A Faculty Blog by Aaron Winey
The terms 鈥渁rt鈥 and 鈥渄esign鈥 are often used interchangeably. Although these terms go hand-in-hand, there is a difference between them. As an artist and designer myself, I鈥檝e wrestled with the difference between art and design, and this topic comes up frequently in the classes I teach. So, what is the difference between art and design? It鈥檚 not a clear-cut answer 鈥 but here are some of my thoughts on the matter.
The difference between art and design is complicated. Design can be devoid of art, but the best designs have an artistic point of view. There is also art that has a design point of view. It鈥檚 sort of like a Venn diagram. Yes, there is art outside of design and design outside of art, but when the two worlds come together, that is the ideal. A design that doesn鈥檛 have an artistic eye is stagnant and boring; it鈥檚 the artistic part of design that engages and pulls people in. In other words, the difference between art and design is very gray, and it鈥檚 an ongoing discussion. The debate of art vs design is more on the philosophical side, but it is fun to think about.
As an artist, community should play an important role in your pursuits. In classes, we talk about not just being a designer but participating in design. From social media graphics to choosing a typeface for a post, anybody can be a designer with the tools available now. But what differentiates educated designers from everyday designers?
To me, the difference is participating in design, and some of that participation is being in community. It鈥檚 not just being in community to find a sense of belonging, but to be inspired, exchange knowledge, share tricks with programs, and explore other designers鈥 work. Every artistic movement in history is created by a collective. Some names are more prominent, but these collectives are crucial because ideas get passed down, and it鈥檚 important to have that inspiration and push forward, especially in such a subjective practice.
We develop a community of artists at 蜜桃影像AV by creating consistent classroom spaces for students to meet. We have modular tables that model the professional world and are conducive to working in groups to pass knowledge between each other and to have a space to belong. The act of creating is a vulnerable and scary act, so the more comfort and security we can provide to our students through their surroundings and the people they鈥檙e with, the more we can facilitate creativity.
We hope that this cohort model doesn鈥檛 just stay here at school but goes beyond that. I know some 蜜桃影像AV College art cohorts stay in touch, share work, and encourage each other long after they graduate. And on a personal level, the classmates I had at 蜜桃影像AV are now my guest speakers for courses. The cohort that is established at 蜜桃影像AV, but then becomes a lifelong community, is very powerful and enriches the life of the artist.
There is some overlap in the debate of art vs. design. But if you are a serious artist or designer, I hope that community is important to you. If you鈥檙e looking for a community of peer artists, check out 蜜桃影像AV College鈥檚 visual art programs and explore recent art news at 蜜桃影像AV.
Aaron Winey is an assistant professor of visual communication at 蜜桃影像AV College, program director of visual arts, and a 蜜桃影像AV alumnus. He holds a B.S. from 蜜桃影像AV College and an M.F.A. from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Winey owns his own agency, , through which he has designed more than 150 logos and more than 50 identity systems.
