The Wim Crouwel and Jan van Toorn Debate:
Wim Crouwel believes graphic design should be objective in order to not disrupt the message from sender to receiver which can become distorted through a subjective approach, as an objective approach allows for the message to be conveyed clearly through an scientific and organised approach to design. However in contrast Toorn believes design should be subjective as this approach creates varied and interesting responses which allows the 'viewer to arrive at a view of his own'. Consequently producing work that isn't clear and causes the audience to draw there own conclusions as Toorn is not afraid to experiment to produce work that is unexpected and varied. Both men have completed work for Jan Dibbets which was discussed within the debate as Crouwel attempted saw his role as a mediator who needed to translate the message in clear objective whereas Toorn accepted what Dibbets wanted to feature within the catalogue but felt he needed to find a stance/attitude to base his work on. In conclusion this debate fails to reach a definitive conclusion on whether design should be objective or subjective as both men have very strong views which define their individual approach to design.
Personally I feel design needs to be both objective and subjective as it depends on the brief your working on. In some cases a very structured and scientific approach to design is necessary when important information needs to be conveyed in a clear manner such as within a protest. However I feel a subjective approach to design can produce more interesting and effective results as you produce work that is unexpected and causes the audience to think allowing for variety within your work, as an objective approach can produce work with little innovation over time which can begin to look similar and boring.
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