Art is a Noun

Wedged tenon

Wedged tenon

Art and Design

What is the difference?

railing detail

railing detail


Is the purpose of art to provoke an emotion or a thought? Is the purpose of design to induce a behavior? They both seek to lead a person down a path. I looked up the etymology of both words. I was struck by the similarities:

Design 1. "to plan or outline, form a scheme;" from 1703 as "to contrive for a purpose." 2. "to contrive, plot, intend," and "to draw, paint, embroider, "do original work in a graphic or plastic art" is by 1854. 3. Especially "an intention to act in some particular way," often to do something harmful or illegal (1704);

Art 1. "system of rules and traditions for performing certain actions" is from late 15c. 2. Sense of "skill in cunning and trickery" first attested late 16c. 3. "human workmanship" (as opposed to nature) is from late 14c.


Both words define purpose and craft. Apparently for good or evil ‘Art’ is a noun. ‘Design” is both a verb and a noun. But Art is sourced from the Sanskrit and Greek verbs "rtih" and "Artizein" meaning “to prepare”, a verb. By definition, the design is the process, the verb, the action word. The art is the product, the thing, the noun. Can you ever have design without art? Or art without design?

Monica CoyneComment