Comments on: Dead Wings Dialogues – Is There Creativity in Design?

By: Dan Nisbet

Dan Nisbet — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:01:51 +0000

Design or Copy and Paste?…

In my stash of RSS feeds and bookmarks, I ran across an interesting article last month that asked, “Is there creativity in design?”, which got me thinking: is there?
Race cars of today often sport detailed graphics to mimic the sponsor’s compan……

By: Rob Bowen

Rob Bowen — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 21:40:15 +0000

Thanks, Roger. I appreciate your perspective, and agree with your assertions here. I have yet to get over and read your post, but will try to get some free time this weekend to do so. ;) Thanks again.

By: Roger Chasteauneuf

Roger Chasteauneuf — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 13:17:28 +0000

Really interesting article. I often question the idea of true originality in design, but that does not discard creativity. I think design should be a researched based discipline both in content and aesthetic, and to this degree is always influenced, which arguably limits the creativity. Anyway – thanks for a good read. I wrote my thoughts here…
http://www.freddesign.co.uk/2009/11/archive/are-inspiration-sites-good-for-designers/

By: fred design » Blog Archive » Are inspiration sites good for designers?

fred design » Blog Archive » Are inspiration sites good for designers? — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 12:14:11 +0000

[...] other designers posting about their favourite design inspration sites. Also an interesting post by Dead Wings Designs. A few years ago, I never used to find websites with the purpose of posting interesting work for [...]

By: Rob Bowen

Rob Bowen — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:52:54 +0000

Naomi, Thanks for reading and for replying. I understand that take on what was said, and even after reading the post a second time, I can see where you are coming from. However, my main problem is the overall tone, which is set early on in the post with this statement.

“Creativity has nothing to do with design.”

Later as he is wrapping things up, he comes a little closer to saying what I believe now may be his true intention, given the way you presented it. But at this point in the post, given the tone that was set early on I feel like this is more a subtle backstep than another attempt at making his assertion.

“Finally, if you are one who has always agreed with the statement that design is a “creative profession,” you might want to reevaluate your understanding of the role of creativity in design and the purpose and appropriateness of that label on your profession.”

Even here, though he still seems to be saying that anyone who would label themselves as a creative professional while being a designer is wrong, and that again, this is not a creative field. Which again, I take issue with. Yes, design has a very technical side to it, but no coin has a single side. And in my opinion, the mere act of engaging in the creation of a design is a creative effort, therefore, calling it a creative profession is completely accurate. No one is saying that just because someone is creative they think they are a designer, but from the tone of the post, I do think that the author feels that way. Which is why they seem so adamant about separating the two.

I like your take on it better ;p . I also like your wrap up, very true. Thanks again!

By: Naomi Niles

Naomi Niles — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:33:54 +0000

I know which author you are referring to, but didn’t get that out of the article. I took it that the point he was trying to make is that creativity and design are two separate things, not one in the same. But, he wasn’t saying that one’s work should be totally devoid of creativity.

Mainly, what I think he was ranting about in his article is the rampant use of “creativity” that goes outside of the basic rules of design, which also very often makes for poor work.

So, my take would be this: Creativity without following design rules and following design rules without creativity produce bad work. Creativity while following design rules produces great work.