Design and Art: Are They the Same?
November 11th, 2009 by Tweet
What is design? What is art? Are they one in the same? Are they mutually exclusive? The worlds of arts and design, and what they signify, was something I was wanted to delve into and explore more deeply, after someone just recently called me an “artist.” I have never thought of myself as an artist, because I recognize myself as a designer. Thus, I immediately corrected the person; by saying I was not an artist, but rather a designer. The next logical question which proceeded was, “what is the difference between the two?” I was able to create a reasonable explanation on a whim, but it did spur my curiosity to explore and ponder the question more fully. Now, to be truly honest, I think this is one of those issues that could be argued for years and years and never really resolved; however, at the same time, it is a topic that I think is worth discussing.
In my opinion, art and design are not one in the same, but I also do not feel as though the two are worlds apart. I do not identify myself as an artist, because what I do is design, construct, and build; whereas, I see artists are those innately talented people who create, express, and imagine. Now, it is not to say that when I design that I do not also create, express, and imagine, but the difference is I do it with different parameters and specifications.
Let’s start by exploring the definitions of design and art. According to Webster Dictionary, the definition of design is to “create, fashion, execute, or construct according to plan.” On the other hand, they say that the definition of art is “the conscious or unconscious use of skill and creative imagination especially in the production of aesthetic objects; also, works so produced.” If you look at those two definitions, two main elements stands out, and that is that designing consists of a plan and art seems to be more emotion and less thought. Moreover, art clearly says it requires skill, which one can assume to mean natural talent, and design is something can can be learned.
Well, like I said, this is not an issue I can come up with a definitive conclusion on; rather, I am really merely thinking out loud. However, I was able to come up with some elements of art and elements of design that I will explain below to help to understand what each one really signifies and represents. Now these elements are not mutually exclusive, in my opinion, but rather I am placing the element under the category I think it best fits. If you would like to expand on this issue, please feel free! It is a very interesting topic to me, and I hope you enjoy it as well!
What is Art?
Expression
Art to me represents expression of the emotion or feeling of the artist, and it seems like one of the main purposes of art is to express. Art is an outlet, rather than a means to an end. An example of this is Monet and Munch, who are expressionist artists. They did not want the viewer to get a particular result from their paintings; rather they merely painted their own expression.
Comprehension Not Important
With art, I feel that the artist usually does not care whether the viewers understand what it is they are trying to convey. Rather, the art, like I said above, is an expression of the artist’s emotion that must be expressed for the artist to articulate their sentiment. But, the artist does not, nor does the viewer; consider the piece of work a failure if the comprehension of the sentiment is not understood.
Not for Profit
Most work that I consider art is purer in that it was usually not done for the purpose of profit. Most artists I know say that they paint, write, or draw because they have to. They have a creative muse in them that requires them to create, and if that creation is ultimately sold, then ever better. However, in my experience that is usually not the primarily goal.
Audience Plays Less of a Role
When an artist creates something, they usually do not consider the target audience, and whether they will appreciate the piece. Rather, the audience is anyone who ultimately experiences the art, and not any person in particular.
Subjective
Art is subjective as to whether it is good art or bad. The famous saying, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” applies to art perfectly. One person may look at a piece of art and feel it is amazing and another might be appalled. Essentially art is limitless as to what is indeed good quality art.
What is Design?
Communication
Unlike art, where you are just trying to express, with design, the designer is truly trying to communicate some sort of idea, feeling, or opinion. If the design does not communicate, or if communicate is misunderstood, the design is not successful.
Audience Driven
Whether it is logo design, graphic design, or web design, the audience is one of the main elements you must consider as a designer. Rather than just creating for the sake of creating, as a designer, you are creating to please your audience. Therefore, in design, the audience is an integral part of the equation.
Commercial
When I think of design, I think of commercialized art. Try to think of all design from industrial design, to graphic design, to interior design, and they all have one thing in common; design is essentially art that goes one step rather, which is to make your audience happy and in the end get paid for your work. Some even say that design is the less pure version of art, or that designers are the sellouts, though I do not see it that way.
Problem Solving/Planning
With design, you must be able to problem solve in order to create something that fits into certain specifications or project plan. If design, you are given a project and you are expected to create something that communicates an idea, resonates with the audience, and is aesthetically pleasing, all while following specific project stipulations. Now that takes a lot of planning before the design can even begin.
Limitation
Unlike art, unfortunately designers are often limited as to what they can create. For the above mentioned reasons, it is easy to see that designer is often limited, and thus is usually constructing and building rather than truly creating.
Objective
Design is objective, so it is easier to determine whether it is good or bad. When you look at design, you can immediately say whether the design is aesthetically pleasing and easy to understand, or if it is poorly constructed and unsuccessful. The reason this is the case is because design follows rules, best practices, and elements. Design fits into a category, and depending on which category it is, it is simple to determine whether that design is good or not, by seeing if it follows those specifications.
I hope you enjoyed my discussion of art and design. Feel free to continue the discuss in the comments section!
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Teylor Feliz is a well-known XHTML/CSS/JavaScript enthusiast from Dominican Republic. He has more than 10 years experience in the computer programming, graphic design, and web development world, including 2 years teaching computer science. Teylor has a degree in Applied Sciences from the University of Louisiana and is completing a Master’s degree in IT with a concentration in Web Design and Development, at the University of Denver.
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I’ve always thought of the two practices as exclusive.
Art is completed for it’s own sake. To be proclaimed as art it must have no other purpose than itself.
The purpose of design is communication.
The lines can be blurred when the ‘art’ of a design can begin to override it’s intended message, making it a bad piece of design.
This is the distinction that I’ve always used.
A small note.
The idea that art is only “Not for Profit” was a old Romantic concept.
This problem was debated at length, because discern art from non-art is a problem of Idealism.
I would simply remember that all the artist pre-romantic as well as (at random) Giotto, Raphael, Duerer, Michelangelo, Holbein, Leonardo, Rubens, Rembrandt, Turner etc. worked for profit & for art.
Art is work (as say Milton Glaser). (In Latin, “Ars” is like “techné” in old Greek).
Sincerely,
sm
Sorry, it was written too quickly.
A small note.
The idea that art is only “Not for Profit” was a old Romantic concept.
This problem was debated at length, because discerning art from non-art is a problem of Idealism.
I would simply remember that all the artists pre-romantic as well as (at random) Giotto, Raphael, Duerer, Michelangelo, Holbein, Leonardo, Rubens, Rembrandt, Turner etc. worked for profit & for art.
Art is work (as says Milton Glaser). (In Latin “Ars” is like “techné” in old Greek).
Sincerely,
sm
Great article but there are a few things I would disagree with: “art clearly says it requires skill, which one can assume to mean natural talent, and design is something can can be learned”. I agree it requires skill, but it doesn’t come down to natural talent. It comes down to sheer practice and can be learned. I couldn’t draw for toffee last year. I drew a face much like most people would – very childlike – but with sheer hard practice and lots of teaching, I am now termed an artist and am now studying art at college. The difference is that most of whom we regard as having natural talent have been practising and observing since they were children. It’s a craft and not god given and anyone can learn it, but they need the desire.
You also said “In design, you are given a project and you are expected to create something that communicates an idea, resonates with the audience, and is aesthetically pleasing, all while following specific project stipulations”. This also applies to art. Many artists work to commission and are given specifications and parameters within which they must work. In college, this is what we have to do for every single project. We can’t just create for the sake of it. We must come up with an initial idea, whether given to us or we think of ourselves, then we must develop those ideas, research them, gather all our information, and then communicate those ideas. There has to be a logical flow to them, and must be able to be demonstrated without words, so that the viewer knows exactly how we came up with those ideas. Therefore, art is not created just for its own sake. Sometimes it is, but in lots of instances it’s not. I think it is very difficult to sort out the difference between art and design, since the lines so often blur. What one man thinks is good design, another may hate, and that equally applies to art. Thank you for a great article though.
I agree on this part: “I do not identify myself as an artist, because what I do is design, construct, and build; whereas, I see artists are those innately talented people who create, express, and imagine… …I do it with different parameters and specifications.
The lines are thin. Great designers become grander artists and artists do make wow design!
There was a TV show that exposed members of the public to modern artists work and got reactions. A very blunt Yorkshireman pointed at a very abstract work and scornfully asked “What’s that about, then?” The artist sorrowfully replied “If I could describe it, I would not have to paint it”. That for me is the nub, If you can describe it …
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Great article…
Did you agree that a great art can be made by designer. But sometimes, not all artist can provide a great design.
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@ Ken Reynolds: I love the idea that “The lines can be blurred when the ‘art’ of a design can begin to override it’s intended message, making it a bad piece of design.” Great point. Thanks for the comment.
@Sergio Momesso: Very true that some artists did turn a profit for their work, I was merely emphasizing that most art is done for the sake of the art, while just about 100% of design is done for profit. Thanks so much for the comment. Very insightful!
@ Heather: Thanks for the comment. I like your point that skill can be learned. I guess I saw it from a different view, but I like your angle on it!
@Edgar Leijs: Thanks for the comment! Glad you enojoyed the article!
@David Cox: Very cool comment. I love the quote, “If I could describe it, I would not have to paint it”. Thanks!
@hittenmit: I completely agree with your point, because the purpose of design is to communicate, and there are times when viewers have no idea what the art represents or expresses, so it cannot be design. Thanks again for the comment!
I want to comment that in “art”, design is referred to as the placement of objects within a canvas.
And web design in my opinion is similar: you place the elements of a website towards a purpose. And I think that’s what design is about.
Designers are people who solve problems. Design extends beyond visual design; architects and engineers may also be considered “designers.” As to the dictionary definition, design, I suppose you may say, is the process of planning a solution to a problem.
Artists(as in painters/drawers/etc) are people who create visually appealing work. Artists utilize design to tackle a basic problem in their work: making the placement of objects more than arbitrary.
Well, that’s my take on design and art anyways. As both a hobbyist web designer AND a color pencil artist, I have thought about this alot in my own time. Your article was very interesting to me, and I was glad to stumble upon it! ^^
@shadowfiles,
Great insight! I love you point of view on the subject! I am glad you enjoyed the article! Thanks for the comment.
An artist and designer definitely are two different concepts, one could say, but I don’t think such black and white distinctions can be made. Because both are so closely related, the lines often blur between the two so that a person can be both an artist and a designer at the same time. Although, I tend to agree that a designer must follow much more strict rules and keep their audience in mind, while an artist has much more freedom in his or her creative process and outcomes.
For instance, check out this article on designing posters for advertising purposes. It gives specific rules for design. My question is, doesn’t an artist still follow some of the same rules in his or her own design?
http://www.printplace.com/printproducts/rules-for-poster-design.aspx
@heather: I agree that an artist does not have to have natural talent. I know someone who is an amazing pianist and songwriter, and he claims that he would not be so without years and years of practice and lessons.
@thornor,
I agree that the lines can be very blurry between an artist and a designer, and they actually crossover very often. And, like I said, this could be argued for decades and never resolved!
Hope you liked the article and come back soon!