Specialists & Generalist
A specialist is expected to have deep knowledge and experience in what they do. There are thousands of different design specialities, and each one of them caters to business needs in a different way. Whether is is software or User Experience Design, a specialist will focus all of their time on putting out their very best in their field. They get to block out all the noise and tension of the design business and focus on their speciality. Then main focus in on what they do and how it applies to the client.
A generalist has a different approach from the speicialist. Instead of knowing absolutely everything in one are of design, they have a vast amount of skills that span across a variety of areas. They can be called on by the cilent for several reasons. And they often work with a specialist to help finish up the fine details of a project.
Technologist/Craftsman
Technology is a huge role in today's design world. Design technology is constantly growing and getting better. This makes design fast, easier and quicker than ever before. However, this has not stopped the more old styles of design from being popular. Many designers are still romanced with the old methods. These include but are not limited to: letterpresses, screen-printed posters and typessetting with lead letter pieces. It give their end production a personal look and feel.
Other designers like the quickness and ease of using technology. Leaning on digital tools right away in a design career however can take away from learning design concepts and how to pull a design together.
Fine Artist/Applied Artist
Applied arts are more for something that is beautiful to look at or for ornamentation and not to be studied. But the emotional response that you can receive from the audience can for sure be used in business. Anything that creates feelings and emotions can drive sales, increase brand loyality and reduce costs. Fine artists tipical do not have this list of goals in mind. This often can lead to problems between the artist and the client. Many fine artists do not want their work used to promote products or to make sales sky rocket. A fine artist has a place in design that is to inspire and create for art's sake, and do so on their own time while working another job.