De Guzman, Jeztine Riz C.

TFA 180 - Exam One

PART ONE: ROADMAP TO DESIGN

The evolution of design has always remained constant, although, influenced by societal
changes whether cultural, technological, etc. Humans and their ability to adapt played a
massive role in the development of design throughout history.

TOOLS → ABSTRACTION → INDUSTRIALIZATION

Though design’s origins have never been clear, according to John Heskett, humans first
learned about design unconsciously through the use of tools. By using natural objects found in
their environment, they crafted objects that were tailored to their needs as extensions of their
abilities. Rocks shaped to cut sharply, spears for hunting, and even their shelters were early
forms of design they created unknowingly. It was a clear indication of their potential for
adaptation and showed how humans can provide solutions to their problems. Their ability to
determine basic forms and functions through the use of pre-existing materials in the natural
environment was the manifestation of design in the early ages. Eventually, this led to the
development of techniques that became interwoven with people’s way of life and culture and
became a standard in their communities.1

This ability to create then yielded to humans acquiring knowledge over the years. A
“process of inquiry and the accumulation of knowledge and understanding”, according to
Heskett, was learned and improved their way of thinking through the use of concepts and
allowed them to generalize ideas to specific problems through abstraction. They learned to
make deeper sense of concepts, and purpose, and build a wider connection to the world.
Eventually, the tools they created became not just solutions to their problems and means for
their survival, but they learned about the dynamic process of innovation. Abstraction of ideas
paved the way for the idea of ‘customization’.2

Thus began production. Customization allowed design to play an integral role in the
constantly changing world. Modifications were constantly introduced and over the years, and
guilds and craftsmen with specialized skills began to dominate production. And in the
mid-eighteenth century, design became integral to society through industrialization. The age
where innovations and the abundance of commerce came to rise, also paved the way for design
De Guzman, Jeztine Riz C.
TFA 180 - Exam One
to become an industry itself. The demand for goods and services also skyrocketed that people
started developing a preference or taste for design. “To stimulate markets, products need to be
changed constantly” said Heskett. This was a huge factor in the evolution of design and its
practices and to this day, it continues to evolve and shape our lives through, from the very
beginning, adaptation.3

It is indeed a repetitive historical pattern like Heskett said. Design will always be evolving
through time and creativity is an integral part of it.

Notes

1. See Heskett, especially page 9 paragraph 2, for further description and discussion of the
tools in the origins of Design.
2. See Heskett, especially pages 11-13, for further description and discussion of
abstraction.
3. See Heskett, especially page 14, for further description and discussion of customization
and mass production.

PART TWO: WHAT WOULD BENJAMIN DO

Artificial intelligence, is it Art?

AI is currently one of the most controversial topics in the art industry recently. Artificial
Intelligence or AI is a new field of digital art that allows a person to work with computer
programs that mimic the human mind to create images and visuals. It’s been around for years
now but according to an article by Adam Hencz from Artland Magazine, the idea of these
creative machines started in the 19th century. Several websites for AI generators are currently
widespread in the Internet, allowing it to be accessible to millions of people. It allows them to
create their own visual art through even simple lines, and they will be transformed into however
style they want may it be realism, abstraction or others. It is indeed a milestone that can make
creating art easier especially for those who dont specialize in it.
De Guzman, Jeztine Riz C.
TFA 180 - Exam One
Unfortunately, there have been several issues surrounding AI art and is being accused of
plagiarism. Part of AI’s function is using existing images on the Internet to create something new
out of it, which means all types of images posted by everyone online can be used (without
consent) by the AI generator. This directly affects artists who specialize in their craft and it
triggered the creators who actually made the efforts through long hours of labor to create their
artworks. And with the rise of AI generators across the Internet, artists are starting to question
whether they will soon be replaced by AI, if only for the convenience of the consumers. This
problem is indeed concerning, knowing all the years of training they do to master their abilities.
Just to be replaced by something ‘convenient’. An artists capabilities is still, however,
unmatched by these technological advancements. Artists ability to have a personal connection
and a deeper sense of understanding concepts is still a valuable asset an AI generator can
never have.

AI art can be useful and can still increase creativity, but these ethical concerns should
never go unnoticed. We’ve had real artists for generations, far more valuable than these AI
generated artist wannabes.

PART THREE: GAME-CHANGER