Chapter 4
Art vs Design
Read Time:
2 to 3 Minute Mini Rant #2
In American Graphic Design circles Paula Scher is a legend; so respected in her field that the BBC asked her to contribute a “course” on the subject for their BBC Maestro app / initiative.
For those who don’t know them, the BBC Maestro courses are a quite brilliant concept; each course by people who aren’t lecturers but have been there and done that job – often having to lean into a “teaching”, coaching or mentorship role by default of circumstances or their own enterprise.
I’m a fan of all the writers, actors and “thinkers” who Auntie Beeb asked to participate; although not so sure about the AI resurrection of Agatha Christie – bit strange that one – knowing “she” wasn’t real, didn’t shake hands with the warm engaging conversational style of the other courses. At least for me, maybe you would like it.
There wasn’t anything in Paula’s course I could disagree with, but then it wasn’t made for me. It was all a bit “Graphic Design 101” interesting stuff for students, striving to get into the industry and maybe, unlike me, she may have younger colleagues or associates at her firm (Pentagram, New York) who wouldn’t dare contradict or pointed out that times have changed (even when the 101’s haven’t).
Paula made one mistake. This isn’t a criticism or an opinion.
She said: “Graphic Design isn’t a science, it’s an Art.”
When the phrase was repeated on a social media trailer for the course, it attracted a long line of comments mostly saying how “spot on” she was, and the usual sycophancy reigned for a while.
Until I took issue with it.
“Graphic Design is not Art.” expecting the backlash that inevitably came.
The problem with a section of people who profess to be Graphic Designers, or that all-encompassing self-described “Creative” label they enjoy, is that promoting themselves to customers as Graphic Designers isn’t enough for them.
It should be.
If you don’t understand that, you really shouldn’t be taking space in the minds of paying clients who NEED you to be a Designer not an Artist.
The first attack on my comment came from a young lady who yelled:
“Says you! What’s the difference?”
So I told her – hoping I wouldn’t have to repeat myself:
“DESIGN has purpose, functionality, a planned outcome.
It explains, describes, attempts to attain a reaction / call to action, inspires a journey from the point it is seen to the outcome or action you want the viewer to take.
ART is subjective, made by the artist for the artist.
A masterpiece can’t be achieved unless the artist is in love with the subject.
It doesn’t explain itself; it’s for the viewer, the audience to explain it to themselves and that is usually a different feeling for everyone.
It’s often Marmite – but better that than ignored because it doesn’t “push any buttons”.
Is that enough?”
I also know a great photographer, award winning, who cringes whenever someone calls him an artist – “I point and click, my mastery is light, I’m proud of being a professional photographer – why would I want to be lumped in with artists?”
His wife is an artist.
If you’re considering hiring a Graphic Designer; the ones who claim to be artists for the purposes of whatever your job is – kick them out before they go any further muddying the waters.
#proudtobeadesigner
