Guest Post by Nate McConnaughhay: I have hundreds of unfulfilled ideas in folders on my hard drive. Why didn’t they make it to paper? This is the battle: art versus function. An idea can be so brilliant and unique, but without “function” it gathers dust in a folder.
I used to think that limited resources and the necessities of a project stifled my creativity. But that’s false. The key to creativity is innovation within constraint.
When my creativity is meant to convey a something, it’s rendered useless if that message gets lost in a glittering sea of artsiness. What pushes to be more creative: creating something on a whim, or creating something that elegantly conveys the message?
Logos, for example, are a huge battleground for this. You aim for simple and recognizable, yet also representing the goals of your organization. That’s a lot to accomplish with a few vector shapes.
Example: (first column, logos I liked. second column, logo I used.)
This is the one we ended up with for “The Pointe” a facility that aims to draw people from all over to experience community and to promote health in three main areas (physical/sports, the arts, and spirituality).
Printed publicity is another battleground. You always want to create something unique and eye-catching. Then you discover your budget only allows for black and white…with no special die cutting. Plus there’s a full page of text to include.
This battle between art and function will never end. Let it be your friend.
So do you have any good examples of this? Where else have you run into this battle in your own creative process?
Guest Post by Nate McConnaughhay
Creative Arts Pastor
Lifepointe Christian Church
“creating something on a whim, or creating something that elegantly conveys the message”
As an architect one of the things I can’t stand is crazy designed buildings for no reason. The majority of post-modern architecture (think Daniel Libeskind) is done for no other reason than to look strange. My goal, if I ever am blessed with an opportunity to design something great, will be to create something unique that simultaneously conveys a meaningful and purposeful message.
“creating something on a whim, or creating something that elegantly conveys the message”
As an architect one of the things I can’t stand is crazy designed buildings for no reason. The majority of post-modern architecture (think Daniel Libeskind) is done for no other reason than to look strange. My goal, if I ever am blessed with an opportunity to design something great, will be to create something unique that simultaneously conveys a meaningful and purposeful message.
There must have been something in the water in Florissant! (my and nate’s home church)
Proud to know you, Nate.
Kyle Baker
Creative Director
Harpeth Community Church,
Franklin, TN
There must have been something in the water in Florissant! (my and nate’s home church)
Proud to know you, Nate.
Kyle Baker
Creative Director
Harpeth Community Church,
Franklin, TN