Guest Post: Everyone Is A Designer (Part.1)
October 14, 2009 at 5:42 PM Kari "Cruziiie" Cruz 
I was recently reminded about Hip-Hop Superstar; Kanye West's "Pastelle" clothing line. Please note that I did not call him a “designer.” I'll admit that shortly after seeing the garments, I went into “hater” mode. This wasn't because I was jealous, but because I think of how this title is often unwarranted and unearned.
A few years ago when Kanye attempted to launch Pastelle, he recruited some of streetwear’s finest minds to provide creative input. There ended up being too many cooks in the kitchen and the line never went anywhere (RIP Pastelle). Design is about thinking, conceptualization, execution and most importantly- YOUR OWN point of view. That’s partially why I feel that if you need a think tank before launching “your vision"- you shouldn't be called a designer.
Why is it ok to label someone a “designer” when they don’t have formal training or experience? Shouldn't there be a test before you receive the title? We don’t call people doctors because they can wrap your ankle in an ace bandage or because they hand you paxil when you are depressed. Lawyers & Doctors are looked at with such prestige because those are professions that require a sign off by a committee or governing body. The joke goes "What do you call someone who finishes last in med school? - A doctor.” Well at least they finished something. Do you know what they call the pothead working at the local Copymat that's making business cards in Microsoft Word? Or the teenager with puff-paint, a Bedazzler and 12 American Apparel t-shirts? A designer! WTF?
The bigger point is- every craft has intricacies that the untrained eye doesn't understand. Ignorance isn’t just “bliss”… It’s also called “ignorance.” Every one has ideas, but how you execute them is what warrants the "designer" title. With technology being so accessible it makes the process seem simple, but a computer program can't make up for what you don’t know! Adobe can’t tell you the difference between a woven and a knit. These are just tools, how you use and understand them is the real skill.
What is your take on all of this? Please leave your feedback in the comments area...
- Sidney
pt.2 tomorrow*
Sidney Deane is our local, loud-mouthed, trash talking designer! His point of view comes from 10+ years working in the industry as a creative director, consultant and enthusiastic sports fan! He'll be bringing you all of his rants each & every month- so stay on the lookout for more.
Reader Comments (5)
Hilarious! Fuck Kanye - he can design the invitation to kissing my ass!
You know what? Fuck everybody. Let people do what they want. Except Christian Audigier. Fuck that pu**y a$$ b:tch
This is great, as someone who works for a Creative Art school, not enough people understand that it actually takes brains and creativity to be a designer... it's not just something you fall into... all of those "Rappers" that have clothing lines, or contribute to clothing lines, have people who are well-versed and heavy in the industry to bounce ideas off of, and many times as the creative mind behind the line. Great insight.
Sounds like you're ranting about the idea that "money and fame can buy a person anything, including personal accomplishments." And I couldn't agree with your viewpoint more! Money and fame can be a mask. Money and fame can make a person, but that's only on the surface. This outer layer is what people that can't see (because they don't really look), see. Personal accomplishments, and the glory that goes with it, don't originate from the surface. The come from within. They come from the multitude of events and experiences and education and personal proclivity (which some concider gene related) and environment that created the real person inside of you. Creativity/creation comes from here. Can't buy it. It's not really for sale! It's made with blood, sweat and tears (and smiles too).
Everyone really is a designer. It all depends on what they are designing and what they actually plan to do with it. Creating designs for me are both stress relieving and a great way to express ones self.
Jessica Star