What Is Art and Does It Matter?

In any profession it is absolutely necessary to be acutely aware of trends and patterns in the industry. It is why companies keep tabs on their competitors, sports coaches swap game footage, and developers share ideas in an open source forum. Without doing so, it limits your ability and closes you off from amazing opportunities to grow and learn from other practitioners.

A few years ago, I entered the design field from an unexpected background. Growing up, I always gravitated towards math, analytical thinking and science. I loved solving equations, problem solving and making new discoveries. I applied this way of thinking to my design process from the beginning. I didn’t have an art background and still don’t consider myself a traditional artist. I am without a doubt a left-brained designer. I carry my analytical problem solving and OCD tendencies over into design. Because of this approach, I think it is even more important for me to absorb as much as I can about artistic movements, famous artists and fantastic designers. I have so much to learn from them, including their histories, thought process, art techniques and expressive tendencies. I am constantly in awe of undeniably right-brained people’s creative talents and free way of expressing themselves.

Going into digital art and design without having an appreciation and fascination with traditional artists and cutting-edge designers will put you at a severe disadvantage. Regardless of whether or not you are going to create art yourself, these individuals are the best possible resource for inspiration. Why not take advantage of that resource by exploring every genre? Absorbing this knowledge will set the stage for the approach needed when beginning design projects. Plus, down the road when someone in our field is relying on us to be subject-matter experts, we will be prepared!