The Tribune

By DEIDRE M. BASTIAN

LIKE many other common fallacies in the world of creativity, it is believed that 'Art and Design' are one and the same thing. The subject of what separates art and design is convoluted, and has been debated for a long time, with people having strong opinions and various points of view. It offers a great starting point for a conversation.

Artists and designers both create visual compositions using a shared knowledge base, but their reasons for doing so are entirely different. For example, they share the same roots, similar work patterns and almost the same conceptualisation. No matter how thin the line between art and design, the difference is still apparent.

If we plunge deeper into the definition of both, there are two basic concepts that create differences. Art is more of an unplanned emotional approach, while design is a pre-planned and well-calculated creation.

Meanwhile, while some designers consider themselves artists, few artists consider themselves designers. So what, exactly, is the difference between art and design? Let's examine and compare some of the core principles of each craft.

Good art inspires while good design motivates: Perhaps the most fundamental difference between art and design that we can all agree upon is their purpose. Most times, a work of art stems from a view, opinion or feeling, which allows viewers to release, learn or become inspired.

The most renowned (and successful) works of art today are those that establish the strongest emotional bond between the artist and their audience. By contrast, when a designer sets out to create a new design, they almost always have a fixed starting point, whether it is a message, an image, an idea or an action.

Often, the designer's job is not to invent something new, but rather something that already exists for a purpose. That purpose is usually to motivate their audience to do something - buy a product, use a service, visit a location or learn certain information. This is marketing and graphic design working together in concert.

Good Art is interpreted while good Design is understood: Another difference between art and design is how the messages of each are interpreted by their respective audiences. For example: Art sends a 'different message' to everyone, while Design sends the 'identical message' to everyone.

Although an artist sets out to convey a viewpoint or emotion, art connects with people in strange ways because it is interpreted differently. Fundamentally, because art is subjective, it solidifies the famous adage: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". As a result, it represents the concept where one person may look at a piece of art and feel it is amazing, while another might be appalled. Art is not audience driven, and could be deemed selfish, as it usually does not consider its target audience.

For example: Da Vinci's Mona Lisa portrait has been interpreted and discussed for many years. Viewers may ask: Why is Mona always smiling? Scientists say it is an illusion created by our peripheral vision, romantics say she is in love, while sceptics say there is simply no explanation; she's just twisted. But none of them are wrong, as interpretation is in the mind of the beholder.

And, based on clear principles, the most successful designs are those that effectively communicate a message and motivate consumers to carry out a task. Clearly, if your design communicates a message other than the one intended, it has not met its purpose.

Let's take this concept out again for another test drive: Art is judged by an opinion that is governed by taste, and one's particular likes and dislikes, rather than the message it takes away. More often than not, an artist has natural ability. Meaning that from a young age, an artist grows up drawing, painting, sculpting and developing the talent (or natural ability) they were born with.

Actually, one of the main purposes of art is to express a feeling, an idea, a concept or an expression. Art is an outlet, rather than a valve for expressing itself. For example: An engineer could render a beautiful website or Ad simply by following a detailed set of instructions, while an artistm, on the other hand, may not require any specific instructions in creating a new masterpiece because their emotions and soul dictate the movement of the hand and their impulse. Everyone knows that feelings and emotions can be one of the most random things in the world, and only the one who has expressed the emotions can understand them well.

Since we understand that design is audience driven, unlike art, it is comfortable to say that a designer creates to please a target audience. That is why an audience is an integral part of the process. Another point is that art is usually non-commercial and non-profit, while design is always for commercial and business profit.

From industrial design to graphic design and interior design, there is one common denominator and objective, which is to make its audience happy and get paid for it. In this same vein, design is also about planning and problem solving through communication, which fits into certain specifications or project plans.

The essence of the overall distinction is that designers make brochures, flyers, post cards or business cards, while artists indulge in painting, sketching and making sculptures. Inevitably, the common denominator in both professions is that both are equally skilled and talented.

The main bedrock of this premise is that art and design are not the same thing, since designers construct and build, while artists create, express and imagine. Nonetheless, you do not have to be a great artist to become a great designer, but you do have to achieve the objective of a design to communicate the correct message.

So, if there's one point that I would wish to have taken away from this article, it would be that both professions do overlap. Yet art is more of an unplanned and emotional approach, while design is a pre-planned and well calculated creation. Until we meet again, fill your life with memories rather than regrets. Enjoy life, have fun and stay on top of your game.

NB: Columnist welcomes feedback at deedee2111@hotmail.com

Ms Bastian is a trained graphic designer with qualifications of M.Sc., B.Sc., A.Sc. She has trained at institutions such as Miami Lakes Technical Centre, Success Training College, College of the Bahamas, Nova Southeastern University, Learning Tree International, Langevine International and Synergy Bahamas.