Has advanced technology in creative practices destroyed traditional art forms, or simply created a new world of opportunities for designers? While some may argue that ‘true’ creativity comes from manual pencil to paper or paint to canvas work, we cannot deny that new technological tools expand original limitations to creative art forms.
There seems to be endless possibilities as ‘developing a new medium brings an entirely new art form into existence’ (Mitchell, Inouye & Blumenthal, 2003). This of course encourages computer science researchers into generating as many tools achievable for the expansion and growth of various art and design practices. This should stir excitement and transformation into the industry with new techniques and forms being created at this very moment. We are no longer confined to the constraints of traditional art but instead living in a period of endless possibilities to creativity. If we continued to repeat forms of the past without embracing new technologies, we would be refusing the discovery of ‘new expressive possibilities and genres’ (Mitchell, Inouye & Blumenthal, 2003).
In our fast pace technology driven lifestyles of today, we naturally never want to be left behind. Coupled with creative skills, you need up to date knowledge of technological software used within your creative practice. This has lead to the declining interest of traditional arts and craft to the rise of digital, technological driven art. Why would you restrict yourself to a minority craft, when searching for public visibility and recognition?
University art departments in the UK noticed these changes over the years, undergoing structural changes to suit the creative needs of students. As they struggle to protect traditional art and designs practices such as ceramics and glass-making, they are constantly forced to expand and upgrade in expensive technology software. From 2002 – 2006 the number of students enrolled in art and design courses rose from 72,235 to 79,530. As the demand for art and design increased you can see changes within traditionally favoured courses. While fine art increased only slightly, graphic design almost doubled in size going from 4,645 students in 2002 to 8,190 in 2006. Interactive and electronic design also doubled as calligraphy, along with other crafts, ultimately plummeted.
Teachers worry that students are producing finished products, unaware of the basic skills and techniques of design. “Basically, you don’t have to know how to use dyes and weave to design for woven textiles, because you can do it on a computer,” says Tuckett. “What I worry about, is that by the time we see what’s happened (the loss of core art and design skills teaching), it may be too late” (Tuckett, 2008).
Everything has been affected, from graphics, art and game design to film photography and music. While the positives are increasingly evident in most practices, due to technological advances, I see a loss with traditional music. Yes technology allows us to capture a performance within a recording but technology also destroys creative spontaneity and raw musical skill and technique within a live performance. Many people now known as ‘musicians’ are composing their music entirely on computers. ‘The computer can now be the performer’ (Mitchell, Inouye & Blumenthal, 2003).
A musician is generally defined as a musically talented and skilled person who can play an instrument. Now you can call yourself a musician by turning knobs and clicking buttons. So can anyone be a musician? Obviously is takes a sense of creativity to create any music, however you can’t really compare a live Jimmy Hendrix or Jimi page guitar solo to a digitally created DJ set. In an area such as music, I believe advanced technology software will never replace the true creativity of traditional musical talent!!!
References
Mitchell, W., Inouye, A., Blumenthal, S., (2003). Beyond Productivity: Information Technology, Innovation Creativity. Washington: The National Academies Press
Tuckett, S (2008). Artistic licence. Retrieved May, 4th 2011 from http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=402969
sarahelvin 
Interesting post, Sarah. As someone with a decent basic music education but a love of ‘turning knobs and clicking buttons’ I’m not sure I agree 100%. Maybe, though, that’s because no matter how hard I try I’ll never play a guitar like Hendrix!
Yes, I am very sure it would be a very rare thing for anyone to play like Hendrix and still belive that technological music will never beat the real thing!!