Art vs. Design

I think that both works of fine art and design visually convey the artist/creator's personal style as well as the reason for which the work was produced. I agree with Norman Potter's assertion that design has a more practical value for humans for, in addition to being appealing to the eye, it has a easily discernible function. For example, designs can be used to make websites easier to navigate and messages more appealing to read. Although all fine art mediums have the ability to communicate through, tone, content, and style, they provide the observer with more freedom. Design on the other hand, has a more specific function to carry out and will often "instruct" an onlooker to think certain thoughts or alter their actions to accommodate the intentions of the design they are confronted with. Regardless of the ways in which they differ, I feel that both fine art and design are essential to a healthy and functioning community.