Recently debated here at Banapana and elsewhere was the question: is graphic design art? As I stated before, I think that graphic design is a craft and that it can achieve art when it is practiced with mastery. ¹ One example of that sort of mastery can be found on Andy Mangold’s site where he has re-designed the monopoly game packaging. It is a stunning as well as functional re-design. It is, in short, a mastery of the craft. The aesthetic changes would increase the perceived value of the game, and the re-organization of the game pieces simply makes it easier to take care of and play. Brilliant.

And for those of you who have been looking for a good Monopoly strategy, I suggest you take a look at this simple instructive video.

source: Daring Fireball

Generally speaking, holiday music drives me batty—not because I’m a scrooge or anything, but any music that I have to hear over and over again that’s “catchy” pretty much drives me batty. It’s why there are no radios in my life and haven’t been for years. But there’s no avoiding holiday music. So the least I could do is throw some holiday music out there that is distinctively un-holiday-music-like, or at very least interesting (and free!). My first choice is Dr. Octoroc’s 8-bit holiday tunes. Just think back to that Christmas that you got your first Nintendo and these square-wave songs will bring you Christmas cheer. Then, of course, there’s the scientifically created most annoying song in the world. Okay, so technically only some parts of the song are holiday oriented, but it doesn’t matter, because if you manage to listen to the whole thing, you’ll never listen to it again. Next, Podington Bear has done some decidedly holiday-y music; among those tracks are misfit toys. Finally, here’s a musician I just can never get enough of: Sufjan Stevens. He’s got some great Christmas tunes you can download from Cnet. Some of the titles alone are great, like “Get Behind Me, Santa!” and “That Was the Worst Christmas Ever.” Anyway, enjoy and Happy Chrismahanaquanzadan.¹

First of all, free free to answer the question for yourself. It’s not what I would consider the most scientific study, but que sera sera. I draw a distinction between graphic design and art based on what is being communicated and what is the intent of the communication. Art attempts to communicate emotion, it evokes feeling. Graphic design has to communicate information—and I emphasize has to. If an artifact of the visual medium does not communicate information (or data, to be technical about it) then it is not graphic design. When information is communicated it can sometimes be done with excellence, and graphic designers want to call that art (because it is their art, as in trade) but other folks will still call it technical or design or advertising. But when the emotional content outweighs the communication of the information, as in, drowns it out, then I think graphic design can attain “artness.” And mind you, I am not saying the reverse of this: that art has nothing to say. On the contrary, art can say nothing at all or nothing specific. In my mind, a great deal of the cleaving of the two forms comes down to Andy Warhol’s “Soup Can” and an actual advertisement for the same soup. One form is trying to get you to think about your world, what it looks like and how it feels. The other form is trying to get you to think about soup. [Thanks to Kitblog for today's inspiration!]

It is amazing, when the facts are laid out truthfully in graphic form, the story that they can tell. Chart Junk has posted a chart that should rightfully outrage any American. Brilliantly illustrated. Maddeningly frustrating information. The great thing about this chart is that you don’t need to read to get it. I desperately, desperately want a courageous debate mediator to show both the candidate this chart and ask them about it.

Anyone who appreciates graphic design will enjoy taking a look at this wonderful retrospective that colourlovers has put together.  (And while you’re there, don’t forget to check out my color palettes!)