Graphic designers are not artists

Over the years, I have seen that this distinction is rarely made. Most people throw graphic designers and artists in the same bucket, mainly because "they both make pretty stuff." I am here to try and shine some light on the matter and explain why that isn't the case.

What is an artist?

When visiting a museum, one encounters a variety of art pieces that engage different senses. These art pieces express someone's inner emotions and often reflect the artist's view of the world. Most of the time, the author tries to express these emotions and make them engaging and eye-catching at the same time.

Their work is often based on form rather than function. The art pieces do not usually have constraints and emphasize visual appeal over functional usability. These characteristics are the exact opposite of the work of a graphic designer.

What actually is a graphic designer?

Graphic design is, at its core, a problem-solving skill. Designers are often presented with a need that requires being resolved. Their job is to brainstorm creative ways of fixing it in a way that is visually appealing and sends the right message. In a way, graphic design is a job focused on making someone's life easier.

While it is true that a good designer has the skills to turn something rough into a beautiful final product. A great designer can address the underlying problem and, at the same time, develop a visual material that is aesthetically pleasing.

Good graphic design is beautiful, but great graphic design is invisible.

Some designers make the mistake of letting their personal style drip into the visual style of a project. This "feature" is a symptom of a graphic artist.

Graphic artists are not graphic designers.

In the same way that graphic designers are not artists, graphic designers are not graphic artists. We tend to become fans of designers' work and recognize it wherever it is used because the visual style is often similar. Take, for example, James Victore, an award-winning designer who worked with huge brands like TIMES Magazine, The New York Times, and many others.

James' work is impressive and unique, but he cannot be considered a graphic designer in a conventional way. He firmly believes that your personal touch as a human should show in your work, but by doing that, you become a graphic artist. Clients work with this type of designer for who they are, not necessarily the problems they solve.

Don't get me wrong, being a world-renowned graphic artist is a great way to earn a living. But if you aspire to design global brands with real problems, you must mold yourself to their particular style.

But in the end, does it even matter?

Yes, it does matter. Considering these distinctions is crucial when choosing who to work with on a project. While an artist can design a beautiful visual, a dedicated graphic designer comes "bundled" with the skills necessary to solve your brand's real-world problems.

Let's say that you have a merch store with personalized t-shirts. Your desired target audience is young people aged 16 to 25 years, but for some reason, most of your buyers are people aged 35 to 50 and don't really seem interested in your social media presence.

By hiring an experienced graphic designer, they will point out that maybe your current visual style is outdated and might not resonate with the younger generations. Using their design skills, the designer will create visuals that more closely resonate with your intended audience and improve sales.

What should you take from this

Having said that, always keep in mind what the goal of the design is. While the line between artists and graphic designers is thin, choosing the right person to hire is crucial to the outcome of the project.

Keep in mind that art and design are not the same thing.

While art shouts, design whispers.