There’s No Such Thing as Negative Feedback: Feedback is Feedback

Take my first internship working in web design for a tech startup for example. They would assign me to create new layouts or functions for their site. However, at this specific company, I would present my designs to the team, only to hear comments like,“You’re not doing it correctly,” or “I don’t think the design is what we want.” Sometimes, they’d say, “Just show me something, and I’ll tell you more.” That was it — no explanation, no guidance — just vague critiques that left me completely in the dark. I didn’t even know where to start making changes. At the time, I felt too embarrassed to ask follow-up questions. I thought I should already know how to fix things, so I stayed quiet. That misplaced shame kept me stuck in frustration, unable to grow because I had no idea how to move forward.

​

If you’ve ever found yourself in this situation, wondering if you’re the problem, consider this: maybe the issue isn’t you. Maybe the feedback you received was simply bad feedback. And more importantly– please, please, don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask follow up questions, it could be as simple as a “why?”

​

Differentiate “bad comments” and “negative feedback”.
 

Useless comments should not even be classified as feedback — they’re just that: comments. The real distinction lies in whether the input is constructive. Harsh feedback, though difficult to hear, can be incredibly valuable if it’s clear and actionable. It’s the ambiguous, vague comments that waste your time and energy, leaving you stuck without direction.
 

According to the Niagara Institute, bad “feedback” is vague, unconstructive, and sometimes even emotional. It offers no direction for improvement and often feels more like a personal critique than a professional one (Niagara). Comments like, “This design is not what we are looking for.” “This is not the direction we want to go, you are wasting my time!” leave designers in doubt and frustration, solving no issues and providing no path forward.
 

Negative feedback, on the other hand, might be challenging or uncomfortable to hear, but it’s valuable. According to Doist, an inspiration focused blogging site, when we stop hearing negative feedback at all, it “…can mean one of two things: Your work is good enough but you’re no longer developing your skills. [or] Your work is subpar and no one’s telling you (Doist).”
 

Negative feedback pinpoints specific problems and provides a clear foundation for actionable next steps. For instance, “This is not the direction we want to go- we want to focus on refining what we have right now rather than implementing new features ,” is specific and points you toward a solution. It may not be the praise you hoped for, and you may need to start over again, but it gives you the clarification of what you need to do and improve.

​

Benefits of receiving “negative” feedback

​

There’s no such thing as “negative” feedback — feedback is objective. The fact that you label feedback as negative is simply because it didn’t cater to your taste. If you want your clients, users, or team leaders to be objective about your design, you should also be objective about any feedback you receive. It’s important to be open-minded and recognize that feedback is an essential tool for growth, even if it feels uncomfortable at times.

​

Remember, you test to get feedback. If you’re only receiving compliments on your work, it’s time to worry. Compliments are great for boosting confidence, but they rarely lead to growth. If your design is being met with nothing but praise, you’re either not pushing boundaries or not inviting enough critique. Instead of worrying about critiques, the bigger question is: what and why don’t they like it? This inquiry is where the real learning begins.

​

Harsh feedback: when feedback is constructive and specific, plays a vital role in helping you identify blind spots and areas for improvement. Although it’s uncomfortable to hear, it’s this discomfort that reveals what needs to change. Embracing this type of feedback challenges you to step outside your comfort zone and grow. For example, while a comment like: “This design is not working because it doesn’t align with our user needs — let’s focus on revisiting the research findings before making any visual changes,” may be uncomfortable to hear, its feedback directs you back to the foundation of your work, highlighting areas you may have overlooked. It’s a crucial reminder to refocus on user needs and research, which can greatly impact the quality of the design moving forward.

​

Furthermore, negative feedback often pushes you toward better solutions. It might point out where your approach is misaligned with the project goals, but it frequently provides clear directions for improvement. Instead of leaving you in doubt, it encourages you to refine your solutions and rethink your approach, leading to more thoughtful, effective outcomes.

​

Embracing negative feedback also helps cultivate a growth mindset. Rather than seeing feedback as a personal attack, you can view it as a tool for self-improvement. Negative feedback shifts you from a fixed mindset, where you may feel defensive, to a growth mindset, where you actively seek ways to improve. Over time, this mindset becomes essential in honing your skills and becoming a better designer.

​

Ultimately, negative feedback helps identify gaps in your thinking and skills that you might not have noticed. Compliments or vague praise may boost your confidence but they rarely lead to true growth. Constructive criticism, though tough to hear, is necessary to refine your work and develop a stronger skill set.

​

So, what should we do when facing vague or unclear “comments?”

​

It’s also important to note that some people are simply inexperienced in giving out constructive feedback. They do not intend to be giving “bad comments,” so at times, it may require you to ask follow-up questions. Clarifying what’s missing or misunderstood can transform unhelpful comments into valuable, insightful and constructive feedback. Here are some examples of follow-up questions i usually use whenever I feel confused:

 

• Clarify priorities:
  When someone says, “This does not address our issues,” ask:
  “What are we primarily focusing on?”
  “What is the main goal?”
  This ensures everyone is on the same page about the direction and purpose.

​

• Probe for specifics:
  If someone says, “I don’t like your design,” ask:
  “Why do you not like the design?”
  “Which aspects do you dislike?”
  This transforms unconstructive feedback into actionable insights.
   

• Define expectations:
  “What are your expectations?”
  “What is missing from my design?”
  It helps set a clear framework for success and ensures alignment with stakeholders’ needs.

​​

Now we know what kinds of follow-up questions to ask, but let’s be honest — sometimes we still hesitate to speak up. Why is that? Often, it’s because we’re unsure how to approach the conversation when facing vague, unhelpful, or even blaming comments. It’s easy to feel intimidated or defensive, but navigating these situations with the right approach can turn them into valuable opportunities for collaboration and growth.

​

Here are my three practical tips to help you ask effective follow-up questions and make the most out of any feedback, no matter how challenging it may initially seem:

​

1. Focus on Solving the Issue Together

When you face unhelpful or slightly blaming comments, remind yourself — and your stakeholders — that the goal is to solve the issue, not to assign blame. Start by acknowledging their concerns and framing the discussion as a collaborative effort. For example, if a stakeholder says, “This isn’t working at all,” respond with something like, “I understand this isn’t meeting expectations. But what specific areas need to be improved?”

​

This shifts the conversation from criticism to problem-solving. It also empowers you to approach the comments with confidence, knowing that the focus is on finding solutions together rather than dwelling on what went wrong.

​

2. Keep Your Tone Respectful and Professional

When asking follow-up questions, your tone is critical. Maintain a calm, respectful, and professional demeanor, even if the feedback feels unfair or the stakeholder seems off track. A professional tone ensures that the conversation remains constructive and focused.

For example, during one of my projects, a stakeholder became fixated on minor visual details, overlooking a core usability issue. I calmly redirected the discussion by saying, “I see the color scheme is important, but I’d like to ensure we first address the usability concerns you mentioned earlier. Could we revisit those points?” This approach kept the conversation productive while gently steering it back on course.​ 

​

3. Set Clear Follow-Up Actions

​

To avoid miscommunication and ensure progress, always establish clear next steps. After clarifying the feedback, propose a timeline for revisions and a follow-up meeting to review your updates. For instance, you might say, “I’ll work on these revisions and have a draft ready by next Tuesday. Does that timeline work for you?”

Setting a timeline creates accountability on both sides and keeps the process structured. It also provides an opportunity to showcase how you’ve implemented their feedback.

​

Conclusion

​

As UX designers, it’s important to note the difference between feedback and comments. Feedback is something to embrace, while comments are something that you need to guide towards becoming feedback. While it may be uncomfortable at times to hear negative feedback, it allows us to grow in our fields and refine our work. And at times, it may be tough to bring up the fact that feedback is unhelpful, but as long as you stay respectful and focus on solving the issue together, it will be the beginning of a solution. 

​

​