Conclusions

Abstract

This final chapter summarizes the material presented in this volume, the lessons learned from the case studies, and includes a brief look to the future. Tools for art and design (such as stone, pencil, paintbrush, or iPad) and collaboration opportunities are increasing. Artists and designers are products of their immediate environments to a greater or lesser extent and have both contributed to it, and received cultural benefits from it. Thus, there has been cultural and social interplay between artists and designers and the contextual setting of their artworks and designs. Collaboration across different kinds of creative environments and works can be difficult and challenging because of the cultural norms and assumptions that may be made by different artists. However, it is clear that design processes (particularly for large and extensive projects) can benefit from the involvement of all interested parties from an early stage. The digital revolution has created a connected world. The consequences for artist, designer, art galleries, and museums are significant. Galleries, exhibitions, artists, and designers now operate in a global world as well as the local one. The digital world has also provided many user-friendly tools and facilities at often relatively low cost, or open source, for the artist and designer. It has facilitated the production of new kinds of art, interactive art, and installation art not fully possible before. This has opened up new creative opportunities and horizons for the artist and designer. Modern information technology has also provided low-cost multimedia interfaces and virtual reality. The lessons learned from the case studies are reviewed and summarized.