For me that’s what differentiates an art vs. a trade, anyone can learn a trade, it takes talent to produce creative art, and not everyone can do it regardless of training.

DaveRH´s last blog post…RH’s Opinion Sought By National Post

My aversion to the use of the word artist is that overuse of it has distilled its meaning to the point where too many people use it. I think my perception of artist is the difference between cheap wine at the depanneur and a $150 bottle of 18-year aged Beaujolais. Both wine – very different qualities.

I also think that the addition of technological tools further distills the definition of artist. I have trouble accepting that someone with extensive courses and many years of experience with design software is an artist. Is that innate talent? Or just really damned good skills? Remove the software – is that person still capable of art without them?

And if I had that same training, could I be just as “artistic?”

And what of “art” they display today in some museums? Junk tossed together? Artist? I dunno. I really don’t.

But like I said – this is my perception only and there are millions of others out there as well. Also, I’m applying this perception to all trades, from writer to designer to whatever, really. Not singling anyone out.

Anyways, fun discussion!

I absolutely positively 100% agree that just opening up photoshop does not make you an artist, and the web design industry is full of people who buy the latest version of frontpage, and label themselves a web designer. However, companies should be at the level where what they are producing is an art form. Let me clarify my situation a bit as well, I operate a medium design / copywriting / SEO etc. firm with a partner. I myself am not an artist, I wouldn’t dream of calling myself that. I know what looks good, but what our lead designer develops is nothing less than art in my mind. I’ve worked with him since we both started. We’ve worked in photoshop for the same period of time, and the best I am capable of is minor photo / picture manipulation. I cannot begin to create on the level that he does.

The reason that he can, and I can’t is because he has a talent for the art form and I don’t. That’s how you define art from commodity. Anyone can learn to create a commodity, but it takes a born talent to produce truly beautiful art. I don’t think it’s based on art, it’s an art form on it’s own.

DaveRH´s last blog post…RH’s Opinion Sought By National Post

DaveRH´s last blog post…RH’s Opinion Sought By National Post

Keep in mind I’m not picking on the graphic designers of the world and my post included other creative areas, such as writing.

Nowhere did I say that working in a digital medium removes the potential for a person to be an artist. What the post does say is that opening Photoshop and picking around does not make a person an instant artist.

Too many people mantle themselves with that glorious title and don’t even come CLOSE to being a freakin’ artist. My teen toys with Photoshop. Is she an artist? Or a teen playing with software?

I do agree that talent has bearing on the quality of work, whether it be design or copy. But I don’t feel that beautiful designs are all based on art. Much of them is about skill.

Sure that’s true, but anyone can learn to draw wildlife. However, only the talented artists will be able to make it beautiful…in both cases.

Digital is just another medium, that’s all. Just because it’s different doesn’t make it art. Anyone can download Acid Loops and make an electronically generated song but will I enjoy it as much as my favorite Daft Punk CD?

Saying someone isn’t an artist because they work on a digital medium is like saying a wildlife illustration you made is not art because it’s not a water colour painting. What about someone who illustrates solely for advertisements, is their illustration no longer art because the purpose has changed?

DaveRH´s last blog post…RH’s Opinion Sought By National Post

I guess, I will back down and say writers can be either/or…depending on the type of writing they are doing and how they feel.

Honestly, for me to have to do the type of writing you are talking about day in and day out..with no art in it..nope…..not me…no soul=no writing.
so for some of us, writing is part of our art, I write, I paint, I dance, I act, I direct., I am an artist.

some people just aren’t, and don’t want to be, and I guess that’s just fine too.

Wendi Kelly’s last blog post..The Magical Word