Artist or technician?

Question

I find this question on some forum, so I am interested what do you think.

Is Sound designer artist or technician?

Some say it should be added Psychologist?

score 11 · Answer 1 · answered Dec 13 '10 at 09:46

11

It depends on the person, not the title

answered Dec 13 '10 at 09:46

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Wholeheartedly agree, and I'd argue that's why the field is so fascinating. Humans and sound are both far too complex to yield an easy this-or-that, right-or-wrong answer.
I might add that it sometimes even depends on your role on a project, even for the same person, since some gigs need more tech expertise and others need more raw creativity.
– NoiseJockey Dec 13 '10 at 15:26

score 8 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 13 '10 at 10:06

8

Definitely both. Creativity and technical ability are both essential characteristics in our field.

answered Dec 13 '10 at 10:06

Colin Hunter

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score 3 · Answer 3 · answered Dec 13 '10 at 13:06

I do believe that it is important to be both as having the technical aptitude in this day and age is important but creativity is essential to being a sound designer because you are painting a film with sound and it is important to be emotionally in touch with the film.

score 2 · Answer 4 · answered Dec 14 '10 at 04:18

2

A GOOD sound designer knows how to achieve their art via the technical process. A sound designer without the technical knowledge to make it happen isn't much good to the project.

answered Dec 14 '10 at 04:18

Matthew Freed Audio

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Internet Human · Answer 5 · 2013-06-09T20:12:50.627

An artist is an artist.

Yes, you may operate equipment, which is also what technicians do.

Yes, you may study or be influenced/inspired by human psychology, which is what psychologists do.

But to consider an artist a technician would be a bad analogy. To consider an artist a psychologist would be a false analogy. Art is not about equipment, art is about human expression and/or the creation of beautiful or interesting things. Nor is art genuinely (in a scientific way) about human psychology. Technology (and designing, operating and installing it) on the other hand is about equipment and getting useful things done.

score 0 · Answer 6 · answered Jun 08 '13 at 00:10

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I've always been fond of the word 'craftsperson.' Implies a mix of artistry and of technical proficiency.

answered Jun 08 '13 at 00:10

SqueakyFish

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score 0 · Answer 7 · answered Dec 18 '10 at 03:02

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I don't have an answer that's better than Tim's, but to play devil's advocate - you can always hire people with better chops or ideas, but you can't get anyone else to have the relationship with the client for you.

answered Dec 18 '10 at 03:02

AdamAxbey

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score 0 · Answer 8 · answered Dec 23 '10 at 13:52

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At the end of the day a good Sound Designer is what the client want him/her to be. Never forget who pays the bills and always give the client what they want. Technical whizz, creative genius or both!

answered Dec 23 '10 at 13:52

John B

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score 0 · Answer 9 · answered Dec 23 '10 at 14:49

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Both, it is up to the client how much of an artist they let you be, but you always have to be a technician.

answered Dec 23 '10 at 14:49

Artist or technician?

9 Answers9