I say puh-tay-toe, you say puh-ta-toe…does it really matter?
Some people think so.
Semantics are rearing their head in an ugly way in the scrapbook world. Debates about such topics as “are scrapbookers artists?” and “what is a designer?” are becoming increasingly common in certain forums. And take an ugly turn surprisingly easily.
Is it elitist for Suzy Scrapbooker to call herself a designer, an artist, or even a life artist? Should her workspace be called a scraproom, a studio, or something else?
Does it have to be just one of those things?
Words have various meanings to various people. How to label what you do should change according to the situation, so that the person with whom you are communicating best understands you. When I am around other scrapbookers, I sometimes use the term designer. It’s already assumed that I am a scrapbooker. The term designer thus defines within that setting what kind of scrapbooker I am: one with a professional role. The term designer is also the appropriate term to use at trade shows during introductions to separate my role from the buyers on the show floor. But if I meet one of the other parents in my daughter’s class and they ask what I do, “designer” is too vague. It could mean any number of types of design without the assumption that I am involved in scrapbooking already in place. In that situation, I have gone with “scrapbooker” or something similar to minimize confusion.
The same shifting terminology applies to my workspace as well. To my family I refer to it alternately as “my scraproom,” “my office,” and “the guest room” (even though the spare twin bed shoved in the corner has probably long since seen it’s last guest). It’s sometimes even “Mommy’s room” when I’m talking to my 3 year-old daughter. Outside the family, to strangers it’s usually “my office” unless I know I’m talking to a scrapbooker and then I will use “scraproom”.
I’m not changing myself or my room when I change the terms that I use to describe myself or my space. I’m simply changing my vocabulary to fit the situation and be clear and understood since in different situations certain words will communicate better than others my meaning.
Scrapbooker, Designer, Studio, Scraproom…it’s all just semantics. What matters is that we love what we are doing – no matter what we call it.
It is a good discussion…
Honestly, I don’t like the term “designer” for a scrapper who makes layouts to be published. Unfortunately, I don’t know another term to use. I think a designer is one who makes product. I do understand at trade shows and such, it is the term to use, so you don’t have much choice.
I think in the industry the term designer has been used to be derrogatory to those who are not published. Maybe that is my sensitivity? I don’t know. I don’t have a desire to be published, but scrapping is much more than a hobby for me. So where do I fit in, you know? There has become this division of designers and just scrappers. There has to be other ways to describe ourselves that doesn’t leave one or the other feeling negatively, no? Or maybe we just need to learn to be more respectful with what we say and how we say it?
Ever since that mega thread on 2Peas of yours, this sort of thing has been on my mind, so I am glad you brought it up again. I think your tone is different this time – and I am taking what you are saying in a more positive way. I appreciate that.
I think in this industry full of mainly women, we are often making too many assumptions and judgements of others. We have all been guilty of it too. I agree the most with your last statement, we all love scrapping, so we need to lift each other in any way we can – instead of putting each other down.
It is just semantics – if these words are be using just as a descriptor of what we each do, so be it. If it is being used to be judgemental or nasty, that is another thing, don’t you agree? I often feel like I am not viewed as worthy just because I am not published. That really shouldn’t be the case. Scrapping is just as important to me as it is to others. Again, it is more than a hobby for me. I don’t know where that leaves me though.
I don’t like to say I am a scrapbooker. I think that often has a negative connotation. It’s funny though, my room is almost always called my scraproom. I tried calling it my studio, but felt very silly. A friend and I decided to use “creative space,” but if I used that my kids would say “what?!?!?” LOL.
I have babbled…good topic! Thanks for sharing.