Found this from an instructor (art) for my next class. Since some of us really WANT critiques - good, bad, whatever - I thought maybe it might help. I hope no one minds me posting it here. It's on design and classroom learning, but I think it applies.
FYI - on another site (not cake) we have a separate "Critiques" forum, for honest critiques above and beyond "good job" comments for those who want pats on the back. Those comments are GREAT, and help us keep going, but sometimes we need someone to tell us the bad so we can improve.
Why aren't you comfortable giving criticism to your peers?
Although it isn't true of everyone, It's usually because we aren't sure why or how to verbalize our thoughts and feelings in a way that is clear and meaningful. This little bit of text is meant to help you with that. (By the way, the other main reason is that people are trying to be too kind and not wanting to hurt someone's feelings. Get over that. Some folks are going to get their feelings hurt or be offended because you have brown eyes. We serve one another best in the classroom by being honest and clear.)
Really, in critiques, we should all be thinking that "Why" question. The answer is found in those basic elements and principles of design.
Think of it like this:
The Principles of Design-
Balance, Variety, Unity, Emphasis, Proportion, Rhythm
The Elements of Design-
Line, Shape, Space, Texture, Color, Mass
Now you may have had a teacher who used different terms or who called contrast an element etc. etc. I'm not saying that teacher was crazy or wrong, they simply subscribe to a different aesthetic theory or philosophy. (Perfectly acceptable, in fact encouraged, in an academic setting) Regardless of your previous experience, I think this basic way of looking at things still holds water.
Now, think of all of your critiques in these terms. For example, you might make a statement such as this " I really like Timmy's design". Or you might say "Timmy's design looks thoughtless and juvenile." In any case, although the latter sounds harsh, both statements are acceptable only if they are backed up with answers to the question "why?" If the statement is followed by an answer to the "why", then we are really showing that we understand design and we are helping Timmy to become a better designer.
For example, if you say "I don't like Timmy's design because it lacks unity. The evidence that this is true is found in the fact that the lines are curvy and elegant, conveying the idea of femininity, while the colors are olive, grey, and dark blue, conveying a sense of masculinity. These two elements are disrupting the principle of unity". This becomes a powerful and engaging statement for Timmy, which he can address by changing the work. He is then armed with the facts that he needs to help him design better. Thus, you have helped Timmy... even if his feelings are hurt.
Basically, you can say anything, positive or negative, as long as you can back it up with facts.
Hope this helps!
Nichole[/quote]
At the risk of getting flamed...I happen to agree with your post.
I'm sometimes conflicted when I read posts asking for an "honest" critique. In the past I've given my "honest" opinion only to be chastised for it. I'm never sure just what the poster wants..and honest opinion or a dishonest one that will make them feel better. 
..so many times I don't bother posting at all, even though I think I might be able to help the poster, in the long run.
I think it is wrong NOT to give an honest opinion, when asked for it. It breaks my heart, when I see glowing compliments and the OP is wondering why they aren't getting orders. Is that fair to the person who is asking for help?
People invest alot of time and money into cake decorating. Many will try their hardest and will fail. That is just part of business and this business, like many others, is not for everyone and certainly not for the feint of heart. Customers can and will be cruel, especially when they are paying for a service and don't feel they got what they paid for.
I agree that everyone who is learning needs to hear what they have done right. But they also need to know what they are doing wrong and how they might correct it. Sometimes people aren't open to that kind of honesty and feelings get hurt.
So I, like many others, will keep my mouth shut and only lend a hand when asked. Period. And that is a shame. I enjoy this site and have learned so much from everyone and would love to give back, when I can. 
Nicely said IHATEFONDANT! I totally agree w/ you.
A while ago I posted a forum " Critique my website pls", and I got one honest reply, and i was so thankful. I also give my honest brutal opinions here in CC, but not to the point of hurting or humiliating the person.As what the saying goes: "If you dont have anything nice to say, then dont say anything at all."
i completely agree with this idea. i really think they are such a great way to learn about yourself and what you can improve on. we would usually have to critique the work with an explanation as to why and then give a suggestion on how to improve on it. the artist can use the suggestion or not but it really opens everyone's eyes to different viewpoints and ideas.
a critique forum on CC would be a great idea. it would be totally voluntary so the members who put themselves 'out there' to be critiqued know what they're going to get... HONESTY. good and bad.
if we can't have a separate forum, maybe we could have an unwritten rule to start the post title with the word CRITIQUE.
This is just my opinion, but I don't think CC could handle a critiques forum. It seems like everyday threads are locked left and right because someone was offfended about something. It didn't used to be that way! Things can turn nasty quick and that forum seems like it would be a disaster. It's too bad thought, because I think it could be helpful. Sometimes I wonder if people posting are really wanting a critique, or just a pat on the back.
IHATEFONDANT- well written, thank you!
Mala- don't think I saw that post. Did you still need critiques?
cakerator- LOVED in-class critiques! I am online currently, but we use jpeg and gif to post. Honestly helps, and we learn from each other better when we can trust "it's great" instead of wondering if it was meant or not. The "why" part is very important. Tell me it's good or horrible, either way, but tell me WHY.
I agree that some posters wouldn't be able to handle a critique forum. Too many ordinary threads get locked as it is.
I also agree that too many people are complimenting what looks nice on a cake, and not addressing things that could help the artist. I get a lot of "nice handwriting" comments. I appreciate that. But tell me if there's something I could improve on too. It's only going to help me down the line. I like the idea earlier that if you post an honest opinion, include the why you don't like something and a suggestion as to how you should fix it. I have learned so many tricks on this site, but only because they were posted on a thread or attached to a picture in the gallery. You get the light bulb sometimes. "Ooooooh, that's how you do it." 
If someone starts a thread that says "Please be honest", they are going to get honesty--some of it brutal. 
And they need to be ready for anything, but be thick skinned enough to realize that people are trying to help. I don't think there's anyone here who would deliberately hurt anyone's feelings. I'd like to think we're all here to help one another. 
I think the problem is that some people can't deliver a good well meant critique and some people can't handle it.
I was over the moon when someone gave me a good, constructive idea to improve the gerbera on one of my cakes. I loved that, that is how I learn!
But also, sometimes it is nice to just post a cake you are proud of and get nice comments without the "unpleasant" ones. Because, that is what you are: proud!
So the point must be that if you want to learn, ask for it, and if you see people asking for it, be very counsious about how you deliver your opinion. If people are just showing off, play along. We know our faults all too well already.
*in hopes of not sounding too b**chy* 
You are all so right. There are a lot of times that I want to say something that I think would make a difference to someone's cake but then I have to wonder what will it actually "sound" like when the other person is reading it. I've posted several cakes in order to get opinions and that is just what I got. At first glance, I stepped back and kind of said well isn't this person picky but I also realize that the comments are not made to hurt my feelings but are instead made to help me which is what I initially asked for. I think that I have a very thick skin and welcome any comments, good or bad that can help me in what I have chosen to do as a craft. I do believe that the majority of the people here can accept constructive criticism without any negative feelings. I looked at a member's website once just to see her beautiful cakes and noticed that something was misspelled. While I wasn't sure of what the person's reaction would be, I pm'd her and the gratitude brought tears to my eyes. I felt that if it were my website I would want to know even if it was something that may be inconsequential to another person. O.K. I guess I better go to bed now I seem to be very emotional tonight. LOL!!!!!!
Dear Mala,
I am sorry to read that you had such a poor response to your request for a critique of your website.
It is unfortunate that, because of the number of threads and posts per day that come through CC, we do not always get the opportunity to offer a response.
If the does not get any responses, it will fall into the View Unanswered Posts. I try to go into this section at least once a day, and answer questions.
If you would still like critiques of your website, please post the link in this thread, and we will be more than happy to accommodate you.
Theresa
I would love to havea critiqu forum. Being that I just starting decorating less than a year ago this would be very helpful. I would rather get the bad news online where someone could be honest with me than face to face with someone I am trying to sell a cake to. So I give this idea a . But like you said there MUST be a why! Just telling me I don't like the color isn't going to help me any
I noticed a thread here once, and the person posting was asking for an honest opinion about her cake. Everyone was just glowing with praise, and it was a very nice cake. I liked it, too, but there were a few things that I would have done differently. I posted to her that a) her work was very nice, and b) I appreciated the choices she had made. I then let her know that there were a couple of things I would have done differently (perhaps used a multi-hole tip for the grass, with short strokes, and maybe using multiple green colors and a little yellow in the bag to give more depth). Several people [rather vasciously] commented that I was mean to her! Boo hoo!
I did receive a lovely PM from the original poster that she appreciated my comments because she was hoping to find out other techniques that would help her to be more versatile. That made me feel better.
My point? That I told her that her work was nice (and it truly was), but I made some constructive and helpful suggestions that would make the design appear differently the next time she might want to make it. We can ALL learn something, even if it's just that our work is pretty amazing. I simply want to help when it's requested without being villified. Is that so wrong??? 
Anyway,
Happy Baking,
Odessa
As a retired teacher, one thing about good criticism is it is very difficult to do well. First, you really have to know what the problem is. Then you have to clearly explain the problem; and if you can, give suggestions to correct the problem. And sometimes even well done constructive criticism is hard to take.
Odessa- Not wrong in the least!
I have seen multiple posts where people are frustrated from not getting honesty. As I've written before, I am doing my own wedding cake (SMALL wedding) and know I need to improve. "Nice job" postis are just that, nice. But if someone knows they need to improve, they want WHAT, HOW, and WHY so that they CAN improve. Narie gave some good advice on giving the critiques. We all have some "I'm proud" posts, and those are fine, too, and should be taken as such. But, if you ask for honesty, you expect honesty. Or, at least as far as we can tell on this side of the screen.
Sorry so long
I want an honest open critique and I ask for just that in my description of all my cakes! But it is difficult for people who haven't been in some creative venue and don't know what they should comment on, perhaps we should post a "Critique How To".
.......Maybe the following info, along with the other guidelines posted earlier in the thread such as commenting on Description, Interpretation, Analysis (i.e. line, color, texture, form, space, shape and value), and Judgement (i.e. what does this cake say to you?) would help..........
Giving critique
Giving critique requires tact! To start with, avoid all of the responses from "bad critique". Never make a personal comment; never get angry or be dismissive of the persons work. Before you comment, think about how you would feel if someone else was saying it to you.
Remember though, not everyone is a good critiquer. How do you tell good critique from bad?
Bad critique is personal. If a critiquer says "your ideas are stupid" or "you can't decorate", you can stop reading. Personal statements have no place in critique.
Bad critique is also vague. "I didn't like it." "It wasn't designed well." Why? If they don't know, then they can't help you.
Bad critique is dictatorial. "You need to pipe your roses this way." The person telling you to "do it this way" is saying, "Decorate the way I do.
Other things to avoid writing:
"That's great!"
"I like it."
"Wow."
Non-specific comments such as these, while great for the ego, are not helpful. If you honestly liked and it could not find one, single piece of criticism, then at least say why. Be specific.
In the end, the most important thing to remember is to be honest. Saying you enjoyed something when you didn't is no help at all. Not commenting because you are embarrassed, or don't want to "be picky", is also no help. What you are doing when you critique is helping the creator make their piece the best it can be.
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%