Applied Arts

I know I shouldn’t rely on Wikipedia for definitions, but it usually works pretty well to get a general overview of a subject. However the following is a little disheartening:

“Applied art is the application of design and aesthetics to objects of function and everyday use. Whereas fine arts serve as intellectual stimulation to the viewer or academic sensibilities, the applied arts incorporate design and creative ideals to objects of utility, such as a cup, magazine or decorative park bench...The field of graphic design [is] considered applied arts.”

Ouch...“academic.” I’d like to think that the work I do can serve as intellectual stimulation...but it’s interesting to see this somewhat old-school oversimplification of graphic design. Graphic design is much more than just a utlititarian or commercial endeavor...designers are seen as shapers of culture...taking an active ‘authorial’ role even in cases where we are serving someone else’s vision. Our ability to work in the practical as well as theoretical just gives us an extra edge for getting our message out...be it academic or otherwise.

This isn’t to whine about how graphic designers are pigeonholed into these sorts of definitions...rather to suggest that with a greater opportunity for agency, we should be acting more as authors and not just ‘applied artists.’ That means becoming intimately aware of the larger culture...of subjects besides design. We can’t effectively or responsibly shape culture if we only interface with ‘designy’ stuff. Writers don’t get to be good writers by only reading books about writing and talking to other writers. They have to have something that’s feeding the writing...the content. We’re not just commercial artists anymore...we shouldn’t be waiting for clients to feed us content...we should be finding it and making it on our own.