' Great Build ' awards, a good thing or ....

[john i am]

I agree with Patrick here, yes it is good to sometimes just click the build and some folks builds we don't have the superlatives to describe anyway, but maybe spending a bit of time with considered criticism would be good too, if we have the time - I'm as guilty as the next for clicking. Mind you I have yet to post any build shots - all you have seen from me is stash so I'm a find one to talk

Yeah Neil but some of your input is funny

[Guest]

Nice article Patrick which i think has made us all think.

Have to admit I sometimes search my soul on how I should comment. It is most difficult as there is such a wide variance of expertise. How do I evaluate between superb and that is the best that chap has produced. Do you give a gong for perfection under perfection and tried hard and produced his best to date.The answer is you cannot evaluate.

Beauty of this forum is that we all rub along together happily ( I know I am a bit of a nuisance at times but mean well and speak as I see ). I should leave things well alone as we will all do as we see and as our characters determine. You cannot ask for more than that. After all we are all individualistic characters who have our own ideas and long may that continue as I like it that way.

laurie

[Guest]

I like them, as a newb its easy for me to dish em out, because all the builds look great to me, and some of them are just plain stunning, but i can only give out the same gong to each, BUT, when i finally finish my first model, i would prefer honest critism And a good effort gong...... I see a great build gong as a goal, the standards set here are really good, gives me something to aim for.

[flyjoe180]

There is the 'Like' button if you don't want to award a 'Great Build'. I've had to deal with debriefing and criticising people throughout my career. It doesn't have to be the nasty criticism that the name implies. Criticism takes many forms.

There is the blunt "You've done better" or "That is crap". Not friendly, ideal, or constructive and certainly not conducive to maintaining a friendly community, nor the confidence of the poster.

There is the middle of the road comment from someone who wishes not to offend,has no experience with the topic being presented, or is indifferent but feels the need to post out of politeness. I think many of us use this often, but it is not always to the benefit of the posting modeller's strive to improve.

Then there is the constructive criticism which ends with the positive, as all good debriefings should. I personally am more likely to heed someone's advice if they own it. "In my opinion, I think you could enhance your model tank by adding some chipping to the turret", or "In my experience with this kit you could add some chipping to the turret which would add more realism to it", or "May I suggest you take a look at my build, you'll see I added chipping using a pencil to the turret which has brought some more realism to the model". The post may be ended with something like "Overall a clean build with excellent paint work. With the extra weathering as I suggested this could transform a good finish into an excellent model". This encourages and yet has left the modeller with some informative ideas to ponder and improve on.

We have the power to influence replies when we post our finished kits. Adding "Comments and criticism are welcome" opens the door to others to make open, constructive, and honest comments.

As for the Great Build gong, as has been said there are many variations on why each of us would award one. Beauty in the eye of one modeller is going to be different to beauty in another's. Photos can have an effect. The kit itself may have an effect. Some models are weathered and realistic in every sense. Some are factory fresh in appearance, because that is how the modeller likes to pose their kits. It comes down to what you think. If you are prone to thinking that a negative reply is appropriate, then don't post, simple as that.

This is the friendliest place in model land, that's why I'm here.

[Guest]

I like them, as a newb its easy for me to dish em out, because all the builds look great to me, and some of them are just plain stunning, but i can only give out the same gong to each, BUT, when i finally finish my first model, i would prefer honest critism And a good effort gong...... I see a great build gong as a goal, the standards set here are really good, gives me something to aim for.

Amos I think that you have said it all. It is as you I and all the rest see it through our own eyes.

Laurie

[Guest]

Back to what I said earlier the important point is to comment with 'respect' and everything else should fall into place.

[Guest]

There's always the Creative gong if all else fails

[eddiesolo]

I am sure that this kind of thread has appeared before and to me bringing it up again is a good thing, so thank you Patrick-I think it makes us stop and think-this forum is so cosy that we take it and members for granted sometimes and just bumble along so something like this gives us important wake up call...mines for 8am by the way.

SI

[Alan 45]

We could be opening up a can of worms here , this site has a friendly club atmosphere, one thing I've witnessed is things change when the natural balance is upset we saw this about a year ago when someone complained about something they didn't like

One thing I know is that the human race is a very critical race and what might start off with constructive comments could very well change to elitism and rivet counting in a very short time

I think it should be down to the person who posted the thread to ask and then it opens up the option to help that person or not

If we go down the critiquing when ever root it could change this is a happy site and the best site lets not change that

[PaulTRose]

personally i like it..........this is the only forum i go on that has anything like it and i think its a great idea

sometimes i just dont have the time or even the energy to write a comment when i view someones work so i give it a great build medal, just so the builder knows i do at least appreciate the work they have done

its also nice to see against your own builds, certainly dont think they add any 'competitivness', for me its a desire to do even better to make sure my work is actually worthy of the gongs

id definatly miss it if it was taken away

[Guest]

No one Alan has considered that any member should, and I know of none while I have been near six years in this place, criticize another members work unless helpful advice (a better expression than constructive criticism which in itself is negative) is asked for by the member whose model it is. This is not a matter of principal it is a subjective view, a passing on of experience help and imagination for a persons work. Let us face it we all ask for help on this and that and it is no different when presenting your finished piece.

On a matter of principal, which is a matter entirely different and removed from the above, all men have the right of course to put their view and to be listened to and receive contra argument. Not to do would be contrary to our nature, as you have mentioned Alan, and the freedom of democracy which others have worked hard for us to make use of. I do and always will use that right. There is as always the fear that you make yourself unpopular but that is a far lesser evil than not being honest with your inner self. So matters of principal and their arguments are not a threat to any good organisation, such as this, they are its life blood. Desert that principal then all is doomed.

As the great man said.

Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.

Winston Churchill

Laurie

[Guest]

I kind of agree with most of what has been said on both sides, I never seen the gongs as a competitive thing maybe just the way I think, I award the gong for what I think is a great effort, not particularly the perfect model, which is subjective anyway, I would hope if someone wants to offer constructive criticism on any of my builds that they please do, this is how we improve, a lot of it will depend on the personality of the person whose model is being viewed. I feel most of the guys on here will happily listen to constructive comments and be able to discuss them.

[aaron]

I really want to be told if something on my build looks crap.

I really want to know what works and what doesn't.

I'm an adult and can handle constructive criticism as I believe it helps to improve.

Are there sites that do this?

I like the great build icon, if all the good stuff has been said.

[Guest]

For me personally I really appreciate written comments given, but sometimes we only receive/give too little comments and over use GB Medal.

[The Migrant]

Over on the ARC forum they have two separate sub-forums for finished models. One's a regular gallery where people upload their model pics and other people post comments, much like this site; the other forum is for critique, so if you genuinely want constructive criticism of your model that's where you post, and everyone is free to pitch in with (hopefully) helpful comments. Seems to work fairly well, and the vast majority of respondents are diplomatic and encouraging with their feedback.