Reflection

           Design is to create, to execute, to implement. I have learned that design is a very integrated process. Design and the process of design has so many aspects to it, and for every design there is a story. Design is everywhere, look anywhere and you will see it, either with the chair you are sitting on or the table you are working on. We live in a world of design, and there are lots of different kinds of design. 

          I have always been interested in different kinds of design as it always grabbed my attention easily, but not enough for me to push further into its world. Even here is New York University of Abu Dhabi, design can be appreciated more as there is only a minor path to design. That is why here in the course of Yes Logo we can find people coming from different majors and interests, and lots of us come from the Art major track. I took this course as an art elective and knew what I was getting into but still did not expect what came. Reflecting on this course for the past weeks I became very interested in design, whether it came to branding, typography, or graphic design. I think it is thanks to having a skilled professor and a passionate class environment from the classmates. However, I am writing this to reflect on where I came from and where I am now, as in this moment I am considering to learn more on design and I will explain further what happened and why.

          I consider myself an aspiring Artist, and I have been into Art my whole life and drawing and expressing was with me every step of the way. I have learned a lot all these years when it comes to it, such as art principles, techniques, and methodology. Art was always there with me, and helped with allowing me to create, and I am afraid that making a career choice of it can pressure me out and take away the joy, which then opened my eyes again to design as I saw that I get the same satisfaction of creation from both of them. I know that this is not a good enough of a reason and cowardliness should not be the answer but there is more to it to explain. When going through making art I typically go through the same thinking process but not always, I would usually find a theme, figure out the composition, lastly find a way to portray everything together, and I found the same pattern in design but more and better. Basically the process to design is the same generally but more detailed, as in design there is the aspect of communication which makes the process much complicated. This aspect of communication and working as a team is what made design seem more like a rational choice of career than art, which can be a very individualistic job. 

          Both art and design share the same fundamental principles as they both communicate visually. Principles and elements such as line, shape, color, contrast, and balance can be spotted in them. Mainly of all is that they both have stories behind them, there is always a lot to discuss when it comes to a design or an art piece as take the concrete and make it abstract. The relationship of art and design can confuse people, some would say one is the other, or the other is one, but they are actually really different. I would say though that they both affect each other, and we can see that throughout the years, and in modernism.

          What was freeing about art is that it is highly subjective and perceptual, unlike design. Design is more rational as practicality is more important, and self expression is not the objective of your project. Designers get a brief from their client and have restrictive requirements, as in the end the client’s opinions comes before their own, as the client is the decision maker. With the limitations creativity is essential, also design involve lots of research, meetings, and communication which really makes you go all out and what makes it more exciting. What I found is I can still pursue my joy of art without being afraid of the pressure it can bring, while also being able to implement what I learned from it in design making. Designing gives you an experience with every design whether you made it or someone else, and it seems to be a pathway full of fun and excitement. I am clearly very new to this as I am a first year university student and been honored to have been able to meet with such skilled designers and wish to know how they all began through their journey to be able to know how it starts,