Sketches Design Craft or Art

Is your idea design, craft, or art? This is an oversimplified way to categorize, but helpful for understanding. None is better than the other and there is much overlap, but each has a distinct driving force.

Design

Ideas that result in design objects will usually have a primary purpose of function, instead of aesthetic choices or artistic concept. These types of objects solve problems. For the purpose of this project, a design container might solve problems like how to hold, carry, contain, hang, or display something. Or they might solve problems like “how to have a container that unfolds into a table?” or “how to have a sturdy container that is also a backpack?” The main determinant of a design object is solving a specific problem (although aesthetic choices should definitely be considered and artistic concepts might also be considered: they just aren’t the primary purpose).

Craft

Ideas that result in craft objects will usually have a primary purpose of aesthetic value, instead of functionality or artistic concept. A craft object would focus on beauty, intricacy, and showing off technical skills without necessarily having a function or deeper concept. Examples of craft objects for this project might include: a highly detailed container that is meant to hold nothing, a container with lots of inlay, or a container with multiple living hinges simply for the sake of beauty.

Art

Ideas that result in art objects will usually have a purpose beyond aesthetic choices or functionality. An excellent example of an art object from one of your classmates: a container for happiness. A container for any immaterial thing, be it memories, dreams, or feelings, would all be art objects. Other art object examples: a container commemorating someone or something, a container to invoke a specific response (fear, play, confusion, surprise, etc.)…the list is endless. The main determinant of an art object is a concept beyond function or aesthetic (although function and aesthetic should also be considered: they just aren’t the primary purpose).

This is a two part sketching assignment.

Part 1 (5 pt):

Take some time to look through your visual research and divide your ideas using these categories (by writing a list or by making new boards in pinterest). Sketch three containers for each category: design, craft, and art. These sketches can be from just one perspective, but the more perspectives you sketch from, the easier it will be to envision the box (think of Rhino’s four viewports and how the box might look in each). Scan or photograph these sketches and label them with a brief description of your concept in a program like Illustrator, Photoshop, Word, or anything that allows you to type next to images. Export as a PDF and upload below.

Part 2 (5 pt):

Pick your two favorite ideas (from any categories, it could even be two from the same category) and sketch three different versions of each idea. These sketches should be more detailed and show the box from the top, left and/or right, front and/or back, and perspective view. Label them as you did your first sketches, explaining the variations between versions and why you are drawn to this idea. Export as a PDF and upload below.