This is not so much about "What is Art?" as it is about what the difference between Art and Design is.
Let me start by saying that there are no set rules about this and that the conclusions I come to are probably not the ultimate truth This also means you are more than welcome to contradict me and tell me how you think about this issue in the comments.

Let's have a look at two Examples to get started.


^{The Spirit by Yuhon & Drink and Drive by pepey}

I think it is easy to tell, which of them belongs to what category. Both of these two images show technical skill and an eye for composition; both made me personally go "Wow!". For different reasons.

So, what do I think is the difference between Art and Design?

• Art is its own message.
• Design displays a message.

This needs some more detailed explanation

I believe that Art is the by far easier side of this equation. I recommend you read Art in Contemplation of Its Own Becoming to understand conceptual art. It is about a second side of Art, that may not require technical skill to produce Art.
What I really mean is, that each work of Art wants to convey a message, but what exactly that message is is open for interpretation. The artist and each viewer can see something different in it.
For me, a piece of Art works if it makes me think about something or it touches me emotionally. I don't have to agree with what I think the artist means, but if I go "Hey, that's bullshit! I think…" it means that the piece made me think and moved something in me. I can also fall in love with a piece or be disgusted by it.
It only does not work, if I have no reaction towards it. It does not mean that it is not Art, it just means that it is a bad work of art for me personally.
One more thing about art: it may jump right in your face! If you look at something and you immedetialy notice things about the message or the technique, it is Art. It does not always have to be that obious, tho. Sometimes you only realize how awesome something is, when you look at it for the fourth time. Or some years later, because you grew yourself and can now understand things better then the first time you looked at the piece.
Art moves you mentally or emotionally.

Design is a tool to carry a message. And it should not be open for interpretation. For example Design tells you how to use something, like an IKEA instruction; if it was open for interpretation people would have a lot more of a hard time putting the furniture together. Websites are another example for Design. A website that wants to sell products needs to make it clear that they are selling products. The user must be able to find the products and prices quickly. If they have an online shop, the ordering process must be easy to understand. The more questions are answered before being asked, the better. Don't even let it come to questions.
If people don't understand a Design, it does not work.

Of course nothing is black and white.

Design can utilize art and it can be artistic. One great example of this are Artisan Crafts.

While even if you lack technical skill, you can create Art, a lack of technical skill in Design ends in bad Design.

Like I said before, what I write here is not the ultimate truth. How could anybody claim to know it anyway? This is just me, sharing my personal thoughts and ideas about Art and Design.


Let's close with this quote:

Design should never say, “Look at me.” It should always say, “Look at this.”

—  David Craib

^{Totally check out this list of 80+ Inspiring Quotes about Design.}

What do you think?

Am I far off? Did I miss something?
Is there maybe no distinction between Art and Design?
What about Artists and Designers? Is there a difference between the two, or are they the same even, if they work in different fields?
Do you prefer one over the other?

Let me know what you think!