Why Art History Matters for Designers
People often ask what I actually do as a designer. Most assume it’s just logos and websites. I’m a little embarrassed to admit it, but sometimes I brush it off and say, “I make things look pretty.” In a world where jobs in the arts are often dismissed in favour of so-called “proper” jobs, it can feel like what I do doesn’t really matter. Explaining that design is more than decoration, and that it shapes how people see, think, and connect, can feel like it sits in the too hard basket.
But with the news that Art History is being removed from the New Zealand secondary school curriculum, I realised I need to change the way I talk about this. Writing art history off as something that “doesn’t matter” is not only short-sighted, it feeds into that narrative and ignores the huge role art plays in shaping society, culture, and communication. And when it comes to design, art history is not just relevant, it is essential. It guides how I work every day and even how I see the world.
So how does this actually show up in my work? It’s not like I’m sitting around analysing Renaissance paintings before I design a logo. But the principles I learnt in art history weave into my process every day. It has built my ability to read and interpret styles, symbols, and references and to use them intentionally. By understanding the language of imagery, I can make design choices that feel purposeful rather than arbitrary.
It also gives me an endless source of inspiration. Whether it’s the colour palettes of Impressionism, the grid structures of Bauhaus, or the storytelling of Renaissance painting, there is a creative library stretching back centuries that I can draw from whenever I need ideas. At the same time, it has made me more aware of cultural context. By learning how different cultures have expressed themselves through art, I can design in a way that respects those traditions and avoids falling back on clichés. This makes the work connect with people in a more genuine and thoughtful way.
Studying art history also taught me to think critically. It pushed me to ask why something looks the way it does and what message it carries. That same thinking helps me solve design problems today. I am not only focused on how something looks, but on whether it communicates clearly and with purpose. I don’t design to decorate, I design to communicate.
And perhaps most importantly, art history helped me learn how to justify my design choices to clients. Drawing on creative and historical references gives weight to my rationale. It allows me to show that a particular colour, image, or layout is not just a random decision but part of a visual language with significance. That makes it easier for clients to see the reasoning and trust the design process.
In the end, art history matters because it shows us that design is never just about making things look nice. It is about ideas, culture and communication. For me, it isn’t something I studied once and left behind, it is something I use every single day.