ART vs DESIGN
Two Sides of the Same Coin.
For a while now, the debate has raged on between art and design. While we realise that they are
intrinsically different, we fail to point out exactly what has to give and where to draw the lines. The
confusion arises when we look at how intertwined these mediums are. Sometimes art is design and
other times design is art. We decided to contribute our own little quota and spotlight a number of
major issues swirling around. Sit back, enjoy the ride and learn something new!
OF SUBJECTIVITY AND OBJECTIVITY…
“A creation needs not only subjectivity, but also objectivity.”
-Stephen Chow
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Art mostly is subjective because it is most times influenced by personal tastes, emotions, feelings
and opinions. The mere creation process of art stems from a deep personal expression of the artist
himself. Design on the other hand is quite objective, following a set of rules, trends, frameworks
and systems. While art is boundless creativity, design is creativity with a constraint. It is objective,
because when designing for clients, one puts aside all personal feelings and tries to solve the problem
at hand. A certain school of thought also says that design is when art meets science. Good design is
objective because it works. This rule of objectivity and subjectivity also comes to fore in the popular
saying. Art is interpreted, design is understood!
OF AESTHETICS AND PROBLEM SOLVING…
“Problems are meant to be solved, but unfortunately, a lot of people choose to
complain, worry, and cry about them.” - Edmond Mbiaka
While art is mostly appreciated for its aesthetic and face value, design is more hands on when it