I started designing when I was 14. My sister accidentally came across a copy of Adobe Photoshop 7.0 (she was looking for database software). Her mistake lead to my passion. Everything I know about graphic design was self-taught from countless hours of online tutorials–some good, some not so good– and trial and error. I am intrigued by commercialism and mainstream media. I love incorporating my passion for photography in my design work. For me, these two artforms work hand in hand. I use the term “artforms” loosely. I’ve learned so much about “art” after coming to art school. The people here are not like everyone else. That’s not necessarily a bad thing but it’s certainly opened my eyes to a way of seeing things outside of commercialism. I’m slowly learning to appreciate this new perspective but I’m still driven my commercialism and that is evident in my work. I think people’s attention is first captured by what they see. If it looks good, they’re more willing to try it. I also people like comfort and the mindlessness of commercialism works perfectly on people’s emotions. Is that oxymoronic? Mindlessness and emotion?
There is certainly an artistic approach to commercialism and mainstream media and I feel that it’s much too often viewed as “unoriginal” and “not art.” That may be true but like I sad, that’s what the majority responds to and that’s why intrigues me. Feelings are key in commercialism but the bottom line is almost always to “sell.” I guess that means it’s not “art for art’s sake.” So what’s “commercialism?” To me, it’s playing it safe and creating something that mass majority responds to. It’s using something generic because it guarantees a sale rather than something more artistic–something that’ll be appreciated by only a select few. So now he’s the age-old argument. What’s art? Is graphic design art? Are my interests of the artistic nature?
I like graphic design and photography and commercialism.
