The Creative Shift : When Sharing Your Work Feels Like Shouting into the Void (or Worse, an Insult)
I recently shared a blog post on Severance’s aesthetic in the r/graphic_design subreddit, hoping to contribute to the discussion and maybe even get some feedback. Instead, the only comments I received were:
“Not taking advice from someone with ugly font choices.”
“That website is terrible.”
That was it. No critique, no engagement—just two blunt dismissals from internet strangers. And honestly? It got to me. Not because I think every comment on Reddit is gospel, but because when you’re actively putting in the work to improve, refine your craft, and share your perspective, getting hit with outright rejection (or worse, vague insults) can shake your confidence.
Rejection in Creative Spaces Hurts—Even When It’s Meaningless
I’d love to say I brushed it off immediately, but the truth is, it sat with me. It made me question things:
Am I actually talented, or am I just faking it?
Is my website really terrible?
What if my font choices are actually ugly?
Am I wasting my time trying to establish myself in this space?
That’s the thing about negativity—it doesn’t have to be thoughtful or well-reasoned to hit where it hurts. And even though I know a single Reddit comment doesn’t define my worth as a designer, it still triggered those lingering self-doubts that so many creatives struggle with.
Seeking Validation in the Wrong Places
Reddit can be a great place for inspiration, but it can also be an echo chamber where blunt opinions are rewarded over thoughtful critique. And in creative fields, the way people consume content online doesn’t always align with the effort it takes to make something. A lot of people scroll, judge in half a second, and move on.
But here’s the reality check I had to give myself:
One random person’s comment isn’t an authority on design. If they had actual, constructive feedback, they would’ve given it. Dismissing my work in a single sentence tells me nothing about what I could improve—it only tells me they weren’t my audience.
My worth isn’t tied to how Reddit reacts. If I measured my value as a creative based on how internet strangers respond to my work, I’d never create again. The real validation comes from the people who connect with my work, whether that’s clients, fellow artists, or people who simply enjoy what I make.
Rejection doesn’t mean failure. It’s easy to take silence (or negativity) as proof that I’m doing something wrong, but more often, it just means I haven’t found the right audience yet.
What I’m Taking Away from This (Instead of Just Frustration)
I could let this experience discourage me from posting in that subreddit again, or from sharing my work in general—but I won’t. Instead, here’s what I’m choosing to take from it:
Reddit isn’t the right space for everything. Some platforms are better suited for discussion and feedback than others. If I’m looking for thoughtful critique, I’ll seek out spaces that foster that—not ones where snark gets upvoted.
I’m still learning, and that’s okay. If my fonts or website do need improvement, I’ll adjust them on my terms—not because someone threw an insult at me, but because I’m committed to growing as a designer.
I’m building something bigger than one post. This was one attempt to engage in a space. It didn’t land. That doesn’t mean my work as a whole is invalid or that I should stop putting myself out there.
To Anyone Who’s Had Their Work Dismissed Online
If you’ve ever shared something you were proud of and been met with silence—or worse, a wave of negativity—you’re not alone. And if you’re questioning whether you’re good enough, let me remind you:
The fact that you’re creating at all puts you ahead of the people who only critique.
Your work will resonate with the right audience—you just have to keep going.
Your value isn’t determined by the most dismissive person in the room.
This won’t be the last time I deal with rejection, but instead of letting it derail me, I’m choosing to see it as proof that I’m trying. And that? That’s worth more than any Reddit comment.