We share insights and strategies from artists and designers on embracing imperfection and finding freedom in the creative process.
Katy Cowan • September 2024
If you’ve ever had job interview training, you’ll probably have been warned to prepare for the question, “What are your weaknesses?” Some believe the best answer is “I’m a bit of a perfectionist”.
The idea is that you’re avoiding giving the interviewer anything to use against you. Because ultimately, no one really thinks perfectionism is a bad thing… right?
Wrong.
Because while the word is often used casually as shorthand for “doing a very good job”, it’s actually something quite different.
The American Psychological Association defines perfectionism as “the tendency to demand of others or of oneself an extremely high or even flawless level of performance, in excess of what is required by the situation. It is associated with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and other mental health problems”.
Quite.
It’s a bit like how, these days, the term OCD is now thrown around casually in conversation by people with no medical understanding of what it actually means. People might say, for example, that they alphabetise their books because they’re “a bit OCD”, which is quite a slap in the face for those who really do suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder; an incredibly debilitating condition causing significant distress, and making it difficult to function in society.
So, it is with perfectionism. Constantly striving to improve your skills and create the best work possible is not in any way unhealthy; in fact, that’s exactly how creative professionals should behave. When, however, an obsession with making your work “perfect” leads to creative paralysis, endless revisions, missed deadlines, procrastination, or work that never sees the light of day, that’s when you know you have a problem.
The appeal of imperfection
As collage, print, and surface designer Meg Fatharly puts it: “While the drive for excellence pushes you to refine your work and grow, it can also paralyse you with fear of failure or inadequacy. Imperfection allows for more spontaneity, experimentation and, most importantly, progress.”
Embracing imperfection might sound like a cop-out. But it’s actually the opposite. It means recognising that flaws and unique quirks often give creative work its character and appeal.
The history of creativity is littered with examples. For instance, as a teenager, Black Sabbath guitarist Tony Iommi lost the tips of the middle and ring fingers of his right hand in an accident at a sheet metal factory. This made it impossible to play the guitar properly. But he found a way to get around this by detuning the strings. This loosened them and made it easier to press down on them with his damaged hand.
The doom-laden drone he then produced was certainly “imperfect”, according to the standards of the time. But it gave Black Sabbath the unique sound that made them one of the biggest bands in the world and arguably launched the entire genre of heavy metal.
Focus on the process
What’s true for music applies to all areas of creativity. As Meg puts it: “Imperfection allows for more spontaneity, experimentation, and, most importantly, progress. Personally, embracing imperfection has helped me focus more on the process rather than the outcome, leading to more authentic and fulfilling work.”
In our Threads discussion on this topic, many told the same story. “There was a time when perfectionism was my curse,” reveals artist and illustrator Magdalena Pankiewicz. “It blocked me a lot and sometimes even discouraged me from working and drawing.
“However, six years ago, a difficult moment came in my life when I simply no longer had the energy for perfectionism. And despite that challenging experience, it was also very liberating. When I let go of control and stopped focusing on the result – the ‘perfect result’ – my creativity was reignited, and amazing commissions started coming my way.”
Practical tips for overcoming perfectionism
So, if you feel the pull of perfectionism, how do you move past it? Based on their personal experiences, here are some tips from members of the Creative Boom community.
1. Set time limits
“I balance perfectionism and completion by setting time limits for each work,” says illustrator Heather Zhou. This is a great idea, especially if you have an open deadline from your client because it forces you to prioritise and prevents endless tinkering.
2. Embrace the 90% rule
As motion designer Ryan Grandmaison puts it, “If I didn’t live by the 90% rule, I’d get nothing done. ‘90% is good enough.’ Only you are going to notice if the last 10% meets your standard of perfection.” (That last bit is key, by the way: yourstandards of perfection will never actually be the same as other people’s.)
3. Focus on progress, not perfection
Remember that each piece of work is a stepping stone. “I know I can’t make the perfect piece of art, write a perfect book, or make a perfect album,” reflects multidisciplinary creative Chris Spalton. “So why would I worry about pressuring myself to do so?
“What I can make,” he continues, “is an honest representation of my skills and ideas at any given moment; put it out, see what feedback I either get from others or reflect on myself and work to improve the next thing. The reaper is on all our backs; I haven’t got time to worry about perfection. I’ve got things to do.”
4. Reframe your perspective
Often, our “good enough” won’t just be enough for clients; it’ll delight them. So, what are we beating ourselves up for? “A mentor once told me that no one can see your expectation but you, and that helped me to reframe my perspective,” shares illustrator and graphic designer Shira Bentley. “Fifteen years on, I’ve learnt that my standards are so high so that if I think the work is good enough, my client will think it’s perfect.
5. Practice self-compassion
Remember that perfectionism is often rooted in generalised fear and worry. “This is something I learned this year,” says Tom Muller. “That perfectionism is an aspect of anxiety where one can feed the other. Which for me, personally, was a bit like a lightbulb moment.” So be kind to yourself and recognise that imperfection is part of the human experience… and often what makes art relatable and compelling.
You’re not alone
Ultimately, overcoming perfectionism is a journey, not a destination. It requires practice, patience, and a willingness to be vulnerable. By embracing imperfection, you’ll open yourself to new possibilities, greater creativity, and more fulfilling creative practice.
And remember, you’re not alone in this struggle: many other creatives have suffered from perfectionism, such as jewellery designer Elyse Torres. “This is a huge struggle for me, and something that I’ve come to recognise has stifled progress,” she reveals. “I try to remind myself that ‘done’ is better than ‘perfect’. As Ira Glass says, moving through a large volume of not-great work is the only way to close the gap between our vision and actual output.”
Resource: https://www.creativeboom.com/tips/how-to-beat-the-menace-of-perfectionism-in-your-creative-work/
