Architects and graphic designers working together

[Arne]

Do you think that architects and graphic designers working together, can have added value to a project?

[shim-n-caulk]

Sometimes, the only perceived value of architects ARE the graphics that show the design.

[elisa kouloumenta]

the truth of architecture is not the graphic part, but sometimes graphics can help to attract the interest and advertise better the idea.then again, this can be dangerous because even nothing can be shown as the best project through graphics.

[Arne]

But what about integrating graphic design into a building?

[lekizz]

It depends where you draw the line between graphic design and 'art'. Architects often work with 'artists' to design colour schemes, murals manifestations and other applied decoration.

What do you see as the difference between working with a 'graphic designer' and an 'artist'?

[yarchitect]

i dont think so... graphic is only the visualization = impression.... but architecture is not!

[Arne]

I think a graphic designer is capable of more than just a visualization. A designer can be conceptual involved at the start of a project (naturally not all architectural projects). Well... at least I would love to experiment with this.

[lekizz]

But architecture is a 3-dimensional discipline.

Graphic design is 2-dimensional, is it not? Its usefulness is limited in architectural design.

Unless you mean the graphic design of presentations and drawings, which is only a small part of acrhitecture.

[Arne]

I understand the difference between 2 and 3D, but somewhere the two meet... this can be in a color schemes, typography, murals. But I think during the creative process there can be some other surprising exchanges of ideas.

Naturally, I'm talking about an exchange of ideas on a conceptual level.

[elisa kouloumenta]

architecture is about the space. i would admire an architect who could convince about his work without any illustrated designs, or any impressive graphics, even without saying anythin about what and why he did. that's my idea about architecture. if anything is the way it has to be, i think the architect doesn't have to do anything else.

[Kevin]

Still, good wayfinding aids - i.e. signage writ large - can help people navigate a building or complex more calmly and successfully, enhancing the experience of architecture in a very practical way. I think this aspect is often underestimated...

[Arne]

That's true. But good signage is more than just convenient; It's an important part of how you experience the building. It should be an intricate part of the building.

[ding.design]

indeed my friend.

[Arne]

I started this topic because I'm working for a new international creative network. Our members are graphic, 3D and interactive designers, artists, illustrators etc. We are still organizing ourself and would like to team up with one or more architects.

[mx2]

The simple problem of pairing up disciplines is always the same: the schedule and fee are not equivalent and the overlap creates issues if one tries to create a single umbrella company. Even in multi-disciplinary companies (ie, A&E firms that provide M-E-P, Structural, Civl, etal services), even they end up out-sourcing their various departments to keep them busy during the interim. An Architect may spend 6 months working on a project while the engineer may spend one month. What will a graphic designer be doing for 6 months, 5 days a week, during the length of a project?

mx2