Artist Hideout

Art and Design

There is a debate that has raged on about this subject for quite awhile. I am currently following one over here.

We must redefine the way we understand both design and art in our current world. The reason is that we are inundated with man-made art and design on levels unparalleled with previous cultures.

Here is my particular belief here, and feel free to comment because I know some people might be upset over this particular view.

Artists are designers.

Designers are artists.

Let me qualify that a little bit before I get flamed….

Design natively deals with use and purpose to the thing being created with a regard to aesthetics. (ie. Would you consider a fine goblet to be good design or beautiful art?)

Art is primarily aesthetically inclined with a nod toward the direction of use and purpose. (ie. How about a commissioned painting that is painted for a particular room in a house on a specifically colored wall to achieve a greater feeling of warmth in the room?)

I maintain that no good designer will ever be able to be successful in design on the aesthetic level without some level of art and likewise no artist will ever be great until they can also incorporate great design and purpose into their work.

An Artist can practice good design, but that does not make them a designer.

Likewise a designer can practice great artistic ability, but that doesn’t make them an artist.

It has to do with motive and purpose.

Why is a thing created and does it achieve the purpose assigned?

If I create a painting for the purpose of being an aestheticly pleasing door stopper, is it design? Certainly, but good design? Probably not. Is it artistic? yes, but it fails there too because it’s behind the door where no one looks.

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