How Artists and Designers See Art
Art, for those deeply embedded in creative fields, transcends boundaries and conventional definitions. Unlike outsiders, who often approach art with practicality or tradition in mind, artists and designers tend to view it as a fluid, ever-changing concept—one that exists in both tangible and intangible realms. Based on conversations with classmates and other creatives, this post explores how those immersed in design and artistic practices perceive art, its purpose, and its interplay with emotions and intentions.
Art as Freedom: An Open DefinitionFor many creatives, the definition of art is intentionally broad and inclusive. As one friend put it, “For me, everything is art.” This perspective reflects a core belief among artists: art resists strict categorization. Another student emphasized this further, describing art as something free, unbound by purpose or economic function. Unlike outsiders who may associate art with skill, creatives often celebrate art precisely because it doesn’t need to “earn its keep.”
An interviewee added another layer to this open definition by highlighting intention: “Art is what you make for the sake of making, with no specific purpose, but with a clear reason or idea behind it.” This focus on intent aligns with a broader view that art is not defined by its utility but by the act of creation and the thought processes that drive it.
Emotion as the Core of Creation
Emotion plays a central role in how many creatives experience and produce art. One noted that creativity often stems from emotional expression, stating, “The worse I feel, the better the art.” This sentiment underscores the cathartic nature of artistic practice, where personal struggles, joy or introspection become the foundation for meaningful work.
This emotional connection to art also shapes how creatives interpret its value. A friend described art as a way to evoke and/or process feelings, both for the creator and the audience: “Art is everything humans create to express emotions or awaken them in others.” This contrasts with the more pragmatic views of outsiders, who may prioritize art’s visual appeal or monetary worth.
Interestingly, this emotional dimension often intersects with the narratives of artists themselves. Several classmates mentioned the trope of the “tragic artist,” suggesting that those with difficult personal stories often produce the most compelling art. While this idea is not universally accepted, it reflects a recurring fascination with the vulnerability behind artistic creation.
Art and Design: Two Sides of the Same Coin
While creatives generally view art as limitless, many also recognize a distinction between art and design. One suggested that “art highlights problems that design then solves,” framing art as a precursor to functional creation. This perspective positions art as the space for exploration, questioning, and expression, while design becomes a tool for applying those insights to practical solutions.
Another student, however, argued for a more integrated view, saying, “Art and design can be the same thing.” This sentiment reflects how boundaries between the two disciplines are increasingly blurred, particularly in contemporary practices where design incorporates artistic elements, and art takes on functional forms.
Stefan Sagmeister exemplifies this duality with projects like The Happy Film, which blurs the line between art and design while addressing universal human themes. Creatives often embrace this ambiguity, seeing art and design as complementary rather than opposing forces.
Art as Interpretation: The Role of the Viewer
Creatives also tend to emphasize the subjective nature of art. Art is something “broad, open to interpretation, and reliant on the viewer’s perspective.” This aligns with contemporary theories that art exists not just in the creation but in the interaction between work and audience.
However, this openness does not mean that anything can be art without thought or intention. Many classmates stressed that art must have some foundational idea/purpose, even if that purpose is abstract or personal. This differentiates their view from the more skeptical attitudes of outsiders, who might dismiss conceptual works as “random”.
Art as an Expression of Freedom and Emotion
For those within the creative world, art is a space of freedom, emotion, and intention. It is defined not by its economic value or practical use but by its capacity to express, evoke, and question. Unlike outsiders, who may seek concrete definitions, creatives embrace art’s ambiguity and subjectivity, seeing it as both a personal and communal experience.
This perspective challenges traditional notions of what art should be, pushing the boundaries of its purpose. It also underscores the value of art as a deeply human endeavor, driven by the need to create, feel, and connect.
