, as long as you’re equipped with the right tools and strategies to navigate it. So, how does criticism manifest, and how do you keep yourself from spiralling into a pit of self-doubt?