Do you know what your favorite artistic style is? Do you prefer abstract, contemporary, retro, art nouveau, expressionism, folk art, romanticism, realism, naive, cartoon, or surrealism? As you know, the list of art styles could go on and on. Which style do you prefer? Why is it important to know?

Everyone may know their favorite style of art on a subconscious level, but everyone may not know on a conscious level. It's good to know on a conscious level, because we are faced with design choices everyday. We make design decisions every time we purchase clothing for ourselves or others. Design decisions don't end there, when we decorate or furnish our homes, inadvertently we choose our favorite artistic styles.

As we make these everyday design decisions, it's good to keep in mind the importance of unity. For instance, retro and folk art do not necessarily complement each other when used together. So, how can we raise our awareness?

Think about unity as you look around the room, painting, movie, clothing, or whatever you are interested in critiquing. Try to breakdown the separate components. If you don't know, start with the Internet and key-in "artistic styles" or "surrealism" (or similar words) into a search engine and start exploring.

Another way to go about finding or identifying your favorite design style would be to tear out images in magazines and save them in a binder. After awhile, you will see an artistic pattern emerge, and it should become clear as to what you prefer. Once you discover what you love the most, try to identify the style. This process should make designing a bit easier and give you a better understanding for what you love the most.

Debbie Jensen, Graphic Designer and Photographer http://www.debjensendesigns.com

• Whats Going On In Your Life?


• Try, Try Again


• Unity: Why Its a Design Principle


• Comic Books History - Part III


• A Peruvian Christmas Tale (in Spanish and English)


• The Fable of Big Chest: The Assemblage (Part Two; Chaper one)


• Nightmare Well (A Poem-With Commentary)


• Tales of Poseidonia (Atlantis Dark Powers; Part I)


• Aforgomons Creation [Poetic Prose]


• Comic Books History - Part I