We had the second presentation today and it created a little debate on the position of illustration. The way I see it is that illustration is a middle child between art and design.
We don’t really belong in the fine art world because we are simply not fine artists. Our works are not specifically displayed in galleries or museums. They are not auctioned or placed into art history. Art critics don’t really pay attention to us. Of course some work can be placed in a museum or displayed in exhibitions but that’s not the main goal, is it ? Illustration still has a certain function and when it’s functional it’s considered design.
But to be fair we are not designers either. Our work is not to solve problems or provide solutions for people but to illustrate certain things. Yes we are functional but sometimes we can produce work that doesn’t require logic, doesn’t really make any sense, and doesn’t really have a practical quality (which is fine) as well. Most illustrations are commercial though, that’s why we’re also close to design.
In a way, illustration is a child with an identity crisis, confused by its siblings and the household it belongs to.
I know we’re meant to be open about how illustration can be anything but there is a downside to that as well. Personally, I think we can actually cause damage to illustration as a whole if we become undefined. In the end we have to exist outside of this community and we have to be able to position ourselves to be able to survive or to be able to work. People are already confused about illustration asking questions like ‘so it’s just drawing, right?’ ‘so you are a painter?’ ‘aren’t you a graphic designer?’ so to make it even more undefined is pushing the child into a deeper identity crisis. Once illustration means everything it can also become nothing.
It’s a very negative view, I know, but it’s also important to be aware of the pros and cons of these kinds of intentions and to find our own standing point in this argument. I believe that knowing who you are or who you want to be is really useful and beneficial to the community as a whole. Being confused or too nonchalant can only make your position weaker and while others are moving forward in their career you may become lost in your own little world.
To put it simply :
We must be able to define ourselves or else anyone can define us.
td @ ual 