Robo-Artists
John Martz of robotjohnny.com posted an intriguing article the other day in regards to graphic designers and artists in general being replaced by software. It’s a heated debate amongst the graphic design community especially considering the majority of artists believe computers simply could never replace an artist. It’s evident that a computer can however replicate the works of Picasso and Van Gogh but only based on a set of instructions (or algorithms) that tell the computer to reproduce the artwork.
My comment in response to his article summed up my thoughts;
“As a graphic designer and cartoonist I am wary of these “solutions”. First of all, a computer simply cannot replace a designer or artist for that matter.
When I visited the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, CA the paintings showcased there by artists like Picasso and Van Gogh exuded human creation. I simply cannot see a computer being able to recreate (or reproduce) those works without human intervention.
Sure, a computer can scan in a drawing and randomly apply algorithms to replicate the look of brushstrokes, but the essense of any art piece is that of the artist himself.
Granted, I’m not against utilizing the computer to aide in your art but the computer as the sole creator of masterpieces, artwork and graphic design? Never.
In a way this relates to Disney firing a good portion of their 2D artists to replace with 3D CGI. Nothing spells doom than a world without the intervention of humans. I’m envisioning a Terminator universe and that’s scary.”
2 Comments, Comment or Ping
beto
The PCMag article clearly states the technology is still on its infancy, and that its main uses will probably be focused on the business tech field. Think MS Publisher 2010.
Not something I’d worry about.
Oct 17th, 2003
kartooner
Good to know, beto. However, I personally believe that a machine simply could not take 100% control in regards to art and design. Sure, we use programs like Photoshop or Flash as tools but the important aspect of design is two simple tools:
Pencil and Paper.
Your thoughts?
Oct 17th, 2003
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