Matt McInerney

A simple poll posing the question “Is graphic design art?”

I’ve always separated the idea of art and design in my own mind. I’ve always considered myself to be a designer rather than an artist, and I would rather be referred to as such. The distinction I feel should be made is that design is visual problem solving, communication, and attempt to serve more than just the designer. Vignelli designed the New York Subway system, not to hang on a wall, but to serve the good of those who travel on the subway. Adrian Frutiger designed Frutiger so that you could find your way to the gate your plane is departing from, not so it could be sold at auction for millions.

As a student at a college with both Art and Design in the title, I’ve debated the question “What is art?” many times. I’ve always come to the conclusion that there is no solid answer. You get very similiar answers to questions like “What is pornography?” So of course the question can’t really be answered, but in short, do I think of graphic design as art? No. I find it to be beautiful often times. Some design work I find stunning. But I’ve always thought of design and art as serving two very different purposes. I don’t think it’s a slight against graphic design to say that, no, I wouldn’t consider it art. It’s a visual form all it’s own.

P.S. Sup, Foo has reblogged with a nice counterpoint. I do enjoy when reblogging is used constructively. I have to say that I do tend to look towards the Modernists when I attempt to construct a definition of graphic design. Perhaps that is the basis of what informs my opinion on the line (if there is one) between graphic design and art. And perhaps the line grows ever more grey. Touché.