Are we artists or designers?
One of the longest debates out there. Are designers artists? Well, no, we are not. Let me explain from a different perspective why not.
“Design solves problems; art creates them” is a great quote about how we approach things. Each of the disciplines has its own direction. Designers have a strict, limited, and focused direction for what to design; the artist is free to create whatever he feels.
When I wrote, “Problem-solving is science, design is a craft, and creativity is an art form,” I tried to define how we solve problems. You need to act freely if you are trying to come up with a creative solution, but only the craft will create the final solution within the limits of the research phase (problem-solving).
Art will always stay free and without limits; that is the reason we all respect artists, because it is so hard to create without limitations (the brief). Design is a craft; we act exactly like all other craftsmen, and our power is in our skills and way of thinking. That’s hard enough; we don’t want that artist’s mind to interfere with our skills.
Don’t miss the next essay. Signup for our newsletter
⸻ Newsletter signup
How Much Does Branding Cost?
Branding cost confusion happens when clients focus on price instead of value. Most businesses ask "how much does branding cost" because numbers feel concrete while branding cost confusion makes the intangible feel uncomfortable.
Should designers code?
Should designers code? This question surfaces regularly in design communities, but it misses the bigger picture. The real question isn't whether designers should code, but how expanding our skillset makes us more effective creative professionals.
Art is Provocation: Raising Questions, without Giving Answers
Art versus design thinking represents two fundamentally different approaches to creative expression. While design focuses on providing clear solutions to client problems, art versus design thinking shows how art operates by raising complex questions without offering simple resolutions. This divide shapes how we approach creativity and meaning-making.
We always see ourselves a littl e better before we look in the mirror.
Brand self-reflection starts with an uncomfortable truth—we see ourselves differently than others do. Just as we imagine ourselves as rock stars in the shower, businesses often have distorted perceptions of their brand identity. Brand self-reflection requires the courage to look honestly at how your audience truly experiences your company.
Discipline vs. Talent in Design
Discipline vs talent in design sparks debate in every creative studio. Most designers chase talent, believing natural gifts guarantee success. Yet discipline vs talent shows that consistency trumps brilliance in professional design work.
Good design is for good clients
Good design clients are essential partners in creating successful outcomes. At Visual Brain Gravity in Ljubljana, we've learned that the best projects emerge when good design clients become genuine friends who share mutual trust and understanding.
Dear Client
Dear client relationships in design require honest conversations about boundaries and endings. When design partnerships no longer serve the work's integrity, respectful closure becomes essential for growth.