As a designer, I used to believe I had to be an artist. I thought that every piece of design work I created needed to express my personal creativity, just like an artist does with their paintings or sculptures. I imagined that design, like art, was about showcasing my inner world. But as I gained more experience, I realized I was wrong.

Design is about communication

The essence of design is not about artistic expression. While art invites open interpretation and allows the audience to derive their own meaning, design serves a different purpose. Design is about communication. It’s about conveying a clear and precise message to the audience. When design becomes ambiguous or requires explanation, it has failed its function.

Design is problem-solving

In design, creativity plays a crucial role, but it’s not the end goal. Creativity in design needs to be purposeful. Design is problem-solving at its core, where aesthetics and creativity are used to serve the needs of the user or the client. Whether it’s through a logo, website, or marketing materials, design has a job to do: communicate effectively and solve specific problems.

That’s the fundamental difference between designers and artists. Artists are driven by self-expression, creating works that provoke thought and allow for interpretation. Designers, on the other hand, use their creativity with a clear purpose in mind. Their goal is not to express themselves, but to solve problems and communicate ideas clearly.

In design, creativity without purpose is just decoration. Real design is functional, solving problems with clarity and intention.

If design has to be explained, it didn’t serve its purpose.

Don’t use creativity without purpose.

Use it to solve problems.

Want to solve your problems in design? Message me on so I can help you achieve your goals on business and marketing! Don’t forget to follow me on Linkedin for more topics like this!