The Design Trinity (the architect, the artist, and the thief)

Written by Kater Titus

It is exhilarating to witness a six-year-old paint- where every stroke is analogous to a bright splash of organic confidence and a complete lack of anxiety. They are free from anyone's judgement. Free from even their own judgement. An experience only reserved for the child-like. For the those with the spontaneous desire to be artistic.

Is this the highest expression of creativity?

"Good artists copy, great artists steal"— Pablo Picasso

I'm going ahead to steal Picasso's idea and say 'You can easily tell where a good artist got their idea from, but for a great artist, you have to put up a keen mind.' And does it even matter? Probably.

It's easy to think that kind admittance will salvage the designer in this relevant criticism, but sometimes it's just not enough- specifically when it's too obvious.

Conversely, does the designer even deserve the forgiveness? Should we overlook this copycat culture? Personally, I think it shouldn't even be considered a 'sin' in the first place, because essentially, there's no human mind with a completely organic thought- God should be the ultimate artist.

Human babies are born with a mind and soul akin to an empty white page. Going on, family and society writes on and stains this page with her ideologies - without the child’s consent. Now the babies grow up to become people with opinions that are expressly inorganic. Nothing is seen as wrong with this- and popularly, it is not. In fact, society is offended when people grow up to not being in conformity with accepted or popular norms and practices. Basically, all they know is what they have been spoon-fed from childhood.

And ‘creativity’ as science would tell us, falls under the shade of one's experiences summed up. Therefore, fortunately or unfortunately, this is inescapable for any civilized human. So even from a non-religious standpoint, this forgiveness is key. But we can't forgive every ‘sin’. Can we? Essentially, designers are urged to be discreet and honest about their indulgence with aboriginal ideas.

As architects, one of the first things you encounter in school are courses analyzing the works of renowned architects- their design styles, popular buildings designed by them as well as concepts about design that they criticize. What's the essence of this anyway? Is it just a form of general study? Or is it an indirect and subtle permission to lift the ideas of these great people? Maybe both? I think it's both. However, I become tempted to ask- do these courses stifle creativity or do they by any means improve creativity? This time, I think it does improve creativity. As it creates a sense of direction for similar or varied problem-solving situations. Because these people have tested and tried certain methods that have worked consistently. So tentatively copying them should only yield beautiful and relevant results- in addition to one’s skill and prowess of course.

As this conversation progresses, it only makes room for creativity to seem like a systematic process that begins somewhere and ends somewhere. Like a concept bound by select parameters. Is this to say we are all copycats, and we don't come up with new ideas? Unrelated, but is it simply analogous to one's sense of humour?

Not necessarily. The beginning parts of this article was to emphasize that we essentially are creatures that build on past knowledge and ideas. And where can one find relevant past knowledge asides those who have done the same or similar things in the past?

If one is perspicacious enough, new concepts that transcend older ideas will always come to them- however, one should always bear it in mind that any idea they have currently stems from past experience and knowledge.

So, when does it get bad? As a trained and experienced designer, it’s a shame not trying to come up with a newer concept even if you are willing to steal from somewhere. Your ideas should be able to feel fresh, relevant and most of all, solve problems. They should be able to catch up with the latest technology and trends- and even be a trendsetter in your own right. Massage your ego with personalized ideas. That’s what great designers do.