9/ 23 Tom Igoe Response

This was an interesting read. It is of course always fascinating to read about how others view what we call art, but Igoe's understanding of what he does is especially interesting.

Igoe says that the most interesting work tends tends to not come from engineers or artists, but from people who identify as designers. Where do they differ? Is it in the intentionality? Is it beacause designers straddle the space between engineers and artists? Between creativity and utilitarianism?

I really like how he says that his intro to physical computing class is hands-on. I really agree with him when he says you learn best by doing. Its always easier to learn something when there's a goal, an endgame that your trying to reach rather than aimless theory and patchwork learning.

Igoe says, "Application should drive technology." Also a very good point, like the whole evolutionary "form follows function" thing that pretty much everything that has ever lived follows. His philosophy seems to be 'see what works', trying to find applications for old tech and new tech that might not match with their intended application.

"In general, I advise students not to think of their careers in such a cut-and-dried way, however. Very few people are "pure" artists, and in general, I find the work of those who are less interesting than those who work at both art and design and commercial work. I think you learn so much from working for and with others that strengthens your artwork that you'd be a fool not to collaborate or work for others from time to time, at least. " -Igoe