My sister, Allison Bell, has raised a very interesting question on her research BLOG (she's in the middle of writing a thesis and this blog of hers is a part of her assessment). She is also on a search for designers to interview about this. So if you're a designer who is willing to be interviewed on the topic, please leave a comment here and I'll get you in touch with her. Allison hasn't asked me to do this. So perhaps she's already found her guinea pigs, but if not, this might be of some help.Allison says:
- ... Many of the articles use either art or science to illustrate how breakthroughs are made when creating, or how inspiration might strike. Articles written from a neurological perspective in particular seem to use art as a point of reference, with expositions into how the brain interprets colour, line, etc, and how this is a fact of biology.
- This leads me to wonder why design hasn't been explored as a way of looking at the creative process in the same way art has. Has design somehow been deemed to be less creative? Or perhaps less 'accessible' to the reader of these articles? ...
To read more of this article please visit her blog.
Why do you think design is somehow deemed less creative?
Reminders:
1. Over at All 4 ALABAMA, I've got a first chapter or ten poem critique up for grabs. Head on over and bid on it for a worthy cause!
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That's such an intriguing topic. I'll head over there now. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm no designer, but I do find it interesting. I'll go take a look.
ReplyDeleteLove the new look. It's awesome. maybe b/c people design more as a job than an art? B/c it's something people are hired to do? Not sure.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Laura--I think design is perhaps seen as having more boundaries or discipline. I could be entirely wrong, as I know virtually nothing about visual arts. It's awesome that you're so proud of your sister! Her research sounds so cool!
ReplyDeleteI'm in LOVE with your new blog design!!!! Jess!! It's gorgeous, and so much more a reflection of you as an artist and writer than the stock template you used before. AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! xxoo
ReplyDeleteNice new headers. Design can be part of art, but I guess it's not as creative. Since I haven't studied art since high school, I'm the wrong person to ask!
ReplyDeleteIn design as in art there are rules to follow and rules are made to be broken. I think design and art are both inspired by the times we live in.
ReplyDeleteThank you for giving me a mention! It would be fascinating to hear thoughts of other designers if they'd be willing to answer some questions... although I was thinking fashion designers specifically, it probably can't hurt to widen the field slightly! xoxo
ReplyDeleteI love the question, Jessica. To most folks, design is something someone paid to have done. Art comes from the heart. (One of our oldest sons has chosen engineering as a career. I think that too is an art.) I believe that is what most people think. I look at blogs, buildings, bridges and everything in between as an art form. Creativity is art. No matter what form.
ReplyDeleteLove the blog. I'll pop over to your sister's blog. (((hugs)))
I'll have to go read the full article!
ReplyDeleteLove the new look. Who was your designer? :D
ReplyDeleteI agree with Laura. Design is considered a career, but you have to know art in order to be a designer (at least I think you do).
Love the new look! Thanks for the links; you are a wonderful, supportive sister. :)
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ReplyDeleteooh nice new look! And i guess i don't. I have a cousin who makes his living as a graphic designer and i never thought of him as being less creative than me or other artists
ReplyDeleteInteresting question. I think design is very creative, but I don't know why others might see it as less.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I love the new blog design.
I really like the change. The stage lights are fitting. I used to work for a company called Strand Lighting and this is what we made.
ReplyDeleteHi. I don't really understand the distinction between art and design, or at least the need for a distinction. Both are obviously creative, neither less than the other. I don't think the typical person sees a fashion designer as anything less than very creative.
ReplyDeleteMy background is cartography, and most people don't think of mapmakers as graphic designers. After all, you have no control over the shape of the continents, or the layout of a city. Yet cartographers must make a myriad choices as they work, in every aspect of graphic design: balance, contrast, figure-ground, etc. My advisor and mentor went so far as to use the word "euphoria" to describe what he felt when he designed maps.
I can well understand how a fashion designer would feel the same, when all elements come together, and the project just clicks. Funny, I also draw and paint as a hobby (i.e., traditional "art"), and although the creative process is satisfying, as is nailing down something I'm depicting realistically, I never feel anything like "euphoria" when I work---as I did when making maps. Design not only deserves equal footing with other creative endeavors, there's something about it that sets it apart, and if I had to venture a guess, I'd say it's because the designer is always restricted in some way (the clothes have to fit the model, the continent has to look like Africa). That very restriction is what releases a powerful creative drive and results in, well, euphoria.
P.S., I tried leaving this comment on her blog, but it wouldn't let me sign in.
Oooh, loving the interesting responses to my (what I thought was a rhetorical) question. How nice to have some other thoughts! It's nice to hear that people consider design to be as creative as art (and yes, there are certainly overlaps!)
ReplyDeleteThank you in particular to Stephen... am not quite sure how to respond to your fantastic response! I hope you don't mind if I pop your response into a post... please let me know if that bothers you!
Hi Allison. Pop away. I'd be honored. These are just off-the-cuff thoughts. If you ever want to talk, my Skype username is stephenparrish, and I can go on about the elements of design, color theory, etc., until you start to yawn.
ReplyDeleteOoh, look at your new design! Now tell me that's not creative.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely an intersting question. I'll be intersted in reading the rest of her blog.
ReplyDeleteJessica, LOVE your new design! And how clever to include a post on design! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Weekend, that rebel, Olivia
I'm so heading there next. I have no idea why most people don't think so, but I totally think design is creative and such an interesting art form.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the new look :D
ReplyDeleteLove the new look!
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool that you are supporting your sister. I hope she finds some cool designers. =)
Love the new look! It's so cool! Feels like you! Brillant!!
ReplyDeleteInteresting topic. I look forward to hopping over to your sisters blog and check it out!
First, love the new design. The only thing I would add is your name at the top somewhere. Perhaps take off the Alliterative Allomorph and put Jessica Bell.
ReplyDeleteYour sister is super smart. I'll check out her site.
I don't think it's deemed less creative. I think it's harder for people to relate to it. Just about everyone has studied science or art, but not design.
ReplyDeleteI think design is incredibly creative. My husband designs things and to see it unfold from his mind onto a page (or computer, as it were) is fascinating and awe-inspiring. Most of the time, I had no idea so much was crammed up there. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love your new blog design! Very cool! I think it depends who is judging the creativity of a particular job. I believe that more creative people see how much creativity goes into jobs other than being an artist or a writer. For example my husband is a plant scientist by training. He's always using creative measures to make his team stronger.
ReplyDeleteYour sister sounds brilliant, and she raises a great point. I wish I knew the answers!
ReplyDeleteI'm a graphic designer and I'm fascinated by the question your sister has asked. I'll head over there now.
ReplyDeleteI LOVED this new design!!!!
ReplyDeleteL-O-V-E-D it!!!!
gonna check'r out, j ;)
ReplyDeleteshew--I am so drowning and out of touch, but two things:
ReplyDelete1-LOVE the new look!!! It's gorgeous! How long has this been going on? ;p
2-I don't know. I think design is an incredibly creative process, and I've had the privilege of working with several fantastic, award-winning designers. (I'm still close w/two if she needs people to interview, just lmk!)
Take care~ :o) <3
It's always interesting to think about how we look at things as individuals and communities - what our perceptions are and why we have them!
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