Artist vs Designer
Identifying the difference between an Artist and a Designer can be confusing to some because of the close nature of the job they do. Artist and designer, indeed, refer to two different professions and there are certain differences between the jobs each do. However, they may both appear the same as they are both creating new things. Nevertheless, an artist creates what he wants while a designer creates what the client wants. An artist can take as much time as he wants to complete his work while a designer is always bound by a deadline. However, an artist can become as much cornered in a commercial setting as a designer.
Who is an Artist?
Artist is a person who does the work of painting, drawing and sculpting. It is interesting to note that painting includes both water coloring and oil painting. Drawing includes charcoal drawing and pencil drawing. An artist is respected as the producer of masterpieces of fine art. He conducts many shows to display his works such as paintings, drawings and sculpture. Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and M.F Hussain are world renowned painters and artists.
An artist is, generally, not dependent on the designer in any way. However, in a commercial environment where an artist is paid a salary for the work he does for a company, an artist can be dependent on a designer. For example, an artist would complete the work given to him by the designer to earn his livelihood. At such a situation, the company may only need the designer’s idea to be completed. So as you can see, at this point, the artist is dependent on the designer.
Who is a Designer?
On the other hand, a designer is a person who visualizes a concept that is in the abstract form and prepares the blueprint. The word designer is often used in a wider sense. He may work in different industries. A designer in the construction industry designs buildings and other constructions. A designer in the fashion industry designs the making of garments and apparel such as the latest trends in clothing. He plays a very important role in fashion shows. He is given a great importance in the conduct of the show.
A designer is dependent on the artist for the completion of his work or project. Of course it happens in team work. See, a designer can only lay an outline for the work he wants to be seen. It is the artist who puts this in color so it can be realized. Both should join together in the completion of an engineering project or an architectural work. Thus, a designer in the engineering related industry like construction is often spoken of as an engineer.
What is the difference between Artist and Designer?
• Definition of Artist and Designer:
• Artist is a person who does the work of painting, drawing and sculpting.
• Designer is a person who visualizes a concept that is in the abstract form and prepares the blueprint. What he designs can be buildings, clothes, concepts, etc.
• Work environment:
• Artist can make statues, draw pictures, or do whatever he prefers. He can turn his own ideas to his work.
• A designer has to follow the idea of the client. He is usually given what type of a product the client expects. He is given the whole criteria. He has to design something within those limits.
• Time frame:
• An artist can have as much time as he wants to complete his work.
• A designer is always given a deadline. So he has to work according to that. He cannot take as much time as he wants.
• Process:
• Artist does not have to follow a set process to create his piece. He can begin from the top or the bottom. Or he can think about the colors before he even has an idea what he is going to paint. There is no set process for an artist to follow.
• A designer has a set process. For example, think you are designing a house. You have to first think about the land on which this house will be built. The area of the land, what is in the surrounding, the number of rooms, the area the owners want to build the house, etc. You have to consider all these facts and listen to the ideas of the client and then only you can actually go into designing.
• Dependency:
• An independent artist does not depend on a designer. He thinks for himself and carries on with his work. However, in a commercial setting, if the designer and artist are two people, then the artist has to depend on the designer because he has only to draw what the designer designs.
• A designer usually depends on the artist to complete the design he made.
Images Courtesy:
- Erik Jones artist in Brooklyn, NY studio by Mpalafox81 (CC BY-SA 3.0)
- Hayden Ng by Gnsnake (CC BY-SA 3.0)
