What is the difference between art and design?

One word. Intent.

Unconstricted art has no boundaries, no intent.

Its purpose (the point of its existence) is fluid. The artist and viewer may generate different perspectives (even debate about) the intent from the one piece.

Art can be anything with or without a purpose. With or without an intended message.

Design cannot.

When we design we design for a purpose. Each design has a specific goal or target otherwise it is seen as failing. You have not met the brief. The design does not work. The audience does not understand the message. Or plain and simple it is a bad design and no one wants that.

As designers we design for a client who has a purpose and goal. To sell, to be seen, to make an impression, to be of service to their audience. The list is endless.

They have goals that need to be met through a design. Artists can have constraints imposed by clients, with styled commissions as well. However it’s not seen as the same as design, as each design is measured, tested and analysed to meet a specified business goals.

Design isn’t just good design. It needs to meet the end objective and perform to get the results intended. If your design reaches its full intended potential then it is a success.

How do you achieve this?

Most designers need to be strategists as well. Understand your clients business, research, see what their goals are, how they haven’t achieved these previously, and what you can do better. Put your own style aside and work out how your design can emphasise the business to achieve their goals.

For further information see the centre for digital medias post on it.