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Distill · 01-17-2008, 05:23 PM

Excellent topic! I'm interested to hear what others have to say.

I've always made the following distinction between art and design (graphically, or in any other medium): Art is all about subtlety and subjectivity, whereas design is about simplicity.

That's not to say that the act of designing is simple, but the product should be (clear and concise, easily digested--one might say "intuitive"). Like street signs or a user-friendly website, for example--something you can look at and know exactly what it is, how to use it, what it means, etc.

Art, I believe, is something which rewards study on a deeper level (the product, I mean)--it's more "interpretive". 10 people could look at (or listen to, or taste) the piece and come away with 10 different ideas of what it's about; or the same person's interpretation could change based on mood or context.

I wasn't a visual arts major, but I did study English and communications, and I think the distinction is a lot like the difference between literature and brochure copy--they're using the same medium to different ends.

Regarding Eric Nitsche, Stereo, I'd say that's art all the way. It's clean and crisp (most people's hallmarks of design), but it's definitely open to interpretation. Throwing it on a postcard or having a company's logo on it doesn't (necessarily) mean it's not art.

01-17-2008, 05:23 PM	#3
Distill Designer/Copywriter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: DePere, WI Posts: 88	Excellent topic! I'm interested to hear what others have to say. I've always made the following distinction between art and design (graphically, or in any other medium): Art is all about subtlety and subjectivity, whereas design is about simplicity. That's not to say that the act of designing is simple, but the product should be (clear and concise, easily digested--one might say "intuitive"). Like street signs or a user-friendly website, for example--something you can look at and know exactly what it is, how to use it, what it means, etc. Art, I believe, is something which rewards study on a deeper level (the product, I mean)--it's more "interpretive". 10 people could look at (or listen to, or taste) the piece and come away with 10 different ideas of what it's about; or the same person's interpretation could change based on mood or context. I wasn't a visual arts major, but I did study English and communications, and I think the distinction is a lot like the difference between literature and brochure copy--they're using the same medium to different ends. Regarding Eric Nitsche, Stereo, I'd say that's art all the way. It's clean and crisp (most people's hallmarks of design), but it's definitely open to interpretation. Throwing it on a postcard or having a company's logo on it doesn't (necessarily) mean it's not art. Last edited by Distill : 01-17-2008 at 05:33 PM.