April 9, 2010
I feel like Dying: Design today
There is a seriously interesting conversation going on right now about the Dying Art of Design – that phrase taken from the article of the same name written by Francisco Inchauste, posted over on Smashing Mag. If I can water down the argument for the sake of brevity, it’s basically about the fact that designers nowadays know less, touch less and as a result, are less…inspired and inspiring. I’m wondering how you guys feel about this.
I have to say, I kind of agree that Photoshop and Illustrator and any other program you can think of has made us a bit more complacent when it comes to uh, thinking. Certainly software has helped us all streamline our processes, create marvelous effects and hilarious gifs but I do think we are missing out on a lot that the old masters couldn’t have done without. Things like using our hands, pencils and paper. Making textures from scraps of paper instead of downloading them.
I know many of you do work with your hands, but I’m wondering how many of us do it in the workplace or for paying clients. Thinking back in my career, I can’t really remember anyone pulling out some vellum and rulers or even a sketchpad. Isn’t that horrible! I’m guilty of sitting in front of a computer. All. Day. Long. Are you?
Francisco mentions that most of the articles designers read are brief, mainly inspiration links and tutorials. Hardly anyone pays attention to lengthy, in-depth articles on theory or history. I’m pretty sure this statistic (and the problems that one could argue arise from it) could be extended to pretty much anything. Particularly politics, science, art, hip hop, etc. It’s easy to get inflamed and start pointing fingers. It’s much more difficult and time consuming to find the root of a problem and develop a solution, right?
Also, as far as technology goes I find myself saying “back in the good old days” way too much. I was not even born in the good old days. But just to illustrate my point that new things that are convenient are not always 100% better, I pulled the image above from the Economist. It’s from an article about how Starbucks opened up shop in Bejing’s ancient Forbidden City. Now, I love me some coffee but, Forbidden Lattes? I don’t know, feels so wrong. Feels like it ruins history somehow. Similar to how Photoshop action packs may have ruined photography?
However, since statistically the cards are stacked against anyone actually reading this article (I know, so many words) – here is a bunch of inspirational images for you to steal! Woohoo!!!!
Here are some drawings of Monasteries from Moscow – could make a totally sweet Etsy header, yeah?
Or, how about a playing card from Iceland – I see this as a She + Him poster because the illustration reminds me of Hitler. Two things I really dislike. Just run with it…
Or how about this photograph of some Russian women…looks like they just read this article! Zing.
Seriously guys, feeding your design brain is necessary. Education, curiosity, epic failure and valiant triumphs-all so very necessary. So go out, do something with your hands. If nothing else, at least listen to this Lil Wayne track and live in awe of the wonderment that lives in his head if not in yours…yet.
i try and sketch for any project i work on—even if it’s brainstorming words—before going digital. the thing is, if i don’t, i can almost guarantee a fail; the digital workspace is so limited. so not tactile, so not organic.
my design brain wants to be fed way more than that though, and there are many times where i crave to be back in school and back in a world where design theory is valued at a whole different level.
i’ve learned over the years (over 10 now—whew) that whenever i can bring an analog element to the table, it helps me root the work.
or maybe it helps to root me. and my malnourished design brain.
One thing my professors at school have said that really sticks with me is basically that the computer offers the same thing to everyone, but its what you can do by hand that will set you apart. Which is idealistic, but I catch myself thinking that every now and again.
Instead of downloading a hand drawn type, why not just draw it your self?
But since I’m still a student I’m naive to how the real world runs, haha.
Great post. I agree that people are getting further away from pen and paper. I’m amazed at how many Art Directors can’t draw.
I don’t mind the trend, if it means those of us creating hand lettering and illustration can stand out from the pack.
HELL YES LADIES!
Carolin, since I am somewhat familiar with your work – it totally makes sense that you sketch a lot. Your work is always really original. I honestly think (and I’m assuming here you do too) that your abilities to sketch and really think out an idea helps feed that fantastic freshness.
Also, great points Angela and Taylor – hopefully true artists will start to rise to the top…thanks for your comments (and for reading!) all!
I am one of these photoshop/illustrator workers sitting behind the computer whole day.
Despite that I found out that whenever I sketch a picture, idea of just write my plan for the day, there is always bigger chance for success.
Computer and ready-to-use graphical elements just make your mind more cluttered. There is nothing cleaner that white paper and pen.
Design, or really any type of creative output, in my opinion, is 90%+ thought process with the remainder being implementation. If sketching and drawing are tools that you can use effectively to tap into the thinking that will bring about the ideas necessary to do great work, then by all means… I find that simply stepping away from the machine for a bit and letting my mind wander can produce the same results as a good sketch.