Archive for category Graphic Design

What is art?

During my first semester of college I almost got into a fist fight with one of the students because when the teacher asked us to do a piece illustrating an idea, I did exactly what he asked me to do as a student and recieved an A on my first classroom assignment, he recieved a C. He accused me of being a sellout and not true to my creative expression.

He was right to a certain degree but it begs and answer to the question. If I design pieces that other people like or want, and I happen to like what I am doing as well, does that make me a sellout? Or just smart?

If you are going to make a living as a painter / illustrator. Other people should probably like what you do. If not then you aren’t in the business of fine art. You are just a painter and your work will never be anything more than a hobby. Fine Art is a business and if you are studying the business of fine art then you are ultimately a sellout by definition because at the end of the day you want people to give you money for your work. You are by definition selling your work and are required to do what other people will pay money to own. You can only hope that LOTS of other people share your taste in art and you will enjoy doing what other people will pay money to own.

What are your thoughts on the subject??