Kevin Cornell of bearskinrug.co.uk fame has a very interesting article dealing with the definitions of art and design that reach all the way back to week one’s conversation on the matter. Some initial snippets:

I eventually came to the conclusion, after many Art History classes, Graphic Design classes, discussions, and observations, that the basic difference between Fine Art and Illustration was their goal. I came to feel that Illustration sought to answer questions; whereas Fine Art intended to ask them.

This rang true to me, and what’s more, it fell in line with my sensibilities as a designer. Design and Illustration walk hand-in-hand because both look to solve a problem.

As he has developed and matured in his field, however, Kevin’s own definitions have evolved:

The subjective use of the title “Art” also led me to believe my philosophy was errant. My neighbors would call something Art that I would not. My dentist definitely has a different definition of Art than I. There are eminent scholars who have devoted their life to the study of Art, who I’m sure would roll their eyes derisively at the work I’d clutch lovingly to my breast. Would I be doomed to never call something Art until I had reached a similar echelon of study? Of course not. What I thought was Art, was at least Art to me.

So, after much mulling, I’ve arrived at a definition of Art that seems to resolve these inconsistencies.

Oh, the suspense, right? Go ahead and give the whole article a read. I’d be interested in your interpretations of his definitions. Do you agree? Disagree? What definitions are you willing to work with (at least for the rest of the semester)?

Consider your comments to this post (on this site) your answer to the quiz; as such, I’ll drop some points in your bucket. We’ll consider this quiz closed before the beginning of class on 3/7/07.

Please don’t forget that tomorrow night is our midterm. As I mentioned in class, it is an essay exam (CADBACADBA will get you nowhere with this test). Please bring a writing device, your best penmanship, and perhaps some extra paper.

While it’d be silly for me to give away the farm, here is an incomplete list of things you might want to brush up on:

• Terms from Assignment 2
• Our working definition of design
• Color spaces and the mysteries thereof
• The technologies behind the imaging software we use (and will use)
• What are some limitations of any project?

Of course, all this and more is already listed on this site; just go back and look at the weekly outline and you’ll have a really good idea of what is coming your way.

Happy studying!

As promised, here are the links to the discussions that erupted late last year about Adobe’s plans for their new icons and branding campaign surrounding the Spring ‘07 release of Creative Suite 3. Be sure to read both sides.

The Icons
Adobe (sort of) on the new icons (pro)
Dave Shea’s take (con)
Veerle’s take (pro)
Jason Santa Maria’s take (con)

What’s your take?

Follow-up:
Creative Process - questions/review

Housekeeping:
Turn in Assignment 5
Review the details of Assignment 6
Note that grades are in the grading system - see me if you feel there is an error

Theory:
Identity/Branding

Illustrator:
Pathfinder and complex shapes

Next week:
MIDTERM

..about what is due tomorrow.

Assignment 5, as you well know, is due at the beginning of class. You will be turning the file(s) in via the submit system we discussed last week. In other words, you’ll zip it up and upload it. The option to do so will not be available until just before the start of class, so bring the files with you and we’ll do it together at the start of class.

Also, please PLEASE refer to your notes about outlining all text within your Illustrator document. I want to see two (2) versions of your file(s): one with live text and one where all text is outlined.

And finally: chapters 4, 5, and 7 in our book have been assigned. Be sure you read them. You now own them.

Our Department Chair Curtis Larsen has posted information pertaining to a new scholarship opportunity. If you are interested in any way, shape, or form, please have a look here.

AND…

…don’t forget to get on over to Shari’s this week for some friendly academic advisement.

Thanks to all for coming and participating in a fairly grueling two-hour session on the creative process tonight. Jason over at our friendly site North Temple has a relevant post about presenting your work and communicating with clients that fits nicely with tonight’s conversation:

And the ability to stand in front of two or several dozen stakeholders and defend your design is one that is required anywhere design is critical (really anywhere you’re being paid for your design).

Read the whole of his thoughts (Is that giving his post too much credit? I doubt it’s really the whole of his thoughts. But I digress.) here. How do you think that the points Jason raises will affect - if at all -the design process as you move through it?

Taking Critique

Sharing your work will, by design, open you up to critique. The web’s illustrator Kevin Cornell has a perfect write-up that deals with getting and taking critique. A sample:

When you’re first learning to take criticism, it can be very painful to hear. While it’s important to be able to emotionally invest yourself in art to make it meaningful, it’s also important to learn how to disengage yourself from it. When someone is offering criticism about your art, try to remain calm and objective. Imagine you’re looking at someone else’s work.

Substitute the word “art” for “design” and the message still holds true. Read the whole article here.

The point? I believe there is a metric tonne of truth in these two articles. Read them. Again. And again. Internalize them and allow the precepts to influence you as you learn and apply the design process.

Follow-up:
Design Basics notes (pdf)

Housekeeping:
Updates to Assignment x
Questions on Assignment 5? Note the added logo.
Grading site stuff.

Theory:
Creative Process

Illustrator:
Outlining type
Pen tool review

Next Week:
Assignment 5
Read: Chapters 4 + 5

Follow-up:
CMYK
RGB
Spot Color
Pantone Matching System

Show color shift on ID badges

Hand back Assignment 3 and discuss (show three)

Pen tool questions?

Quick look at / turn in Assignment 4 via the submit page (https://submit.cs.dixie.edu/)

Theory:
-review Proximity and Alignment
-Repetition (with examples)
-Contrast

Illustrator:
Outline type (and why)
Questions for me?

Next:
Assignment 5
Assignment x

Some great stuff has come across the feeds this week –some of it even floating around the same theme on creativity. I hope you’ve taken the time to read and digest the articles; if not get reading. I suspect it will benefit you at the beginning of class.

Some have wondered about the turning in of assignment 4. Please bring the files with you to class. One of the first things we will do is walk through the process to submit files with the new file submission system.

See you tomorrow.