The Subtle Art of Taste: A Pathway to Exceptional Work
In today’s creative landscape, simply functioning “as expected” is no longer enough. We’re surrounded by products, designs, and services that all meet a certain baseline of quality. So how can you ensure what you create truly stands out? It often comes down to taste—that almost indescribable quality that makes something not just good, but memorable.
Yet taste isn’t some mysterious gift you’re either born with or not. It’s a skill you can develop over time, much like learning a musical instrument. Below are a few ways to cultivate this vital, intangible asset.
1. Immerse Yourself in Exceptional Work
Just as language learners benefit from living in countries where the language is spoken daily, creators benefit from immersing themselves in top-tier examples of their craft.
- Study the Masters. Find industry experts and observe how they approach their work. Whether you’re designing apps, developing software, or writing prose, examine the details that make their projects shine.
- Explore Beyond Your Field. Sometimes inspiration comes from unexpected places. A software engineer can learn from architecture, a designer can learn from music composition. By exposing yourself to high-level artistry from different domains, you’ll sharpen your sense of what ‘excellence’ looks and feels like.
2. Ask “Why?” and Ask It Often
It’s easy to point at a slick website and say, “This is amazing,” but it’s far more productive to figure out why it’s amazing.
- Analyze Key Elements. Is there a clever user flow that keeps things intuitive? A color palette that sparks emotion without overwhelming the user? A piece of dialogue in a novel that feels startlingly real? Breaking these elements down adds depth to your creative toolkit.
- Stay Curious. If something feels “off,” don’t just say you dislike it—articulate what’s missing. Being specific about what works and what doesn’t will refine your ability to recognize quality across the board.
3. Practice Your Craft Relentlessly
Absorbing great ideas is only half the journey; the other half is applying them.
- Experiment and Iterate. Whether you’re writing blog posts or coding new features, the best way to grow is through trial, error, and iteration. Initial attempts may feel clumsy, but that’s a sign your eye is already discerning the gap between where you are and where you want to be.
- Seek Constructive Critique. Encouraging feedback is good, but thoughtful critique from skilled mentors or peers can fast-track your progress. This outside perspective may highlight blind spots you never knew existed.
4. Be Patient with the Process
Developing taste takes time. It’s an ongoing journey, not a milestone you achieve once and for all.
- Embrace Incremental Growth. Recognize that every iteration of your craft—be it a new design, a revised chapter, or an updated software feature—brings you closer to the level of quality you admire in others.
- Celebrate Small Wins. Notice those moments where your work starts to resonate the way you intended. These milestones confirm you’re on the right path, fueling your motivation to keep going.
In a world where consumers expect everything to function flawlessly, what sets creative efforts apart is the extra layer of polish and insight that comes from a well-developed sense of taste.
Cultivating this intangible quality is within your reach: immerse yourself in excellence, question why, practice consistently, and remember that mastery is a continuous journey. Over time, you’ll transform from someone who merely recognizes exceptional work into someone who consistently creates it.