Comment by tomxor | Hacker News Reader

Comment by tomxor | Hacker News Reader

> I could happily edit a fast paced version of the video, only to find the next day that it feels jerky and difficult to follow. It’s baffling to see your own taste for rhythm change from day to day.

I've noticed this phenomenon with anything creative, stepping back is not always enough, you need to step away for long enough to have some perspective - Then if your opinion of your own work changes it's difficult to know if it's due to re-framing or because you've been exposed to other tastes in the interim... it's all a little maddening. I try to differentiate, it's important to know if your preference is fleeting, due to exposure to something of novelty, or something lasting.

Similarly with UI design, even within the "flat" era I see things oscillating back and forth, over-rounded buttons, over-squared buttons, over-rounded buttons, over-squared buttons, back and forth, Google does this constantly as if they can't make up their mind... is it just fashion? is the new black completely dependent on the previous black?

After a while It makes you think very little in life is objective, we are all part of this interwoven thread of culture giving context to all.

Can confirm. As a record producer I'll have days where my perception of the record I'm working on seemingly changes due to the weather. The same record can feel just right one day, and the next day will feel like it's dragging, and the next like it's flying by too fast.

Of course the common denominator in each case is me, so it seems to mostly be a matter of my perception changing. It's remarkable, and something I've still yet to put my finger on after all these years. I wish I had control over it. Stepping away from the project for days or weeks always helps me to see it in a new light, but I don't always have that luxury, and so cannot rely on it.

> stepping back is not always enough, you need to step away for long enough to have some perspective

This happens to me every time I make music. When I am working on a piece of music I gradually land on something, and it begins to sound good, and I keep listening to it on repeat and working on it and enjoying it.

A couple of days later I listen to it again and I realise that it is completely messy and unenjoyable to listen to, like always.

I still enjoy making music though. Even if the music only seems good in the moment.

Well actually there have been one or two exceptions, where a piece of music was actually enjoyable to listen to later, and I could genuinely be proud of it.

I have tried to take some classes to improve my music and it’s helped a bit. But I think that because it is a hobby and I don’t put in enough hours, it’s never going to be great. Hopefully I can have a few more songs that turn out really good though, even if most will be crap.

The same happens to me with photography and cooking. I like my stuff for a while but over time I see more and more flaws and start to almost hate them. Then I need to consciously take a step back to realize that maybe they aren't that bad. I think successful creators have a more stable taste so they can polish their stuff without getting discouraged.

It's more likely that successful creators feel exactly the same way you do about their outputs but have some process to either periodically re-evaluate projects vis a vis tastes or the ability to swallow their pride and put out something that's probably good enough. Otherwise they'd never get to the next thing(s) they're excited about.

It's a common sight to see creators malign their own amazing and successful projects as simplistic or off-base: the "if I only had more time..." phenomenon.

I have made many video games in my free time and usually after 6 months or so I start feeling that this is the worst video game I have ever played, it makes no sense and I cannot relate at all to the me that start working on it. Sometimes I look at them a year later and like (or love) them again. I agree it's maddening.

Yes, trends are the "era" you mention and fashion is the battle to be noticed within a trend.

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