You may as well drag out your soap-boxes at the beginning. It will save much
hustle and bustle in a just a few minutes.
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Graphic design and illustration is a highly competitive profession! Ask
anyone who does this for a living and they will surely agree.
This is a 'talent-based' field, as are most professions in the artistic arena.
An artist usually paints, sculpts, or, writes in a particular style - a style
which appeals to, as a rule, a specific group of persons.
Design and illustration, on the other hand, is all about adapting one's style to that which will appeal
to any given client, or, prospective buyer.
Unlike artists, who often can afford the luxury of allowing their inspiration to guide them
in creating a piece in their own unique style; a piece which any number of their 'followers'
will surely want to purchase, a graphic designer most times must design a
piece which is in direct contrast to that which they feel inspired to create.
This may be difficult to understand, however, a colleague will know exactly
what we are saying here.
There have been many articles and discussions belaboring the theory that Graphic
Designers are NOT artists! This is a tremendously
controversial subject - even among fellow designers.
With facts so glaringly obvious, one should think there is truly no room for either
doubt, or, argument.
Consider the following:
- An 'artist's' work will usually appreciate over time, becoming more valuable
with each passing year.
- A 'designer's' work is of a time-critical nature and is expected to reflect
the latest trend in art! Certainly, there are many illustrators whose work commands great respect
and admiration. And those fortunate creators of identity graphics for huge and long-standing
corporations surely enjoy a degree of notoriety. These are not the ones to whom I refer. Still,
I, personally, know of no designer with a crowd waiting to eyeball their next logo
or catalogue design.
- An 'artist's' work expresses the intended meaning, or, message of its author. This piece
may wait for some time before being purchased by someone who comprehends and values
its intended message.
- A 'designer's' work must convey the message of someone else, more often than not, an
entire group of persons who are usually total strangers! No time to dawdle here.
If the designer does not produce a work acceptable to the client's needs, that
client will either require that the work is amended, at the designer's expense,
until it is suitable, or, that client will move on to another designer while blaming
the former for both time and income lost.
- Also along the lines of 'Expression'; An 'artist' who is commissioned
to do a specific piece has much leeway in terms of his interpretation of
the request. Usually, rendering the work in his own style according to his
comprehension of the request communicated.
- A 'designer' must produce work which is the exact interpretation
of the intended communication. Sort of; "Do what I meant to say,
not what I said".
- An 'artist' can be somewhat of a prima donna and expects all of his/her work to
be accepted by his/her loyal followers. And this is most often the exact case!
- A 'designer' (unless he/she is world renowned) is subjected to endless demands
and expectations of 'more' and 'different'! He/She is, also, the one held accountable
if any work falls short of expectations.
- An 'artist', in the name of art, will not compromise a creative piece - another
admirable trait.
- A designer will not survive, if he/she will not compromise!
- An 'artist' commissioned to do a work may malinger a long while. This is called being eccentric.
- A designer who malingers on a project will call this being unemployed!
- An 'artist' may adhere to one style and one medium for their entire career.
- A designer would last about three days doing the same thing!
- An 'artist' simply will not create if he/she is not so inclined, or, is without inspiration.
During this period, their audience eagerly awaits his/her return from this self-imposed
exile, with bated breath, for the next 'unveiling' of a new creation.
- A designer who is out of the loop, for even a short period of time,
may find themselves either forgotten, or, having to drastically reduce their
compensation as punishment for doing so!
- An 'artist' who dares to venture from their unique style or trademark medium
may be criticized for branching out. Followers may think the change is because
he/she is losing their 'touch'.
- A designer who is not constantly employing new technique and alternate
medium is accused of having no 'touch'!
- An 'artist' is applauded for his/her creativity
when employing the use of rags, sticks & twigs, feet - even monkeys and
elephants(!!), to add character and 'depth' to their works. Other artists may even
borrow a technique to use in their own work.
- A 'designer' is condemned if he uses any
outside filters, plugins, or, manipulation tools at all in their work!
The most puzzling aspect of this particular comparison is that the criticism and condemnation
for using outside graphic 'aids' comes, not from the client, who couldn't care less
if the designer employed a blind baboon as long as the work is satisfactory; nor,
does it come from the general public who is, ultimately, the most important
group to view it - but, unbelievably, this comes from fellow designers!
This final point is the crux of the entire issue!
