Artists and designers, such as ourselves in G. Limgenco Arkitekto, share a common dilemma: understanding the worth of our work. There’s no straightforward method in arriving at this, as there are several aspects that influence and determine the value of design. Design, style, and art are such subjective disciplines, that while one person would appreciate your work, another can inversely despise it. When art and design is your source of livelihood, it is important to know how to put a price tag on your work. In general, there are two positions that decide if your work is a masterpiece, or a master piece of shit.
The first is the artist himself. This may seem arbitrary, as any egotistic creator can proclaim his/her work as valuable. But the truth is, the artist/designer is in the best position in knowing how good or bad his/her own work is. And as long as he/she is being honest to him/herself, the artist should be self aware of the level of his/her skills: apprentice-novice-intemediate-advanced-master. Another factor is the amount of time and care a designer puts into the work. Even a master will sometimes create quick works. At a master’s level, even quick works could be considered good work, but it would still be very distinguishable from the intricacies of passion projects. Bottomline, the creator him/herself has authority in judging his/her own output.
Ultimately, however, it is also the recipient or viewer of the work that gives value to any creative output. One cannot force another to appreciate a work of art in the same way he/she does. Beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder. The final analysis to give thumbs or a middle finger boils down to experience. What is the experience of the viewer upon seeing, using, or walking through the work of art? What experiences in the viewer’s past resurfaced and were provoked by it? It is then that all objectivity becomes trivial. Feelings, emotion, they take control. The same piece will evoke various reactions from different individuals.
Information is key. Sometimes, the more we know about the piece or the artist, our perception of its value may change, usually for the better. Knowing the process, the history of the artist, legitimizes its worth.
Does it matter then, if your audience likes your work or not? The truth is, sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn’t. In giving value from the recipients’ point of view, it does. It does, once the numbers come in play. The law of averages come into play. It follows the ratings approval system found similarly in restaurant reviews or movie reviews. At this point, statistics, comments, and feedback are what determine value.
For the artist, it then becomes important to understand who your audience is. Are you designing for one individual or the general public?
