Detach From Your Work

“Ugly Baby Syndrome” is a term I first heard from an instructor in college. It meant you were so attached to your own work, you couldn’t see that it wasn’t perfect. Lucky for me, I never suffered from this; I always hated everything I created. :/

There was one student though, who had it bad. He was talented, but thought everything he made was fantastic, to the point where he would argue with instructors about how fantastic it was or how his logo concept “Did not look like a wheelchair sign!”.

It did.

I recently checked his portfolio and his work still looked the same as it did in college. Nine years later and it appears as though he hasn’t grown as a designer at all. That talented student with a lot of potential is now an industry veteran with a student level portfolio. His hot-headed quality cost him a lot, but I believe his biggest flaw was the “Ugly Baby Syndrome”— the inability to detach from his work and look at it clearly and with honesty.

“The lessons you are meant to learn are in your work. To see them, you need only to look at the work clearly— without judgement, without need or fear, without wishes or hopes. Without emotional expectations. Ask your work what it needs, not what you need. Then set aside your fears and listen.” — Art & Fear

No Fear In The Streets

What I admire most about street artists is they have no attachment to their own work. They couldn’t have, because it’s lifespan is so often so short. As soon as a piece is completed it is offered to the spray can jackals. Over time, other people will tag it, or paint over it completely. This new piece itself is likely one that is replacing something which came before it. And if it does happen to remain untouched, the natural elements of sun and rain will beat it to pieces anyway. (Unless it’s preserved behind plexiglass which happens with works of Blek le Rat or Banksy.)

There is only time for the enjoyment of doing it, the fulfillment of completing it, a photo and the hope that another piece of work is ahead. They have no other option than to detach from their work because if they don’t, the inevitable demise of it would be emotionally destroying.

There are no ugly babies on the streets. Most Designers I know are actually good at receiving criticism, but there are others who cannot plainly see what is in front of them and would do themselves well to be more like a street artist.

If you ask me how to accomplish that, I’m not certain, but I would recommend 2 things. First, check yo’self. If you think the work you’re doing is really great, ask if it’s really great compared to the best work you know of, or are you just the most talented in the room?

Secondly, and this is my favorite: Spend a few days making something, preferably on paper. Really dig in and put a lot of effort into it, making sure it’s something you’re proud of working hard on. Then, throw that shit in the trash. Don’t take any photos for the ‘grams or anything like that, make it not exist! Then do it again. And again, until you’re able to spend a lot of time on something and not feel feelings when it’s destroyed. Then, taking criticism from someone should be easy.

Good luck out there.