10 Traits of Artists that Designers Need to be Aware of
| March 3rd, 2008I find myself at art galleries too often wondering why art is important as a graphic designer, and why I’m addicted to experiencing artwork. I first assumed I was going galleries to get ideas from the art, but this was not true. You hardly ever see graphic design / layout ideas in art, unless it is to comment on design culture (Andy Warhol, Ed Ruscha). I realized the reason I go to galleries so frequently is more complex than this, and there is much more than aesthetics to get out of art. So I collected my thoughts and compiled this list of traits that artists have, which can be very helpful to the minds of graphic designers. A few concepts on this list might contradict each other, so I’ll start out with Conflict:
1. Conflict
There are hundreds of ways to do things, and in art this is evident. Artists compete with each other, and believe their outlook is the correct one. You can see the conflict arising when you study quotes taken from photographers such as Diane Arbus and Garry Winogrand, the former who believed the subject is more important than the photo and the latter who takes photos for the sole purpose of taking photos. Designers should have this mindset as well. Create a philosophy and a point of view, and your work has the potential to be timeless.
Rauschenberg Erased De Kooning by Robert Rauschenberg
2. Don’t Stick to one Medium
Damien Hirst, one of the most successful artists from the last 20 years, works with all sorts of mediums. He uses butterflies & different objects, he turns animals, skulls, and everyday objects into sculptures, and he also paints traditionally. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, try to always learn new things and see how your skill-set translates to other mediums.
The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living by Damien Hirst
3. Knowing that Everything is Political
Every advertisement, website, and company has ties to something. Either good or bad. Did you know that Naked Juice is owned by Pepsi? Artists communicate this well.
Soldier Frisk Graffiti Stencil by Banksy
4. Irreverence
If you want to see some irreverent art, check out the Fluxus Movement, or here’s one below that even upset the art community (Piss Christ - a Jesus figure in a bucket of the photographer’s urine). Your clients probably will be against anything along this line, but try to push their buttons, and try to see how far you can question their design sense.
Piss Christ by Andres Serrano
5. Abstraction
People either love or hate abstract art. Most people hate it—they usually say that anybody can do it, so whats the point? The purpose though is that abstract art opens your mind. It forces you to see things that even the artist never intended you to see. You become the artist. Abstract art opens up your mind to focus on negative space and make connections between shapes and forms. This is a crucial way of seeing the world as a designer. Abstract art opens up all the possibilities that literal & geometric art usually cannot.
Artwork by Mark Rothko
6. Self Branding
Artists are just like companies. There’s a story behind each artist, and that’s what usually makes their work special and worth money. Artists are really good at self branding. For example, Warhol—his public image and every detail in his work was carefully crafted to build his iconic status. Try keeping your design work coherent. You will start to build a brand for yourself.
Self Portrait by Andy Warhol
7. Thinking Simple
Many successful modern artists keep their ideas very simple. This can be applied to any medium—writing, music, design. Next time you’re stuck, ask yourself what the simplest solution is.
The Mountain by Ed Ruscha
8. Crazy
Many artists are crazy, which always yields awesome art. Next time you’re pumping out photoshop comps, try to think really big and really weird. You might come back the next day and change it all, but it’ll add an edge to your work that you’d never usually do.
Starry Night by Van Gough
9. Research-Minded
One of the greatest traits of an artist is the ability to research. It’s easy to forget how important research is in design, especially if you’re out of college and working for clients or at a design studio. It takes lots of reading on the subject to create great work. When I go to galleries, I’m constantly being reminded that I need to research more.
Untitled (Questions) by Barbara Kruger
10. Understand Art is not always supposed to be beautiful
Many people hate contemporary art because it is not usually traditionally beautiful. Art is no longer about beauty. Anybody can make something look pretty. Artists challenge the norm, and make people think. Art isn’t supposed to bring beauty to an ugly world—it is a reflection of the current state, therefore the best art isn’t beautiful at all. Keep that in mind when designing, bad content with good design will always fail.
Bombhead by Bruce Conner
I’m a graphic design student at the Art Institute of Philadelphia. I found your blog while doing some Internet research about Naked Juice for a school project. I found a lot of it, specifically this entry, very interesting. Art History is very important to every artist in every media, and this is an excellent synopsis. Thanks for the interesting read.