Once Upon a Design: The Myth of the Storytelling Artist

Once upon a time, in a world brimming with creativity and color lived a tribe of artists, designers, and architects. They were the dream weavers, the visionaries, the creators of beauty and function.

And they all shared one common belief: they were storytellers. But were they? Were they really? Or was this just a fairy tale they told themselves?

Let's dive into narrative theory and see if we can separate the true storytellers from the pretenders. This plunge may get a little uncomfortable, so bring a paper bag!

First, let's get one thing straight: a story, in its purest form, is a narrative of transformation driven by conflict. At its core, it involves characters, events, a beginning, a middle, and an end. It often takes the form of a journey, an adventure, a vertiginous roller coaster of highs and lows that leads to a resolution.

Now, let's look at our friends in the creative fields. They create beautiful, inspiring, thought-provoking works. They often evoke great emotion or deep reflection. But do these works tell a story?

Take abstract art, for example. A swirl of colors on a canvas might evoke a mood or emotion. It might represent the artist's inner turmoil or perception of the world(ala Rothko). It might assert philosophical points about humanity and perception(ala Magritte). But does it tell a story? Does it have characters, events, conflict, or transformation? Or is it more like a single frame, a snapshot of a moment or a feeling, rather than a narrative that unfolds over time?

On the other hand, consider sequential art, like comic books or graphic novels. Here, we have clear characters and events. We see the characters struggle, change, and grow. There's a clear beginning, middle, and end. This, my friends, is a story.

So, what's the difference? Why do some visual artists tell stories while others don't?

The key lies in the element of time. A story unfolds over time. It takes us on a journey from point A to point B. But many forms of visual art, like painting or architecture, are static. They present a single moment or idea, not a sequence of events. The viewer can infer a story from the work, but the narrative is not explicit; Hell, it's not even clearly sequential.

This doesn't mean that these works are any less valuable or impactful. They can still convey powerful ideas and emotions, stimulate the imagination, and provoke thought and discussion. But their tools are ill-suited to storytelling; they're honed for different tasks. And when these creatives insist their work tells a Story, it usually means it's reinforcing a story told elsewhere but not actually telling one of its own.

So, to all the designers, artists, and architects out there: keep creating, inspiring, and challenging our perceptions. But remember, not all art is a story. And that's okay. After all, who needs a fairy tale when reality can be just compelling and evocative?

And to those who insist on calling themselves storytellers, I say: show me the conflict, the transformation, the journey. Otherwise, you're just telling me a tall tale. And we all know how those end, don't we?

The next time you hear someone say, "I'm a storyteller," take it with a grain of salt. Or better yet, ask them to tell you a story. You might be surprised by what you hear. Or don't hear.

In the end, a picture may be worth a thousand words, but a story? That's priceless. 

Okay, that's not fair; both Stories and Artworks are priceless. Let's appreciate each for its unique and generous expression of our humanity and intellect. The world needs better Art and better Stories, but they don't always have to be in the same place at the same time.

Charles Merritt Houghton

2 August 2023