
Good Art Inspires. Good Design Motivates.

Good Art Is Interpreted. Good Design Is Understood.

Good Art Is a Taste. Good Design Is an Opinion.

Good Art Is a Talent. Good Design Is a Skill.

Good Art Sends a Different Message to Everyone. Good Design Sends the Same Message to Everyone.

What Do You Think?
Depending on how you look at it, the difference between art and design can be clear-cut or hazy. The two certainly overlap, but art is more personal, evoking strong reactions in those who connect with the subject. I'll leave you with this quote from Craig Elimeliah, who covered this subject in a fantastic article for AIGA, which I discovered during my research for this post. "I do not claim to be an expert on defining what art is and what it is not, but I do know that if we look at the differences between art and design we will see a very clear line drawn between the two. An engineer, if given the exact co-ordinates to place different colored pixels in specific places, could render a beautiful website or ad simply by following instructions; most design projects have a detailed set of instructions and most design is based on current trends and influences. An artist, on the other hand, could never be given any specific instructions in creating a new chaotic and unique masterpiece because his emotions and soul is dictating the movement of his hands and the impulses for the usage of the medium. No art director is going to yell at an artist for producing something completely unique because that is what makes an artist an artist and not a designer."Further Reading and Sources
- Art and Design: What's the Big Difference - Michael Brady, Critique Magazine: 1998.
- Mona Lisa Smile: Secrets Revealed - BBC, 2003.
- The Turner Prize - Tate Britain, 2008.
- Tracy Emin - Wikipedia, 2009.
- Talent vs. Skill and Experience - Acland Brierty, 2005.
- Art vs. Design - Craig Elimeliah, AIGA, 2006.

What's your opinion? Do you think we can draw clearer distinctions between art and design? Or do you think they overlap too much to be truly different?
WDD Staff
WDD staff are proud to be able to bring you this daily blog about web design and development. If there's something you think we should be talking about let us know @DesignerDepot.
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