I am an artist. Am I a designer?
At work
I am an artist.
Anyone who knows me, either personally or professionally, would agree. I create art, I draw, I paint, I write.
Naturally, I’m an artist.
But then, so do designers and illustrators. So, are designers and illustrators just subcategories of artists? Is every designer an artist, but not every artist a designer? Are illustrators artists who didn’t quite make it?
Absolutely not. I know incredible illustrators and designers who are truly inspiring, and I’ve met some pretty horrible artists too.
So, what’s the difference?
Both artists and designers/illustrators are creative people. They often use similar materials, and their work can sometimes appear quite similar. But their processes and goals are fundamentally different. For us to collaborate in a way that’s both productive and fulfilling, it’s important that we understand what I offer and what you can expect from me.
To begin, there’s a key distinction between what a designer or illustrator does and what an artist does. Designers solve specific problems, finding a balance between aesthetics and functionality. If you’re hiring a designer to create a website, it needs to function well for the user. No web designer would explain a confusing interface by saying Dude, back off, this is how I felt it! Similarly, someone illustrating a restaurant menu can’t deliver an illegible design and claim legibility wasn’t a priority. Functionality and clarity are central to design. In contrast, artists are driven by personal expression and exploration. Art doesn’t aim for perfect clarity or accessibility. It thrives in complexity, ambiguity, and nuance. A piece of art that reveals itself fully and immediately often lacks the depth that makes it truly captivating.
I understand how things can get confusing when I, as an artist, am commissioned to express someone else’s feelings—like when I create tattoo art. My client shares their story, and I immerse myself in it to express it through art. It might sound like design work, but I’m still expressing emotion. Think of me as a channel, where your story moves through my pen to become art that lives on your skin.
Why is this distinction important? Because it shapes my entire creative process and defines your role in it. There are a few things to keep in mind when commissioning a piece from me:
Feel free to provide visual references. I often take them into account. However, what truly inspires me is your story, not specific examples of my past work you might like.
I don’t send sketches for approval. While we will discuss the project in detail before anything is finalized [i.e.: before you commit by making a down payment], the creative process happens between me and myself.
It takes time. I work on projects for several months.
There’s room for minor adjustments at the end, so feel free to suggest small changes. But this won’t be a collaborative process like it might be with a designer, who might share drafts for your approval throughout.
This doesn’t mean my work is superior or more valuable than that of designers or illustrators. It’s simply a different approach, even if, at first glance, they may seem alike.
