The Craftsman's Spirit
Two Worlds Collide: Designers and Craftsmen - A blog around design, craftsmanship, and working with your hands.
I love handmade things and feel lucky to surround myself with people who are both talented creators and great friends. I attended an event that involved a mix of artisans and designers selling their work. During this gathering, I encountered some designers who were arrogant. I didn't understand what it was that made them feel superior.
It was not just when dealing with artists whose work they were selling—it happened when they were talking to their customers in attendance, too! They had an inflated sense of ownership over their business simply because they sold it to some big-name clients. —a truly despicable attitude that has become more and more common in our field over the years. No matter how good the product was, I did not feel like buying it.
It somehow did not come across as a surprise. I believe some designers confuse confidence with cockiness. Has anyone here been treated condescendingly by a designer?
The same event had me floored by the skill and humility of the artisans. These artisans have been practising their craft for many generations; they were proud of their heritage. They were so good at what they did that I sometimes thought ego might get in the way, but no matter who was watching them—whether it was an important client or just another person like myself sitting there trying to have a conversation—They were humble and unassuming. Their traditions were so deep-seated that they sought knowledge from everyone. Their dedication to their craft and how they interacted reflected a sense of belonging. Buying from an artisan provided me with a sense of fulfilment that buying from a designer did not.
The two worlds I observed seemed to have very different understandings of life. It struck me that the biggest difference between designers and craftspeople is not that one makes products and the other doesn't. It's not even about skill level - While designing has been reduced to education and brand precedence, mastery over a craft requires practice and patience. Humility comes from knowing that there is always more to learn—and something new to try. The humblest people I know are often the ones who work with their hands. I may be generalising here, but I would love to see you prove me wrong
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Working with my hands taught me to appreciate the process more than the results. That's why I believe so many craftspeople have a humble spirit: they are less concerned about being right and more interested in doing whatever it takes to get their work done well. I call it the craftsman's spirit!
If you've had a similar experience, please share your story with me!