1. Based upon the readings the word design comes with many definitions. Across all the readings what are some examples of these differences?

Clement Greenberg defines design as “a more or less conventional sensibility.” (26) He states that Minimalist art, art that is more focused on how it is created rather than how it makes someone feel, can be “readable as art” (26), and though he takes it “seriously” (28), he hopes for new designers to learn from mistakes of past ones and wants them to move towards “Good Design.” Paul Rand, on the other hand, has a much more positive take on design. He views it as “a problem-solving activity” (34) and acknowledges that while it is practical, design is not motivated by financial success, rather, by art. Rand validates design as a complex way of life that incorporates technicality with creative talent, and acknowledges that it takes time, just like good art. Many designers face lots of struggles in communicating their work to the non-artistic world, and thus to Rand, to create “meaningful design” is a very challenging task. (37) Vilem Flusser takes a more practical approach to defining design, and takes time to acknowledge its synonyms, like “plan, intent [and] scheme” (55). He thus dubs the designer as a deceitful one, but doesn’t leave the artist out, using words like “artificial [and] artifice” to show that they too are “conjurers” (56). He then explains how two words very similar in meaning came to be so far removed, and cites bourgeois as a reason. Technical things and creative ones were completely separate, and this trend has stuck into modern times. However, he mentions that design must deceive nature through technology. (56) Lastly, Hal Foster states that for some, design can be a “completion” or a “loss of objective” (67), depending on one’s point of view. He thinks design can allow for subjectivity within a specific cultures allowing room for “self-interpellation” (69) and the hybrid of aesthetic and utilitarian.

2. How does misunderstanding or rather multiple definitions of a singular word effect how we perceive design? Be sure to reference the four articles.

All of these different definitions lead to many different understandings and thus connotations about design. By Hal Foster’s definition, one may be able to see themselves marketed in the product (69) as the media sells culture and intelligence, but as Vilem Flusser states, this is just the type of “deceit” that designers do. He sees this use of the media and consumer feelings as “artful” (57) and though the outcome is good, we “replace what is natural with what is artificial” (56). Greenberg appreciates the “sensibility” (26) of design, but does call it “non-art” many times throughout his essay, which calls into question how “serious” (28) he is about design. Rand has the most positive outlook on design out of any of the four writers, and acknowledges the hardships that come with the job and the difficult task of blending practical with art to create a “point of view”. (34) Because of the long separation between art and design, and the derivation of the word “design” into the many uses it has today, there are many different interpretations from different people in society as to what design might be for.

Personal Reflection:

1. How do you suppose you could better prepare yourself as a maker of aesthetic objects/ideas?

I think I could be better aesthetically by looking into different art movements and techniques and finding my niche in the creative world. I am very broad when it comes to things that I like, but sometimes I realize that I need to create a set of things that cohere together or make something that fits a certain style or purpose. If I knew more and practiced more in different techniques and artistic styles, I might be better equipped to handle these problems, and rather than searching the internet for a reference that encompasses the feel I need to create, I would have my own creative memory bank to draw from.

2. What are things you currently do to practice your creative muscle?

In all of my projects for the class, I have gotten exponentially better at being willing to try something that I am not entirely sure will look good or work out. With every project, I encourage myself not to adhere to my perfectionistic tendencies and force myself to put something on the paper just to break out of my head. In the last project, I took photos without carefully lining up the shot, just to see what would happen, and adjusted from there. Though I like working methodically better, I find it helpful to push my comfort zone a bit because I find solutions I never would have thought of before.