Art in Design

In today’s visually saturated world, the lines between art and design are increasingly blurred—and intentionally so. As a designer and artist working with space, light, and handcraft, I often find myself asking: When does design become art? And when does art begin to serve as design?

We’ve seen this fusion in installations that evoke emotion but also serve functional or spatial purposes. We see it in retail environments, hospitality spaces, and even in residential settings, where a sculptural light or a handwoven wall can both elevate the aesthetic and anchor the space experientially.

But this also brings up bigger questions:

Is there a threshold where art becomes “too decorative” to be design?

Should design always serve a function, or can evoking emotion be the function?

As designers, do we risk diluting the artistic intent when art is embedded in commercial or branded spaces?

There’s a spectrum here—from expressive installations to utilitarian design that flirts with the poetic. And somewhere in between lies a fertile ground for new ideas, for pushing boundaries.

I’d love to hear from the design community:

Where do you draw the line between art and design?

Have you ever collaborated with an artist and found the process reshaped your approach to form and function?

Are we heading towards a future where every designer must also be an artist?

Let’s start a conversation.

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