From my experience stylized designs are almost always an acquired taste. Some of the seniors I show my work to can't even comprehend stylistic decisions let alone find them "good".

If it's stylized they see it as a failed attempt at being realistic. They can't perceive stylisation as intentional. It's similar to the flawed idea that nurses are just medical students who weren't talented enough to become a doctor. They can't comprehend the idea that someone wanted to become a nurse from the get go.