What is Applied Art?

Art is the expression of human creativity through various mediums, most of which are visual. The applied arts are a subsection of arts that include both design and decoration alongside practical objects in order to make them aesthetically pleasing.

One of the criticisms of fine art is that it is not a particularly useful expression of human creativity. Yes, paintings are pretty to look at, and sculptures add personality to a room, but they serve no greater purpose beyond that. Instead, they are mere decorative instruments. 

However, while that criticism may be valid for paintings and sketches, not art can be generalized under this stereotype. 

To learn more about art that has practical use, read on to explore the wonderful world of applied art.

Applied art definition

Applied art is defined as artistic designs made for utilitarian objects in everyday use. 

Works of fine art are often defined as high arts because they serve no purpose other than providing aesthetic or intellectual stimulus to people who view it and are designed to increase the aesthetic appeal of the room they are put in. 

In contrast to fine art, applied arts make functional objects more aesthetically pleasing. That means that these objects are designed so that the results are useful and aesthetically enjoyable at the same time. 

Because of this fusion between creativity and function, applied art embraces an enormous range of products and items, ranging from doorknobs, tables, airports, railway station, concert hall walls and roof, a fountain pen, a walking stick, a siren, an alarm clock or a computer mouse. The applied arts overlap with decorative arts, and the modern form of applied art is now typically called design.

Why are crafts called the applied arts?

Crafts are applied arts because they serve their function and are also aesthetically pleasing at the same time. For example, a decorative plate, rug, or metalcraft is both a work of art and a practical item.

Applied art examples

• Industrial design: mass-produced objects.
• Sculpture: also counted as fine art.
• Architecture: also counted as fine art.
• Crafts: also counted as fine art.
• Ceramic art: Ceramics are used to craft tiles and bathroom applications.
• Automotive design: The design of cars to make them faster and prettier.
• Fashion design: Designing clothes to be lighter, softer, more comfortable, and more stunning than ever before.
• Calligraphy: Writing important information in the most aesthetically pleasing manner imaginable.
• Interior design: Done so that your house is optimally spaced while looking as good as possible.

What is the purpose of applied arts?

Applied art aims to create a product that can provide its required function with the utmost efficiency while also providing a sense of beauty and aesthetic with its design. By contract, fine arts only desire to create an artwork that serves no other purpose.

What is considered an applied art?

Art that is not just made for aesthetic purposes but also has an interactive, design, or problem-solving goal as part of a greater purpose is called applied art.

What are the types of applied arts?

Works of applied art comprise two different types: 

1. Standard machine-made products with a particular design are applied to them to make them more attractive and easier to use. 

2. Individually crafted, aesthetically pleasing but primarily functional, craft products made by artisans or skilled workers that serve a defined purpose. Artistic disciplines classified as applied arts include industrial design, fashion design, interior design, and graphic art and design (including computer graphics). 

This and most types of decorative art (e.g., furniture, carpets, tapestry, embroidery, batik, jewelry, precious metalwork, pottery, goldsmithing, basketry, mosaic art, and glassware). Illuminated manuscripts and later book illustrations are also known as applied arts. Not only these but architecture is best viewed as an applied art.